MLB Player News

Donovan has no firm date for resuming defensive duties following a visit with an arm specialist in Dallas on Thursday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Donovan has been limited to designated hitter duty for the entirety of July because of a right flexor strain. He'll be shut down from throwing for at least another two weeks and it's not clear when, or if, he'll be allowed to play defense again this season. "I don't have a direction we want to go yet," Donovan said. "We're just kind of figuring out the direction [the specialist] wants us to go." Donovan didn't play Thursday while traveling for his doctor's visit and isn't starting Friday versus a lefty, but he should be back at DH sometime over the weekend.

Gorman is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Cubs, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Gorman will head to the bench as St. Louis faces off with southpaw Justin Steele on Friday. Willson Contreras will slot in at designated hitter while Andrew Knizner enters the lineup behind the plate and bats eighth against Chicago.

Donovan is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Cubs, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Donovan will take a seat as the Cardinals face off with southpaw Justin Steele on Friday. Jose Fermin will draw the start at second base and bat ninth as St. Louis attempts to extend its win streak to seven straight.

Donovan will be shut down from throwing for at least another two weeks due to renewed arm irritation, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Donovan had been aiming to return to his usual super-utility role shortly after the All-Star break, but his arm did not respond well to a recent throwing program, and he'll continue to be limited to DH and pinch-hitting duties. He is out of the Cardinals' starting lineup for Thursday's series opener against the Cubs but should be back in the designated hitter role Friday. His injury is being labeled as a "persistent flexor strain," per Katie Woo of The Athletic.

Donovan is not in the lineup Thursday against the Cubs.

Donovan continues to be limited to DH duties because of arm fatigue, and the Cardinals will roll with Paul Goldschmidt in that spot Thursday as Alec Burleson handles first base. Donovan is expected to be able to return to the field sometime early next week.

Kim is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Toronto.

It would appear to be a routine day of rest for Kim. Jake Cronenworth will slide over to handle second base while Alfonso Rivas gets the start at first base.

Kim went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Blue Jays.

On a night when offense was at a premium, Kim was at the center of San Diego's only rally in the fifth inning, getting hit by a pitch, swiping second on the back half of a double steal with Trent Grisham and then coming home on a Manny Machado single. Kim has come flying out of the All-Star break, batting .321 (9-for-28) in six games to boost his slash line on the season to .264/.352/.416 with 11 homers, 18 steals, 33 RBI and 49 runs in 91 contests.

Bae (ankle) will begin a rehab assignment by late July, MLB.com reports.

Bae has been on the injured list since July 2 and has recently resumed taking ground balls and playing catch. He'll need a rehab assignment, which is expected to begin July 28 when the Pirates return from a road trip on the West Coast.

Garcia went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's 8-3 loss to the Cubs.

Garcia has three multi-hit efforts in July, but he's batting just .200 (9-for-45) through 12 contests this month. He's added two steals and five RBI, but it's been a noticeable drop in performance for the second baseman, who hit a steady .289 in June. For the season, he's at a .266/.301/.370 slash line with five home runs, 41 RBI, 41 runs scored and six steals over 86 games.

Hoerner went 2-for-5 with a grand slam in Wednesday's 8-3 win over the Nationals.

Hoerner's grand slam came as part of a five-run fifth inning when the Cubs broke the game open during the 8-3 win. This was the infielder's sixth home run of the season and first since June 21, though he's still been able to contribute in fantasy due to his solid on-base skills and ability to steal bases.