MLB Player News

Nunez isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Nunez will get a chance to regroup Saturday after going just 3-for-35 (.086) with three steals and eight strikeouts across his last dozen games. CJ Abrams will slide over to shortstop as a result, allowing Jorbit Vivas to start at second base.

Ruiz (head) will start at catcher and bat eighth Saturday against the Dodgers, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Ruiz will return to the starting nine for the first time since taking a foul tip off his mask during Wednesday's game against Atlanta. The 28-year-old has been productive when in the lineup recently, slashing .348/.411/.470 with two homers, nine RBI and eight runs scored across 73 plate appearances since the beginning of August.

Judge (ribs) is expected to face live pitching Monday at Yankee Stadium, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Judge began taking batting practice on the field Friday, and his graduation to facing live pitching during New York's upcoming scheduled day off keeps him on track to return sometime during the team's homestand next week. Manager Aaron Boone said that Judge will likely require some kind of build-up plan other than a traditional minor-league rehab assignment, suggesting the 34-year-old may be limited to five to seven innings per game or given regular off days once activated.

The Athletics optioned Morris to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

Morris will be jettisoned off the big-league roster after giving up five earned runs in just 2.2 innings during his start Friday against Seattle. Seth Johnson will come up from Triple-A to add depth to the Athletics' bullpen while the team sorts out its rotation plans.

The Athletics recalled Johnson from Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

Johnson carries a hefty 7.29 ERA and 2.00 WHIP through 21 innings in the majors this season, but he'll rejoin the Athletics' bullpen after giving up just one run in 5.1 Triple-A innings since being sent down to Vegas on Aug. 19. Kade Morris was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Manager John Schneider said Saturday that he hopes Bieber (shoulder) will be cleared to throw off a mound sometime next week, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Bieber has been on the shelf since Aug. 21 due to right teres major inflammation. He began throwing off flat ground Friday and will likely require another flat-ground session or two before he starts throwing off of a mound. With slightly more than three weeks remaining in the regular season, the 31-year-old righty will most likely have to wait until the postseason -- should Toronto earn a playoff spot -- before rejoining the Blue Jays' pitching staff.

Smith isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Nationals, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Smith will catch a breather after going 1-for-13 with two RBI and two runs scored in his first four games since returning from the IL. Hunter Feduccia will handle catching duties and bat ninth.

Ohtani (knee/biceps) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Nationals, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Ohtani will sit out a third consecutive game Saturday as he continues to manage soreness in his knee and biceps. The Dodgers remain hopeful that he won't require a trip to the injured list, though a move may be necessary if he isn't able to return to the lineup within the next several days. Dalton Rushing will serve as Los Angeles' designated hitter and bat seventh.

Teel is not in the White Sox's starting lineup against the Twins on Saturday.

Teel was reinstated from the injured list Friday and went 0-for-3 after fully recovering from a left high-ankle sprain. He'll be on the bench for Saturday's contest while Jake Rogers starts behind home plate and bats ninth while forming a battery with southpaw Anthony Kay.

Burke's scheduled start against the Twins on Sunday has been moved to Tuesday's series opener against the Pirates, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox have yet to name a starter for Sunday's series finale after Burke's scheduled outing was pushed back by a couple of days. Across nine starts since the All-Star break, Burke has a 2-2 record with a 2.76 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 52:21 K:BB over 49 innings.