MLB Player News

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

The left-handed hitter will head to the bench for the third time in four games while the Reds send lefty Andrew Abbott to the hill. LuJames Groover will get the nod at first base Sunday in place of Smith.

Rea won't start Sunday's game against the Giants, but manager Craig Counsell said the right-hander is expected to "be involved" in the pitching plan, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Ryan Rolison will instead start Sunday's series finale as an opener, lining up Rea to fill a bulk role out of the bullpen. The 35-year-old surrendered seven runs during his last start but was effective in the three outings prior to that with a 3.57 ERA and 1.13 WHIP over 17.2 innings.

Gage (knee) allowed one hit while striking out two across 1.2 scoreless innings during a rehab appearance for Single-A San Jose on Saturday.

Gage was placed on the 15-day injured list June 3 due to knee inflammation and received the starting nod in the first game of his rehab assignment. He was pulled after throwing 23 pitches, 16 of which were strikes. Prior to going on the IL, the left-handed reliever posted a 2.63 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 19:13 K:BB across 24 innings.

The Padres selected Hunt's contract from Triple-A El Paso on Sunday.

Top backstop Freddy Fermin (concussion) was placed on the 7-day injured list Sunday, so Hunt will receive the second big-league call-up of his career. He's still waiting to make his MLB debut, however, as he didn't get the chance to play during a one-day stint in the majors with the Orioles in 2024. Hunt will add depth at catcher behind Rodolfo Duran, who is expected to serve as the Padres' primary option behind the plate while Fermin is on the shelf.

The Padres placed Fermin (concussion) on the 7-day injured list Sunday.

Fermin was diagnosed with a concussion following his early exit Saturday, when he was hit in the mask by a warm-up pitch in the sixth inning. San Diego called up Blake Hunt from Triple-A El Paso to work behind the plate with Rodolfo Duran, who will handle catching duties during Sunday's series finale in Baltimore.

Suzuki (knee) will serve as the Cubs' designated hitter and No. 5 batter in Sunday's game against the Giants.

Though the Cubs will turn to Michael Conforto to cover right field, the right knee issue that forced Suzuki out of Saturday's contest in the fourth inning won't keep him out of the lineup entirely Sunday as he looks to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. Given that Suzuki tweaked the same knee in the World Baseball Classic and opened the season on the injured list, it wouldn't be surprising if the Cubs limited him to DH duties for the next few games as a precaution.

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

Alvarez will sit for the second time in three games as the Mets continue to ease him back into the fold after meniscus surgery. He's gone 3-for-14 with a home run in four contests since coming off the IL. Luis Torrens is starting behind the plate and batting ninth Sunday.

The Rockies reinstated Freeman (concussion) from the 7-day injured list Sunday. He'll start in right field and bat second in the Rockies' series finale against the Athletics in Las Vegas.

Colorado optioned Chad Stevens to Triple-A Albuquerque to clear room for Freeman, who ended up missing the minimum amount of time after suffering a concussion June 6. Freeman had been handling a near-everyday role in right field prior to landing on the IL and should be in line for regular playing time now that he's been cleared of the head injury.

Tovar (calf) will start at shortstop and bat fifth Sunday against the Athletics.

Tovar was held out of the starting nine for the first two games of the series in Las Vegas due to left calf soreness, but the 24-year-old was available off the bench for Saturday's 7-5 loss. Though Tovar ultimately went unused in that contest, he'll settle back in at his usual spot at shortstop in the series finale. Tovar has gotten off to a rough start to June, producing just five hits in 33 at-bats (.152) while posting a 1:15 BB:K over eight games.

Mead is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Mead has gone 2-for-17 with a walk and a homer in his past five games and will hit the bench for Sunday's series finale. Jorbit Vivas will take over at third base and bat eighth against Seattle righty Emerson Hancock.