MLB Player News

Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni said Wednesday that Early (elbow) is projected to return from the 15-day injured list in the final week of August, Byron Kerr of MLB.com reports.

After acquiring Early from the Red Sox over the weekend, the Nationals seem to be preparing for a slow buildup for the left-hander as he works his way back from elbow inflammation. He's slated to throw a two-inning simulated bullpen session within the next day or two before likely throwing a simulated game Monday in Washington, D.C. or on the road in Philadelphia. After that, Early is expected to report to an affiliate to begin a rehab assignment, and he looks like he'll need around three starts in the minors before making his Nationals debut by the end of August.

The Mets recalled Pintaro from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday.

Pintaro will serve as the 27th man on the roster for Wednesday's doubleheader versus Atlanta. The right-hander has made five relief appearances for the Mets this season, allowing seven runs with a 12:3 K:BB over 12.1 frames. Pintaro will provide the bullpen with some length.

Guerrero (hamstring) is unlikely to play Wednesday against the Nationals, Ian Quillen of MLB.com reports.

The Blue Jays have a scheduled day off Thursday, so Guerrero would get extra time to recover from the right hamstring tightness that caused him to exit Tuesday's loss in the fourth inning. The fact that Toronto is well out of the playoff picture provides less incentive to rush him back into the lineup as well. Kazuma Okamoto, who came off the bench to replace Guerrero on Tuesday, could slide across the diamond to fill in for him again Wednesday.

Seager (back) started at shortstop and went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run for Double-A Frisco on Tuesday.

Seager began a rehab assignment with Frisco and gave the RoughRiders a 2-1 lead with a solo homer in the fifth inning. His night was over after he played five innings in the field, which is normal in a player's first rehab game. The back didn't appear to be an issue for Seager, who had to range far to his right to scoop a grounder and get the final out of the third inning, Theo DeRosa of MLB.com reports. Seager is expected to play at least one more game for Frisco, after which he could be activated.

Conine is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

Conine will head to the bench along with fellow left-handed hitters Jakob Marsee, Graham Pauley and Joe Mack while the Phillies send southpaw Jesus Luzardo to the hill for the series finale. With Conine taking a seat, Javier Sanoja will pick up a start in right field.

Marsee is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

Marsee reached base four times in the first two games of the series, but the left-handed-hitting outfielder will hit the bench Wednesday while southpaw Jesus Luzardo toes the rubber for the Phillies. The Marlins will go with Esteury Ruiz in center field in the series finale.

Mack is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

Mack will rest during Wednesday's matinee after starting at catcher each of the previous three days. Brian Navarreto will be behind the dish as the Marlins go for the sweep.

Rivero (hand) began a rehab assignment Saturday and has gone 3-for-7 with a home run in his first two rehab contests.

Rivero played one rehab game in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League before being moved up to Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday. The catcher has been out since early June following left hamate bone surgery. It's not a given that Rivero will be returned to the Angels' roster once he's physically ready.

Wong went 1-for-1 with a home run and two RBI in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Athletics.

Wong entered the game in the eighth inning after starter Carlos Narvaez was removed for a pinch hitter. The Red Sox rallied from a 3-0 deficit over the final two innings, which included Wong's two-run homer in the ninth, but the rally fell short. He's batting just .182 (4-for-22) with nine strikeouts since the break.

Lowe went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run, a double and a walk in Tuesday's 8-7 extra-innings loss to the Diamondbacks.

Lowe's two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth allowed the Pirates to force extra innings, but Pittsburgh would end up losing in 12 innings. Lowe has been seeing the ball well lately, and this was his third consecutive multi-hit contest. He's hitting .314 with an .861 OPS, a homer, three doubles, five RBI and six runs scored since the All-Star break.