MLB Player News

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Smith (neck) will need at least 3-to-4 weeks to fully ramp up and complete a rehab assignment before returning from the 60-day injured list, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Smith landed on the IL on June 11 due to neck inflammation, and after a prolonged shutdown, he's finally feeling pain-free and has been cleared to resume baseball activity. Based on the timeline laid out by Roberts, Smith isn't expected to return to the Dodgers lineup until at least late August, barring any setbacks that delay his activation. For now, Dalton Rushing will continue to serve as the Dodgers' primary catcher, while Eliezer Alfonzo provides depth.

Arraez (cramps) will start at second base and bat leadoff Saturday against the Padres.

Arraez was removed early from Friday's game as a precaution due to cramping, but the issue appears to have resolved itself ahead of Saturday's tilt. The 29-year-old has been seeing the ball extremely well as of late, going 14-for-34 (.412) with six RBI and four runs in his last eight games.

Ritchie was scratched from his scheduled start with Triple-A Gwinnett and is expected to be called up to start for Atlanta in Sunday's home game against Washington, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reports.

Reynaldo Lopez was scratched from Saturday's start with Atlanta due to left knee inflammation, prompting the team to move Martin Perez up a day in the pitching schedule. Ritchie looks poised to end up filling in for Perez on Sunday for what will be his 14th appearance and eighth start with Atlanta. Ritchie owns a 4.50 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 49:33 K:BB over 54 innings during his first big-league season.

Vivas was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against Atlanta.

With left-hander Martin Perez now set to toe the slab for Atlanta instead of Reynaldo Lopez (knee), the Nationals will exchange the lefty-hitting Vivas for the right-handed bat of Brady House.

Lile was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against Atlanta.

Reynaldo Lopez was scratched from his start Saturday due to knee inflammation, so the Nationals will take Lile out of the starting nine to account for the fact that left-hander Martin Perez will now be on the mound for Atlanta. Dylan Crews, Jacob Young and James Wood will start across the outfield while Andres Chaparro serves as the DH.

Atlanta scratched Lopez from his scheduled start Saturday against the Nationals due to left knee inflammation.

The severity of Lopez's injury is unclear, but it's enough of an issue to prevent him from taking the mound Saturday. Martin Perez was originally due to start Sunday's series finale but will instead move up a day and start in Lopez's place.

The Yankees recalled Cruz from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

Cruz is back for his third stint with the big club so far this season. During his previous two call-ups, the right hander made three total appearances covering 4.1 innings and pitched well, allowing no runs on one hit and a 6:0 K:BB. Cruz will take the roster and bullpen spots previously occupied by Camilo Doval, who was traded to Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Chisholm is starting at second base and batting fifth Saturday against the Cubs.

Chisholm exited Thursday's contest against the White Sox after cramping up, and he was held out of Friday's series opener against the Cubs. However, manager Aaron Boone stated ahead of Friday's contest that Chisholm was "fully active," so he was likely just held out because Chicago sent a lefty starter to the mound. All seems to be well with Chisholm given his return to the lineup Saturday.

Rice isn't in the Yankees' starting lineup versus the Cubs on Saturday.

According to Zach Sweet of MLB.com, it's just a planned day off for Rice, as manager Aaron Boone said he's been looking for a good time to give the star slugger a rest. Amed Rosario is getting a turn at DH on Saturday with Rice out of the lineup.

Kurtz isn't in the Athletics' starting lineup Saturday versus Detroit.

Kurtz was hit in the forearm by a pitch Wednesday and underwent an MRI, but he was back in the lineup both Thursday and Friday. At this point, it's unclear if his exit from the starting nine Saturday is related to that issue or if he's simply getting a day off. It's worth noting that the star first baseman slumped for most of July, slashing a meager .028/.125/.111 with just one home run and 20 strikeouts over his final 12 games of the month. Jonah Heim is starting at first base in Kurtz's stead Saturday.