MLB Player News

Lombard (knee) is in the lineup for Friday's game against the Padres.

After missing four straight games due to right knee inflammation, Lombard will make his return to the starting nine for Friday's series opener in San Diego. The 21-year-old will man shortstop and bat seventh for the Yankees.

Cleveland optioned Allen to Triple-A Columbus after the first game of Friday's doubleheader against Detroit.

Allen started the matinee Friday and got roughed up for six runs (five earned) over 2.1 innings. Cleveland opted for a fresh arm for the nightcap, calling up Daniel Espino from Columbus to replace Allen on the active roster.

The Guardians recalled Espino from Triple-A Columbus on Friday.

Espino will return for his first stint with the big-league club since late July, when he appeared in just one game. With Columbus, the right-hander owns a 3-1 record, 3.68 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 49:22 K:BB over 36.2 innings this season. Cleveland optioned Logan Allen to Triple-A to clear a roster spot for Espino.

Freeland (neck) is scheduled to throw an up-and-down bullpen session Saturday, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports.

Since landing on the injured list Aug. 24 due to cervical radiculopaty, Freeland threw what he called a "fairly aggressive" 20-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, per MLB.com reports. He'll be throwing more of a simulated bullpen session Saturday, and if all goes well, Freeland could be cleared to head out on a brief rehab assignment. Freeland appears to be tracking toward a return from the injured list around the middle of September.

Freeman is not in Friday's lineup against Washington, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Freeman will get a breather while Enrique Hernandez starts at first base and bats ninth in Friday's series opener. Freeman has gone 12-for-35 (.343) with five RBI, three extra-base hits and eight runs scored over his last 10 outings. He ranks third in the National League in both batting average (.303) and hits (155) this season.

Ohtani (biceps/knee) is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Nationals on Friday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani has been working through lingering knee and biceps injuries and will be out of the lineup for a second consecutive game as a result. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Friday that Ohtani as still viewed as "day-to-day," and the hope is that he can avoid a stint on the IL, per Woo. The injuries have delayed his pitching progression, and it's becoming increasingly uncertain whether he'll return to the mound before the end of the regular season. Alex Call will serve as the Dodgers' designated hitter and bat seventh Friday while Tommy Edman hits out of the leadoff spot.

The Cardinals optioned Fernandez to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

The move makes room on the Cardinals' roster for Andre Pallante (elbow), who was activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start against the Rockies on Friday. In six outings after being promoted from Triple-A on Aug. 21, Fernandez allowed five runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out eight across 9.2 innings.

Pallante (elbow) has been activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start against the Rockies on Friday.

Pallante has been officially cleared to return from a two-week stint on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation. He'll take a 3.57 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 136 innings into Friday's start, his first against the Rockies since July 23, 2025, when he took the loss after allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five batters over five innings. Right-hander Ryan Fernandez was optioned to Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move.

Stott was scratched from Friday's lineup against Atlanta for personal reasons.

With Stott attending to a personal matter, Edmundo Sosa will shift to third base while Bryan De La Cruz starts in left field and bats seventh. It's unclear whether Stott will be back in action for Saturday's contest. He has gone 9-for-51 (.176) with one steal, one home run, four RBI and eight runs scored over his last 15 outings.

Gimenez is not in the lineup for Toronto's matchup with Kansas City on Friday.

As the Royals send out southpaw Daniel Lynch to the mound, Gimenez will ride the bench for Friday's series opener. Ernie Clement will slide over to shortstop and bat seventh for the Blue Jays.