MLB Player News

Riley (illness) remains out of the lineup Friday versus the Pirates.

Riley was held out of Thursday's series finale against the Cardinals due to a stomach bug and isn't quite ready to return to the starting nine, though manager Brian Snitker indicated the 26-year-old slugger should be available off the bench, per David O'Brien of The Athletic. Nicky Lopez will get another start at third base and bat ninth for Atlanta in Friday's series opener against Pittsburgh.

The Dodgers optioned Busch to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Busch slashed .111/.167/.333 across 30 plate appearances during his latest two-week stay on the major-league roster. J.D. Martinez (groin) is returning from the injured list in a corresponding move ahead of Friday's series opener against the Nationals.

Rosario was recalled from Triple-A El Paso on Friday.

Rosario has missed a large chunk of this season with an ankle injury, putting up a .770 OPS with four stolen bases when healthy. He's capable of playing all over the infield, although it's not clear how much playing time he'll ultimately receive down the stretch.

Rosario is expected to be promoted to the Padres' major-league roster Friday, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Rosario missed the first four months of the season with an ankle injury and has been with Triple-A El Paso since. Across 187 plate appearances, he's maintained a .770 OPS with four stolen bases, though he's also been caught four times. His fit on the big-league roster is currently unclear, but his ability to play multiple infield positions could help him find playing time.

Riley is out of the lineup Thursday versus the Cardinals due to an illness, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker told reporters that Riley was vomiting all night, but it's believed to be just a 24-hour type of stomach bug. Nicky Lopez is filling in at third base and batting ninth against St. Louis.

Madrigal is not in the lineup Thursday versus the Diamondbacks.

Jeimer Candelario will start at third base as Christopher Morel takes a turn in the DH role. Madrigal is slashing just .172/.200/.207 over his last 30 plate appearances for the Cubs and his season OPS has fallen to .679.

Riley is not in the lineup Thursday against the Cardinals.

This appears to be a scheduled day of rest for Riley, who homered in each of the first two games of Atlanta's three-game set versus St. Louis. Nicky Lopez will cover third base and bat ninth in Thursday's series finale.

Arenado went 2-for-5 with a double, a stolen base and two runs scored in Wednesday's 11-6 win over Atlanta.

Arenado worked the back end of a double steal with Nolan Gorman in the first inning. Prior to Wednesday, Arenado had gone just 3-for-35 across his previous nine contests. The veteran third baseman's slump has seen his slash line sag to .270/.319/.479 on the year, and he's added 26 home runs, 86 RBI, 65 runs scored and three stolen bases over 132 contests.

Muncy (shoulder) is back in the lineup Wednesday at Miami.

Muncy will start at third base and bat cleanup for the visiting Dodgers after sitting out of Tuesday's series opener due to a minor left shoulder tweak. He's posted an .816 OPS with 32 homers and 91 RBI across 114 games this season with the NL West leaders.

Kennedy was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

This move clears out a 40-man roster for catcher Seby Zavala, who has been claimed off waivers from the White Sox. Kennedy, 24, was slashing just .167/.310/.208 through 29 major-league plate appearances this season for Arizona.