MLB Player News

India (illness) will serve as the Reds' designated hitter and No. 6 batter in Thursday's game against the Phillies.

India is back in the starting nine for the first time since Saturday, albeit in a non-defensive role as the Reds look to ease him back in following his bout with an illness that kept him on the bench for four games. He'll likely reprise his usual duties at second base over the weekend, at which point Santiago Espinal will head back to the bench and serve as a utility infielder.

Espinal started at second base and went 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 7-4 win over Philadelphia.

Espinal has feasted on Phillies' pitching, going 5-for-7 with a home run and five RBI over the first two games of the series. It was his fourth straight start at second base in place of Jonathan India (illness), but the ailing India was available off the bench Wednesday and presumably will be available for the series finale Thursday afternoon.

Albies (toe) took part in baserunning as part of a workout prior to Atlanta's game against the Marlins on Wednesday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Albies continues to trend in a positive direction in his recovery from a fractured right big toe, which he sustained April 16. The second baseman had already participated in fielding drills and resumed swinging a bat in recent days, and being able to run the bases is another sign that he's no longer inhibited by the injury. Albies is first eligible for activation from the 10-day injured list Friday, and he appears on track to play this weekend versus the Guardians if he avoids any setbacks coming out of Wednesday's workout.

Estrada was removed from Wednesday's game against the Mets due to left hamstring tightness, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Estrada reportedly wanted to play through his injury, suggesting that his removal was more of a precautionary decision. The Giants don't play Thursday, so the 28-year-old will get an extra day to recover and may be able to return Friday without missing any time.

India (illness) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

India and Jake Fraley are being held out of the starting nine for the fourth and fifth consecutive games, respectively, as both work to return to 100 percent health in their recoveries from illness. Santiago Espinal has been serving as India's primary replacement and will draw another start at second base Wednesday. According to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, India was at the team facility Wednesday and was able to do some hitting, so he should be available off the bench, if needed.

Stott is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.

The lefty-hitting Stott is on the bench for the second day in a row while the Phillies oppose another left-handed starting pitcher (Nick Lodolo). Whit Merrifield will get another turn at the keystone in place of Stott.

India (illness) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

India and Jake Fraley are being held out of the starting nine for the fourth and fifth consecutive games, respectively, as both work to return to 100 percent health in their recoveries from illness. Santiago Espinal has been serving as India's primary replacement and will draw another start at second base Wednesday. According to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, India was at the team facility Wednesday and was able to do some hitting, so he should be available off the bench, if needed.

The Cardinals recalled Fermin from Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Fermin was off to a fantastic start with Memphis, slashing .350/.458/.650 with four home runs, five steals and a 3:11 K:BB over 18 games. The 25-year-old will offer utility infield depth for the Cardinals, and it's possible he gets some starts at second base against lefties.

Marte is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

Marte will take a seat for the first time since April 9, ending a streak of 13 consecutive starts during which he slashed a blistering .364/.413/.564 with two home runs, seven RBI and 12 runs. Kevin Newman will replace Marte at second base in the series finale in St. Louis.

Rodgers went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in the Rockies 7-4 win over the Padres on Tuesday.

Rodgers stepped up to the plate in the fourth with the bases juiced and sent a 421-foot blast to left-center field to put the Rockies in front 5-4 and they would never look back. It was his first career grand slam, his first RBI since April 13 and his first extra-base hit since April 12. It's been a rough go at the plate early on for the 27-year-old, as he's slashing just .197/.230/.324 with seven RBI, nine runs and a 3:20 BB:K in 74 plate appearances.