MLB Player News

Bitonti slashed .238/.341/.421 with 19 home runs, 17 steals, a 13.5 percent walk rate and a 33.5 percent strikeout rate in 118 games for Single-A Carolina.

Drafted out of high school in 2023 as a shortstop, Bitonti has already slid to the bottom of the defensive spectrum, playing 900.1 innings at first base and five innings at third base this year for the Mudcats. That won't be a problem if he can make enough contact, as Bitonti has consistently shown impressive raw power and patience for his age -- he won't turn 20 until November. It's unlikely the lefty-hitting Bitonti would be allowed to face same-handed pitching in the majors, but there's a chance he could be a three-true outcomes slugger who hits in the middle of the lineup against righties. The Brewers have a loaded farm system, and first base is particularly crowded, with Andrew Fischer, Brock Wilken, Blake Burke and Luke Adams all representing legitimate first base prospects who are closer to the majors than Bitonti.

Smith slashed .308/.379/.500 with four home runs, 10 steals, a 10.3 percent walk rate and a 26.4 percent strikeout rate in his final 20 games for High-A Bowling Green.

On the season, Smith slashed .237/.331/.388 with 14 home runs, 41 steals, an 11.5 percent walk rate and a 31.2 percent strikeout rate in 102 games for the Hot Rods. The righty-hitting outfielder will play in the Arizona Fall League this year before heading to Double-A next year for his age-21/22 season. Smith's production was down from what he did last year at Single-A, but he was still 13 percent better than the average Sally League hitter while being two years younger than the average player in the league. He primarily played center field and had an 87.2 percent success rate stealing bases, so Smith has several ways to impact the game in a positive way. Strikeouts are a bigger problem for Smith than they appeared to be before the season, but he still showed plenty of power/speed potential while getting on base at a passable clip.

Suzuki is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against the Rays.

It looks to be a routine day off for Suzuki, who had started each of the previous 12 contests. The Cubs have Moises Ballesteros in the designated hitter slot and hitting sixth Friday.

Shaw (personal) will start at third base and bat ninth in Friday's game versus the Rays.

Shaw had to be scratched from Wednesday's lineup against Atlanta due to personal reasons, but he appeared as a pinch hitter in that contest and is back in the lineup for Friday's series opener against the Rays. The rookie infielder had a great start to the second half but has slowed down in recent weeks, slashing .212/.276/.269 with no home runs over his last 19 games.

Atlanta recalled Stratton from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Stratton will fill the spot of Daysbel Hernandez (shoulder) on the active roster. In 9.2 innings of relief with Atlanta, Stratton has a 1.86 ERA and a 7:2 K:BB. He's posted a 1.59 ERA in 11.1 innings with Gwinnett as well.

Atlanta placed Hernandez on the 15-day injured list Friday with right shoulder inflammation.

Hernandez hasn't pitched in nearly a week, but he allowed three runs while recording just two outs in that outing. He will be eligible for activation during the final week of the season, but given the nature of the injury, Hernandez's 2025 campaign could be over.

The Astros will call up Cole from Triple-A Sugar Land prior to Friday's game in Atlanta, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Cole has had a nice season between Double-A Corpus Christi and Sugar Land, slashing .279/.377/.539 with 19 home runs and 18 steals over 97 contests. The 25-year-old is capable of playing all three outfield spots, though he wouldn't seem to have a clear path to playing time. Cole will be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game.

Murray will serve as the Astros' opening pitcher for Friday's game in Atlanta, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Murray has made two scoreless relief appearances for the Astros since being called up earlier this month. He's a former starter but has been used exclusively in relief in 2025, so Murray is likely available only for an inning or two. AJ Blubaugh is a good bet to eat some innings Friday in what will be a bullpen game for Houston.

Sears will be recalled from Triple-A El Paso to start Friday's game against the Rockies, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Inserting Sears in for a spot start gives the regular members of the Padres rotation some extra rest, as Dylan Cease will now start the second game of the series Saturday and Yu Darvish will take the ball Sunday. Sears has made three starts for the Padres since arriving in San Diego at the trade deadline, posting a 5.52 ERA and 8:3 K:BB over 14.2 frames.

Vargas went 0-for-2 with a run scored, a walk and a stolen base Thursday against the Rays.

Vargas started his second consecutive game at third base since being activated from the injured list Wednesday, while hitting sixth and fifth in the order. He's reached base and scored in both contests, and he also swiped his fifth base of the season Thursday. Vargas will look to keep the strong close to his season going, as he's hit .277 with four home runs, 17 RBI and 27 runs scored across 112 at-bats since the All-Star break.