MLB Player News

Waldschmidt isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Giants.

Waldschmidt will take a day to regroup after going just 1-for-10 over his last five games. Jordan Lawlar will start in center field and bat ninth while Waldschmidt sits.

Kepler isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against San Francisco.

Kepler will move to the bench Friday after going just 7-for-42 (.167) at the plate through his first 13 games in August. Lars Nootbaar will start in left field as a result, moving Gabriel Moreno to the DH spot and allowing James McCann to start at catcher.

Arenado (thumb) isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Giants.

Arenado was a late scratch Thursday due to thumb inflammation, and he'll need at least one more day off to recover. Jose Fernandez will pick up another start at third base and bat sixth.

The Diamondbacks optioned Burgos to Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Burgos has pitched 1.2 shutout innings since coming up from the minors Monday, but he'll end up as the roster casualty necessary to make room for Kohl Drake, who was recalled from Reno to start Friday's game versus San Francisco. Burgos has now given up one run in 4.1 major-league innings this year and could still return to Arizona down the stretch to provide bullpen depth.

The Diamondbacks recalled Drake from Triple-A Reno ahead of his start Friday against the Giants.

Drake has turned in a 5.40 ERA and 1.56 WHIP over 16.2 innings across his previous four starts with the Diamondbacks this season and will match up Friday against a Giants offense that's logged a .670 OPS since the beginning of August. Juan Burgos was optioned to Reno in a corresponding move.

Henderson is not in the Orioles' starting lineup against the Athletics on Friday, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Henderson will have a rare off day while Blaze Alexander -- who was reinstated from the injured list Friday -- will start at shortstop and bat leadoff. Henderson has a .217 batting average (18-for-83) in August with two steals, two home runs, five RBI, 15 runs scored and a 17:15 BB:K.

Armstrong (calf) threw a bullpen session Friday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Armstrong was recently cleared to begin a throwing progression, a good indication that he is recovering from a left calf strain that landed him on the injured list in late July. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on Aug. 4, but he could be back on the Guardians' major-league roster right before the end of the regular season in mid-to-late September.

The Orioles optioned Vazquez to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

The Orioles selected Vazquez's contract from Norfolk on Wednesday, but he'll now depart the active roster without appearing in a game to make room for Blaze Alexander (hand), who returned from the IL on Friday. Vazquez will remain on the Orioles' taxi squad for now in case Baltimore needs to add infield depth on short notice.

Cecconi (arm) is scheduled to make his next rehab appearance Sunday with Triple-A Columbus, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Cecconi was cleared to begin his rehab assignment Tuesday, when he allowed one hit and one walk while striking out the side in one scoreless inning at Triple-A. He's working his way back from right arm fatigue that landed him on the injured list in early August, and he is progressing toward being back with the Guardians by early September.

The Orioles reinstated Alexander (hand) from the injured list Friday.

Out since mid-July with a fractured left hand, Alexander began a rehab assignment Tuesday and went 2-for-7 with a double, an RBI and a run scored at Triple-A Norfolk. He figures to reclaim a regular starting job in Baltimore's infield now that he's fully healthy, and he'll replace Luis Vazquez on the team's active roster.