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Casey Schmitt LF | SF
Giants' Casey Schmitt: Belts homer No. 20
Schmitt went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Royals.
The infielder took Steven Cruz deep with two outs in the ninth inning, but the Giants couldn't find an equalizer afterward. Schmitt is up to 20 homers on the season, including four in 17 contests in July, but his .229/.280/.429 slash line on the month is less appealing.
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Jackson Merrill CF | SD
Padres' Jackson Merrill: Not starting versus Sale
Merrill is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Atlanta.
Southpaw ace Chris Sale is on the bump for Atlanta, so the left-handed-hitting Merrill will begin the contest on the bench. Jase Bowen will grab a start in center field in the series finale.
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Landen Roupp SP | SF
Giants' Landen Roupp: Fans seven in no-decision
Roupp didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Royals, allowing two runs on four hits over six-plus innings. He struck out seven without walking a batter.
The right-hander took a shutout into the seventh inning, but manager Tony Vitello left Roupp in a little too long as he surrendered a double to Vinnie Pasquantino and a homer to Salvador Perez before being lifted. Roupp had to settle for his 10th quality start of the season and his third straight in July -- over 21 innings this month he's produced a 1.29 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Brewers.
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Alejo Lopez 2B | SEA
Royals' Alejo Lopez: Nets minors pact with Kansas City
The Royals signed Lopez to a minor-league contract Wednesday.
Lopez will backfill the Royals' organizational middle-infield depth after Andrew Velazquez was called up to grab Bobby Witt's (back) roster spot. The 30-year-old Lopez had been at Triple-A Tacoma in the Mariners organization, where he slashed .302/.379/.419 with two home runs and a 13:10 BB:K in 43 games. He hasn't played in the majors since 2023.
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Griffin Canning RP | SD
Padres' Griffin Canning: Following opener Thursday
Canning will be used as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Kyle Hart for Thursday's contest in Atlanta, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
The Atlanta lineup features three left-handers in its top four spots (Drake Baldwin, Matt Olson and Michael Harris), so San Diego will have the left-handed Hart cover the first inning or two before the right-handed Canning takes over. Righties have posted a .628 OPS against Canning this season, while lefties have pummeled him for a .939 OPS.
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Kyle Hart RP | SD
Padres' Kyle Hart: Opening Thursday's game
Hart will serve as the Padres' opening pitcher for Thursday's game in Atlanta.
Hart -- who has an ugly 10.80 ERA in six appearances this month -- will handle the first inning or two for the Padres before turning things over to Griffin Canning. The lefty has had one other opener assignment this season, giving up one run in two frames on June 27 versus the Dodgers.