MLB Player News

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

The switch-hitting Ruiz has fairly even splits against right- and left-handed pitching both this season and throughout his career, but he'll still sit against a southpaw starter (David Peterson) for the second straight day. The Nationals may just have wanted to open up another start at catcher for the 23-year-old Harry Ford, who bats from the right side and had fared better against lefties at Triple-A Rochester this season prior to being recalled July 17.

The Marlins have tentatively scheduled Bender (shin) to face hitters Friday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

After completing a 15-pitch bullpen session Friday, Bender took the mound again Tuesday and threw 25 pitches, per MLB.com. Assuming he feels fine physically coming out of the latter side session, Bender will take the next step forward by throwing against live hitters. The right-hander has been on the shelf since June 30 due to a right shin stress reaction and will likely need to complete a rehab assignment prior to being activated.

Curtis (side) was reinstated from Triple-A Indianapolis' 7-day injured list Wednesday, Dominic Campbell of SI.com reports.

Curtis has been sidelined by side discomfort since July 25, but he's progressed enough in his recovery to return to the Triple-A squad. He made his major-league debut with the Pirates on July 18, when he operated in a bulk-relief role against the Guardians and allowed two hits and two walks while striking out four across five scoreless innings. Curtis has a 5.84 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 24.2 innings in the minors this season but could see some major-league action over the final weeks of the regular season.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said Wednesday that Meyer (neck) received a cortisone shot to relieve discomfort in the rib area, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Miami placed Meyer on the 15-day injured list July 20 due to a neck strain, but his rib has apparently also been bothering him and has delayed his ramp-up process. If the shot yields the desired effect and alleviates the pain, Meyer is expected to begin throwing shortly thereafter and gear up for a return from the IL. Assuming the Marlins plan on having Meyer prepare for a starting role prior to being activated, he'll still likely need at least a few weeks to build back up, so a return before the end of August could be ambitious.

Adames was removed from Wednesday's game against the Astros in the eighth inning due to a back injury, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Adames' back appeared to tighten up on him when he attempted a double play in the seventh inning. The Giants should provide an update on Adames once he undergoes further tests on his back. Christian Koss shifted from third base to replace Adames at shortstop in the top of the eighth inning, with Buddy Kennedy entering the game at the hot corner.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said Wednesday that Kempner will require surgery for his sprained right elbow, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The Marlins aren't expected to provide further details until the operation is performed, but Kempner will presumably require Tommy John or internal brace surgery (or a hybrid of the two), which will keep him out for the rest of the 2026 season and most, if not all, of the 2027 campaign. The 25-year-old righty was placed on the injured list July 12 and had initially taken the rest-and-rehab approach for his treatment plan, but he apparently wasn't progressing as well as the Marlins had hoped. He'll close the season with a 2.92 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 14:4 K:BB in 12.1 innings over nine appearances with the big club.

Mlodzinski will start Wednesday's game against the Marlins in Miami.

Mlodzinski rejoined the rotation last week after the Pirates shut Mitch Keller down for the season Aug. 3 due to a right arm teres major muscle injury. While making his first start since May 25 in last Friday's 6-4 loss to the Mets, Mlodzinski dropped to 6-4 on the season while yielding five earned runs on seven hits and one walk across three innings. He threw 63 pitches in that outing but should be able to push up into the 70-to-80 range Wednesday as he builds back up following his extended stay in the bullpen.

Sanoja is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates.

Leo Jimenez will get the nod at third base in place of Sanoja, who extended his hit streak to seven games with a 1-for-3 effort in Tuesday's 2-0 win. Sanoja appears to be locked into a near-everyday role, as he started in each of the last three games and is batting .284/.312/.432 with nine extra-base hits (one home run, eight doubles), one stolen base, eight runs and eight RBI since the All-Star break.

Simon will start at designated hitter and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

Since being called up from Triple-A Indianapolis a week ago, the switch-hitting Simon appears to have taken hold of a spot in the Pirates' everyday lineup. He'll pick up his sixth consecutive start Wednesday after going 6-for-19 with a a double, a walk, a stolen base, three runs and two RBI in the prior five games. Simon could soon be in danger of a role reduction, however, as the Pirates appear likely to get center fielder Oneil Cruz (hand) back from the injured list either later this week or early next week.

Davis will start at catcher and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

Davis will be making his fourth straight start behind the dish while Endy Rodriguez continues to miss time while nursing a hip injury. The Pirates are treating Rodriguez as day-to-day, and if Rodriguez is able to avoid a trip to the injured list and return to the lineup in the near future, Davis will likely see his playing time fall by the wayside.