MLB Player News

Smith is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the White Sox.

Smith had started the last four contests for the Astros, but this will be the third time he's been out of the lineup the last five times his team has faced a righty. LaMonte Wade and Taylor Trammell will be in the corner outfield spots in the series finale.

Molina is listed as the Giants' starting pitcher for Saturday's game against the Mets, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

After being acquired from Atlanta at the trade deadline, Molina has allowed three runs with a 7:1 K:BB over 9.1 innings covering one start and one relief appearance since joining the Giants. The 24-year-old should get a long look in the San Francisco rotation during the final month of the regular season.

Okamoto is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Guardians.

It's a rare day off for Okamoto, who had started each of the previous 19 contests for the Blue Jays. Josh Smith is getting the call at third base for Toronto while Okamoto gets a breather.

Kirk is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Cleveland.

Kirk was behind the dish in each of the last four contests for the Blue Jays, so he's earned a breather during Thursday's matinee. It will be Brandon Valenzuela doing the catching for Toronto.

Springer is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Cleveland.

Springer -- who will turn 37 later this month -- will get some rest during Thursday's afternoon tilt. Sean Keys will slot in at designated hitter and will bat fifth for the Blue Jays in the rubber match.

The Pirates are expected to activate Griffin (finger) from the 60-day injured list Friday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Griffin has rejoined the Pirates in Pittsburgh after going 3-for-11 in three rehab games, and he will return to the active roster Friday on the first day he's eligible. The rookie shortstop has been sidelined for the past two months with a torn sagittal band on his left ring finger. With Griffin taking back over at shortstop this weekend, Jacob Gonzalez could be mixed in some at third base down the stretch for the Pirates.

The Pirates optioned Sisk to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Aiden Stepansky of MLB.com reports.

Sisk coughed up three runs while recording only one out in his last appearance Tuesday versus the Giants and has an ugly 1:9 K:BB over his last five outings with the big club. Wilber Dotel will absorb Sisk's spot on the active roster.

The Pirates recalled Dotel from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Aiden Stepansky of MLB.com reports.

The Pirates desperately need a fresh arm to cover innings in the bullpen, and Dotel should be first in line for that assignment. He's collected a 4.71 ERA and 31:13 K:BB over 28.2 frames covering 15 appearances out of the big-league bullpen this season. The Pirates could call on him to cover multiple innings in Thursday's game against the Giants once opener Lake Bachar exits the game.

Valdez is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Giants.

After going 1-for-9 with six strikeouts in the first two games of the series, Valdez will take a seat in Thursday's finale. Bryan Reynolds has shifted over to right field, and Jake Mangum will cover left field for the Pirates.

Bailey is out of the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Blue Jays.

After starting both of the first two games of the series at catcher, Bailey will exit the lineup for Thursday's matinee. Austin Hedges will step in behind the dish and bat eighth in the series finale.