MLB Player News

Smith isn't in the starting lineup against Baltimore on Saturday.

Smith is sitting for the third time in Houston's past seven games, with all three of the absences coming against right-handers. The rookie has hit a rough patch at the plate, hitting a paltry .048 (1-for-21) over his past eight contests. With Smith out of the lineup Saturday, Jesus Sanchez is starting in right field for the Astros.

Mullins is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against Atlanta.

Despite Atlanta sending right-hander Cal Quantrill to the hill, Mullins will get the night off Saturday, yielding his spot in center field to Tyrone Taylor. Mullins had started 14 consecutive games, going 14-for-51 (.275) with four doubles, a triple and a home run during that stretch.

McNeil (shoulder) is playing second base and batting fifth Saturday against Atlanta.

McNeil was held out of the lineup in back-to-back games due to soreness in his right shoulder. After being available off the bench Friday, he makes his return to the starting nine Saturday. McNeil has nine hits, including three doubles and a homer, in his last 22 at-bats.

Sousa has been diagnosed with a "low-grade elbow flexor/pronator strain" and will not throw for at least two weeks, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Sousa landed on the injured list Friday and underwent an MRI, the results of which revealed the flexor/pronator strain. The southpaw will be evaluated in early September, and he's expected to be sidelined from any throwing for a minimum of two weeks. This is a big blow to Houston's bullpen, as Sousa has excelled with a 2.84 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 59:15 K:BB over 50.2 innings while notching four saves and eight holds across 44 appearances.

The Astros designated Dubin for assignment Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Dubin has had an injury-plagued campaign, as he's dealt with separate shoulder, ankle and forearm issues at points this season. The right-hander has struggled during his time with Houston, posting a 5.61 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 21:8 K:BB over 25.2 innings. AJ Blubaugh was called up from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move, but perhaps the more important aspect of Dubin being DFA'd is that it opens up a spot on the Astros' 40-man roster. That spot will likely go to Yordan Alvarez (hand), who is close to being activated from the 60-day IL.

Houston recalled Blubaugh from Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Blubaugh has made two big-league appearances (one of which was a start) totaling nine innings so far in his debut MLB campaign, giving up four runs on eight hits with an 11:2 K:BB. His numbers haven't been great at Sugar Land, as he's registered a 5.27 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 101: 58 K:BB across 99 frames, but the Astros will look to the right-hander for some pitching depth while he's up with the team. The Astros don't have an immediate opening in their rotation, and Luis Garcia (elbow) is nearing a return from the injured list, so Blubaugh figures to work as a long reliever with the big-league club.

Adams is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Phillies.

After making back-to-back starts behind the dish, Adams will yield to Drew Millas on Saturday. Adams is 16-for-50 (.320) with two homers in August.

The Mets recalled Brazoban from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.

Brazoban will rejoin the Mets bullpen Saturday, taking Frankie Montas' (elbow) spot as Montas heads to the injured list. Brazoban has a 3.83 ERA and 51:26 K:BB across 51.2 MLB innings this season. He's likely to be used in low-leverage scenarios.

The Mets placed Montas on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to Aug. 22, due to a right elbow UCL injury.

Montas didn't make his 2025 debut until late June after suffering a lat strain in spring training. Two months later, Montas is headed back to the injured list with an unspecified injury to his UCL. The 32-year-old was recently moved to the bullpen and hadn't pitched since Aug. 15. The Mets recalled Huascar Brazoban from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move.

Semien (foot) is slated to meet with a foot doctor Sunday and will not play Saturday, Matthew Postins of SI.com reports.

Semien hasn't played since being removed from Thursday's contest against Kansas City a few innings after fouling a ball off his foot. The veteran infielder has so far had an X-Ray, CAT scan and MRI, with results of the latter coming back inconclusive. Semien's medical evaluation should provide more clarity about the specifics of his injury and a return timeline. It's unlikely that he'll play in any capacity this weekend.