MLB Player News

Albies (foot) played catch Wednesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Albies shed his walking boot last week and is taking part in light baseball activities. Assuming he feels good after playing catch, the 25-year-old is expected to ramp up his rehab process over the next few weeks. Albies will likely be in the mix to return from the injured list around mid-to-late August.

Gorman isn't starting the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Gorman went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a strikeout during Thursday's matinee, but he'll rest for the second game since left-hander Sean Newcomb is on the mound for the Cubs. Paul Goldschmidt is serving as the designated hitter while Albert Pujols starts at first base.

Stott will start at shortstop and bat eighth in Thursday's game against the Nationals.

Stott picked up each of his past six starts at the keystone, but second base will be Jean Segura's (finger) domain moving forward after the 32-year-old was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Thursday. The rookie won't be out of the mix for an everyday role in the middle infield, however, as the Phillies released the struggling Didi Gregorius on Thursday to clear the way for Stott to play regularly at shortstop. The righty-hitting Edmundo Sosa could still poach the occasional start from the lefty-hitting Stott when the Phillies oppose southpaws, but Stott's playing-time outlook for the rest of the season generally looks promising.

Estrada (concussion) will likely rejoin the Giants ahead of Sunday's series finale in Oakland, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Estrada landed on the 7-day concussion injured list last weekend but is expected to be cleared to return following a minimal IL stint. The 26-year-old should reclaim a regular role at second base once activated since shortstop Brandon Crawford (knee) is expected to be reinstated Saturday.

Rodgers isn't starting Thursday against San Diego.

Rodgers has recorded hits in each of the last 10 games, slashing .772/.512/.611 with a home run, two doubles, eight runs and two RBI during that time. He'll get a breather while Ryan McMahon shifts to second base with Elehuris Montero starting at the hot corner.

Vargas isn't starting Thursday against the Giants, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Vargas made his big-league debut Wednesday and went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a stolen base. James Outman will take over as the designated hitter and bat ninth Thursday.

Villar will start at first base and bat sixth in Thursday's game against the Dodgers.

Villar will get his third start during the four-game series after going 1-for-4 with a double, two walks, two RBI and a run between his first two contests. All three of Villar's starts have come against left-handed pitching, so it's possible that he's still being viewed a short-side platoon player in the infield even while Evan Longoria (hamstring) remains on the injured list. The newly acquired J.D. Davis, who also bats from the right side, looks to be Villar's primary competition for playing time against right-handed pitching.

McNeil went 3-for-5 with three doubles and a run scored in Wednesday's win over the Nationals.

The 30-year-old has caught fire over the last week. McNeil has hit safely in six straight games with four multi-hit performances, batting .462 (12-for-26) over that stretch with five doubles, a homer, three RBI and four runs. He's typically been hitting in the bottom half of the order this season, somewhat limiting his fantasy upside, but McNeil is capable of staying hot for a prolonged period and pushing his .302/.361/.430 slash line on the season even higher.

Urias is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Amid a rough patch at the plate, Urias will take a seat for the day game after a night game, affording Mike Brosseau a turn at third base. Urias has gone 3-for-20 over his last five starts, with his season-long average falling to .230 as a result.

Vargas went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's 3-0 win over San Francisco.

Vargas was called up to the majors for the first time Tuesday and made his first start Wednesday. The 22-year-old wasted little time making his mark on the LA-SF rivalry, driving in the game's first run with a double in the second inning and immediately following with a steal of third base. Vargas notched another RBI with an infield single in the third. Justin Turner (abdomen) isn't expected to need a long-term stay on the IL, but Vargas could carve out playing time beyond the veteran third baseman's return if he gets off to a productive big-league start.