MLB Player News

Vargas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

Vargas will remain on the bench for a third game in a row and looks to have lost hold of an everyday role following Ketel Marte's return from the injured list. Vargas had made 18 starts in a stretch of 19 games from Aug. 14 through Wednesday but slashed just .176/.184/.297 during that span.

The Cardinals recalled Hjerpe from Triple-A Memphis, and he's expected to pitch behind starter Kyle Leahy in Sunday's game against the Rockies at Coors Field, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

After getting bumped up from Double-A Springfield in early August, Hjerpe posted a 0.95 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 27:17 K:BB across 19 innings in his first five starts for Memphis. He will now get his first call to the big leagues and will be asked to provide length behind Leahy, whose workload is being managed down the stretch. Leahy has failed to last five frames in each of his past two starts but has given up two runs or fewer in each of his past 12 outings, so Hjerpe could have a decent chance at a win if Leahy has another short but effective start Sunday. According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals plan to keep Hjerpe on a starter's workload moving forward, so he could piggyback Leahy in future turns through the rotation.

Baty is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

The left-handed-hitting Baty will retreat to the bench for the second time in the series while the Giants send a southpaw (Cesar Perdomo) to the hill. For the season, Baty is slashing just .171/.275/.229 (49 wRC+) in 80 plate appearances against lefties.

Young is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

The left-handed-hitting Young will take a seat for the series finale while the Giants send a southpaw (Cesar Perdomo) to the bump. Mark Vientos will spell Young at first base and will bat fifth.

Alvarez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Alvarez will get a breather Sunday after he started behind the plate in the first two contests of the series. Luis Torrens will handle the catching duties in place of Alvarez.

Happ was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins due to left knee discomfort, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

It's unclear when exactly the injury surfaced for Happ, who started the past four games and went 2-for-4 with a walk and two RBI in Saturday's contest. Tyrone Taylor will instead start in left field in the series finale at Miami.

Furman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

Furman will hit the bench for the second straight game while the Giants go with Jonah Cox at second base. Since being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Aug. 24, Furman has gone just 4-for-24 (.167 average) with three RBI and one run in 11 games.

Whitcomb is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

The Giants will hold Whitcomb out of the lineup for the second time in the series and will go with Osleivis Basabe at third base. Despite getting ample playing time since being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Aug. 24, Whitcomb has gone just 5-for-38 (.132 average) with one home run, three RBI and two runs over 13 games.

Nootbaar is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

Nootbaar started the previous three games and will take a seat Sunday after going 3-for-10 with two walks, a double and an RBI. Gabriel Moreno is resting his legs as the designated hitter in the series finale while James McCann does the catching.

Tawa is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

Tawa's absence will end a run of 36 consecutive starts, during which he had a .244/.306/.382 slash line with five homers, six steals, 15 RBI and 19 runs. Ildemaro Vargas will step in at first base for the series finale at Houston.