MLB Player News

Williams is starting at shortstop and batting seventh against the Cardinals on Friday.

Williams should see regular playing time at shortstop while Ha-Seong Kim (back) is on the 10-day injured list. Williams has had his fair share of struggles at the plate in Triple-A with a .213 batting average across 451 plate appearances, but he's also displayed his speed and power with five triples, 22 stolen bases, 23 homers and 55 RBI.

Rojas is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Padres on Friday.

Despite going 6-for-12 with four RBI in his last four starts, Rojas will be on the bench for the start of Friday's game while Alex Freeland and Buddy Kennedy start at second and third base, respectively. Rojas has seen an uptick in playing time due to Tommy Edman (ankle), Hyeseong Kim (shoulder) and Max Muncy (oblique) all residing on the 10-day injured list.

Stephenson (biceps) was activated from the 60-day injured list Friday.

Stephenson has been on the shelf since June 2 due to right biceps inflammation, and after a lengthy rehab process, he's been cleared to rejoin the active roster. The 32-year-old has appeared in just two MLB games this season, tossing a scoreless inning with two strikeouts. He yielded two runs across three innings in three rehab appearances. Chase Silseth was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move.

Ohtani (thigh) is serving as the designated hitter and batting out of the leadoff spot against the Padres on Friday.

Ohtani took a comebacker to his right thigh during Wednesday's game against the Rockies, but the injury isn't severe enough for him to miss Friday's NL West series opener. Ohtani has reached base safely in all 18 games since Aug. 1, and over that span he has posted a 1.266 OPS with 20 runs, four steals, six home runs and 10 RBI in 82 plate appearances.

The Dodgers optioned Sauer to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.

Sauer was recalled Thursday and yielded two runs on three hits while striking out two over two innings of relief that day against the Rockies. He'll head back to Triple-A on Friday, yielding his spot on the 26-man roster to Tanner Scott. Sauer has a 4.86 ERA and 73:23 K:BB across 76 innings with Oklahoma City this season.

The Dodgers reinstated Scott (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Scott will rejoin the active roster after a month-long stint on the IL with left elbow inflammation, pushing Matt Sauer back to Triple-A. Scott has converted on 19 of 26 save chances this season. He figures to step right back into his closing role.

Urias is not in the Athletics' starting lineup against the Mariners on Friday.

Urias will be on the bench for a second straight game while Darell Hernaiz starts at second base and bats seventh. Urias hasn't been that productive at the plate since the All-Star break, posting a .546 OPS with five runs, one homer and six RBI across 66 plate appearances.

Church will bat ninth and play center field Friday against Tampa Bay.

Church was initially tabbed for a night off, but he'll enter the starting nine Friday after Brendan Donovan (wrist) was scratched. Church is hitless in 14 at-bats this season, but he's driven in two runs, scored four times and stolen a bag.

Diaz (hamstring) is not in the Rays' starting lineup against the Cardinals on Friday.

Diaz was diagnosed with a low-grade hamstring injury that he suffered against St. Louis on Thursday. He'll be out of the lineup Friday but could be available for Sunday's series finale. Brandon Lowe will serve as the Rays' designated hitter Friday while Tristan Gray draws the start at second base and bats ninth.

The Cubs placed Brasier on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a left groin strain.

The injury may explain Brasier's recent struggles out of the bullpen, with the veteran right-hander allowing eight runs on 11 hits and two walks while striking out three batters across five innings in his last six outings. He'll undergo further tests to determine the severity of the injury, but he'll be out of action until at least Sept. 6. In a corresponding move, the Cubs recalled Javier Assad from Triple-A Iowa, and Assad will start against the Angels on Friday.