MLB Player News

The Cubs optioned Alcantara to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday.

Alcantara's stint with the big club lasted more than three weeks, but he received just 11 plate appearances, going 3-for-11 with three RBI. The outfielder has put up a .936 OPS with 17 home runs for Iowa this season.

Smith went 1-for-3 with a three-run homer in Thursday's 6-5 win over the Padres.

Making just his second start in six games, Smith put Atlanta ahead in the fourth inning by taking Griffin Canning deep for his seventh homer this season and first since June 6. Smith had gone just 3-for-19 with five walks and no extra-base hits in nine games prior to Thursday. Overall, he's slashing .264/.318/.395 with 39 RBI and 35 runs scored across 246 plate appearances this season.

Herrera is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Diamondbacks.

It's the first day off this season for Herrera, who has made 63 starts at designated hitter and 38 starts at catcher for the Cardinals this season. The 26-year-old is just 7-for-48 at the plate over his last 12 games. Alec Burleson is getting a start at DH, and Jimmy Crooks will do the catching for St. Louis.

Ohtani (knee) threw a bullpen session Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani threw 31 pitches in the session and used his entire repertoire. It's the first time he's thrown off the mound since having his left knee drained and treated with a cortisone shot over the All-Star break. The next step for Ohtani isn't clear, but it's expected to be a few weeks before he's ready to make a start on the mound. Ohtani will continue serving as the Dodgers' designated hitter.

Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres.

Smith will retreat to the bench for the third game in a row, with his latter two absences coming while the Padres have sent right-handed starting pitchers to the hill. The 31-year-old has held down a strong-side platoon role for much of the season, but he's been squeezed for playing time in the wake of Mike Yastrzemski's return from the injured list. The lesser role comes while Smith has provided a poor .468 OPS over 13 games since the start of July, though he could still see at least semi-regular starts until Ronald Acuna (hamstring) completes his rehab assignment.

Suarez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners.

Suarez will receive a breather while the Reds wrap up their series in Seattle with a day game after a night game. Nathaniel Lowe will serve as the Reds' designated hitter Wednesday, while Ke'Bryan Hayes gets the nod at third base.

Polanco will start at designated hitter and bat fifth in Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

Though he'll be included in the starting nine for the series finale, Polanco has cracked the Mets' lineup just three times in the last seven games. Since he's not yet cleared to play first base since making his return from a lengthy stay on the shelf due to Achilles and ankle injuries, Polanco will be limited to the DH spot. The Mets may be more inclined to rotate players at DH rather than leaning on Polanco as the primary option, especially while he's mustered a lowly .489 OPS through 21 games on the season.

Lowe went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Mariners.

Lowe homered for the third time over his last four games. He's added six RBI in that span. The first baseman could get a boost in playing time as long as Spencer Steer (ribs) is out of the lineup. Lowe is batting .249 with an .815 OPS, 12 homers, 31 RBI, 23 runs scored and 13 doubles over 235 plate appearances this season.

Suarez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Mariners.

Suarez went yard off Luis Castillo in the fourth inning to put the Reds up 2-0. This was Suarez's fifth homer in his last 11 games, though he's gone a modest 9-for-41 (.220) with a 3:21 BB:K in that span. The veteran slugger is hitting .208 with a .682 OPS, 13 homers, 37 RBI, 26 runs scored, 11 doubles and no stolen bases over 72 contests in the first year of his second stint with Cincinnati.

Yelich is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mets.

The Mets are starting a left-hander in Zac Thornton, offering the Brewers a chance to get the lefty-swinging Yelich off his feet for a day. William Contreras will be used in the designated hitter spot, and Gary Sanchez will do the catching.