MLB Player News

Muncy is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in Arizona.

Muncy has played sparingly versus lefties since returning from the injured list earlier this month, though it won't be a traditional lefty starter for the Diamondbacks on Thursday as reliever Jalen Beeks serves as an opener. The left-handed-swinging Muncy could be a candidate to enter mid-game when Arizona turns to righty bulk reliever Nabil Crismatt. Enrique Hernandez is starting at third base and batting eighth for the Dodgers.

Pena (oblique) isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Thursday imaging revealed Pena suffered a strain in his left oblique that has been causing him pain while taking mild swings, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic, which could be enough for the Astros to consider placing him on the injured list. In the meantime, Mauricio Dubon will receive another start at shortstop Thursday and bat ninth.

Edman is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Arizona.

Edman had three hits and drove in the deciding run during Wednesday's extra-innings victory over the Diamondbacks, but he'll get a day off in Thursday's series finale. Miguel Rojas will be at second base and Andy Pages will play center field for the Dodgers.

Vargas is not in the lineup for Thursday's tilt against the Dodgers.

Vargas had started each of the previous four contests at first base, but he'll begin Thursday's festivities on the bench. Tim Tawa is handling first base and batting eighth for the Diamondbacks in the series finale.

McCann is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Dodgers.

McCann has served as the Diamondbacks' primary catcher lately while Gabriel Moreno occupies the designated-hitter slot. However, it will be Moreno at catcher and Adrian Del Castillo at DH for Thursday's matinee.

Butler is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Astros.

Butler will get a day off as the Astros send left-hander Framber Valdez to the bump. Colby Thomas will occupy center field and bat fifth for the Athletics.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Thursday that the team is "taking it day-to-day" in terms of when or if Aranda (wrist) will be activated from the 10-day injured list, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Aranda has been playing in backfield games at the Rays' spring training complex in Florida and appears ready to return from a fractured left wrist that's kept him sidelined since late July. However, it does not seem to be a slam dunk that he'll rejoin the active roster, as the Rays are weighing the benefit of a late-season return for Aranda, as well as who he would replace on the roster.

Sasaki notched a hold against Arizona on Wednesday, striking out two batters in a perfect seventh inning.

Sasaki was the first reliever Dodgers manager Dave Roberts used after Blake Snell allowed just one run over six innings. The appearance was Sasaki's first out of the bullpen in the majors after beginning his career with eight starts. The right-hander not only got through a clean inning, he looked dominant in doing so, striking out two of the three batters he faced and notching three whiffs on 13 pitches. Roberts is seeking answers to patch up a beleaguered bullpen that blew its 27th save of the season Wednesday, so Sasaki could be handed a pretty prominent high-leverage role in the playoffs if he's able to consistently pitch the way he did in his initial relief appearance.

The Pirates recalled Shugart from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Shugart will be able to offer some length out of the Pirates' bullpen. He's posted a 3.50 ERA and 29:17 K:BB over 43.2 frames this season and has gone multiple innings in 14 of 34 appearances.

The Pirates optioned Moreta to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Moreta has pitched well in 18 appearances out of the Pirates' bullpen this season, collecting a 3.24 ERA and 19:7 K:BB over 16.2 frames. He'll be replaced on the roster and in the bullpen by Chase Shugart.