MLB Player News

Conforto is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates.

The left-handed-hitting Conforto will hit the bench against right-hander Braxton Ashcraft, paving the way for Alex Call to pick up a start in left field. In addition to facing competition from Call, Conforto's standing atop the depth chart in left field could be threatened by the recent reinstatement of Hyeseong Kim, who made three starts at the position during his rehab assignment.

The Brewers selected Payamps' contract from Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

Payamps was removed from the Brewers' 40-man roster back in May after holding an 8.35 ERA and 1.69 WHIP through 18.1 innings with the big club. However, he's made his way back to the majors after posting a 4.73 ERA and 30:6 K:BB across 26.2 frames with Nashville.

Rojas is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates.

After manning the keystone in each of the last three contests, Rojas will give way to Alex Freeland at second base Wednesday. Though Hyeseong Kim has yet to make a start in either of the Dodgers' two games since he was activated from the injured list Monday, his presence provides a potential roadblock to Rojas handling a full-time role in the Los Angeles infield.

The Brewers placed Miller on the 60-day injured list Wednesday due to a right elbow UCL sprain.

Miller suffered the injury during an appearance in Monday's 10-8 loss to the Phillies. According to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, Miller acknowledged that he could require the second Tommy John surgery of his career to address the UCL injury, but even if he opts to treat the injury with rest and rehab, he won't be eligible to pitch again this season. Joel Payamps was recalled from Triple-A Nashville to take Miller's spot on the 40-man roster and in the bullpen.

Kim is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates.

After being reinstated from the injured list Monday, Kim has now been left out of the starting nine for the first two games of the Dodgers' series in Pittsburgh, with both of the left-handed-hitting rookie's absences coming against right-handed starters. The Dodgers will instead go with Alex Call in left field, Alex Freeland at second base and Enrique Hernandez at third base Wednesday.

Sheehan will start Wednesday's game in Pittsburgh, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Shohei Ohtani had initially been listed as the Dodgers' starter, but Ohtani will instead serve only as the team's designated hitter Wednesday. Manager Dave Roberts had said previously that Sheehan's turn in the rotation would be skipped, but the plan evidently changed. Roberts should offer more clarity behind the decision later Wednesday.

Ohtani is no longer listed as the Dodgers' starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Pirates, but he'll serve as the team's designated hitter and will bat leadoff, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

The Dodgers haven't provided an explanation for why Ohtani is no longer in line to pitch, but if he's dealing with an undisclosed injury, it's evidently not anything the team believes will affect him while swinging the bat or running the bases. Emmet Sheehan will end up starting on the mound in Ohtani's stead. Expect manager Dave Roberts to shed more light on the situation and provide word on when Ohtani's next start as a pitcher will come when the skipper addresses the media later Wednesday.

Steer (leg) will start at first base and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.

Steer will return to the lineup after a two-game absence due to a minor leg injury. Top prospect Sal Stewart had started at first base in both of the previous two contests while Steer managed the leg issue, but the rookie could end up shifting into more of a utility role moving forward, assuming Steer is able to maintain health.

Stewart is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.

Following his promotion from Triple-A Louisville on Monday, Stewart started at first base in the first two games of the series with Toronto and went 2-for-8 with a run scored. Though he'll be on the bench Wednesday while Spencer Steer (leg) checks back in at first base following a two-game absence, Stewart could still have a path to at least semi-regular playing time in September while moving between second base and designated hitter.

Pinango is slashing .295/.382/.443 with one home run and a 16:12 K:BB in his last 26 games for Triple-A Buffalo.

The lefty-hitting Pinango has been a hair below league average (98 wRC+) since getting promoted from Double-A New Hampshire to Triple-A on June 1, but he's been better of late. As a left-field-only prospect, there's significant pressure on Pinango to make an offensive impact, and he had a strong showing in a repeat of Double-A this year (.298/.406/.522 slash line, 169 wRC+). Pinango may be added to the 40-man roster this offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.