MLB Player News

The Cardinals selected Blewett's contract from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Blewett exercised an opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with the Cards earlier in the week, though St. Louis still held the right to decide whether to add him to their 40-man roster or allow him to walk in free agency. With JoJo Romero (appendicitis) now on the injured list, the team will opt for the former and give Blewett a chance to work with the big club. The 30-year-old righty has put up a 5.18 ERA and 1.68 WHIP across 48.2 innings at Triple-A this season, so he will likely be limited to low-leverage work in the majors.

The Cardinals placed Romero on the 15-day injured list Friday, retroactive to Tuesday, due to appendicitis.

Romero has been one of the most reliable members of St. Louis' bullpen as of late, allowing just two runs (one earned) while striking out nine batters and walking four across his last 10 innings, but he'll now have to wait until at least July 29 to make his first appearance of the second half. Scott Blewett will come up from Triple-A Memphis to fill the vacancy in the bullpen.

Song isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Royals.

Song will retreat to the bench to begin the first game of San Diego's second-half schedule after going 2-for-18 with three walks, four RBI and three runs in his final six games before the All-Star break. Manny Machado will cover the hot corner with Song on the bench, opening up the DH spot for Miguel Andujar.

Campusano (abdomen) will start at catcher and bat ninth Friday against the Royals.

Campusano was a late scratch from the lineup ahead of Sunday's first-half finale due to abdominal soreness, but he now appears to be feeling better after getting a chance to recover during the break. He's gone 6-for-18 with five walks, a homer and four runs scored since returning from a fractured toe July 4.

The Diamondbacks recalled Locklear from Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Locklear will join the big club as the roster replacement for Tommy Troy (shoulder), who landed on the IL during the All-Star break. Locklear, 25, has put up just a .532 OPS across 47 games in his MLB career, but he's recently caught fire in the minors, slashing .404/.493/.807 with five homers, 14 RBI, 15 runs scored and a 10:9 BB:K across his last 15 games. He'll begin Friday's contest against St. Louis on the bench, though he could pick up a handful of starts at first base or DH while in the majors.

Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Smith's neck continued to bother him as he attempted to ramp up his activity, so the Dodgers will fully shut him down for a week, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

The Dodgers still expect Smith to return at some point this season, and although there's still no clear idea of when exactly that might be, Roberts noted that the earliest possible date for the catcher's return likely will be in mid-August. Dalton Rushing will continue to serve as Los Angeles' primary backstop in the meantime.

Ohtani (knee) is expected to make his first start of the second half Wednesday against the Phillies, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Knee irritation kept Ohtani from making his final start on the mound before the All-Star break. He addressed the issue by receiving an injection of lubricant during the break, rather than having his knee drained, and he now seems to be back on track toward resuming his duties as a pitcher. He will continue to serve as the Dodgers' regular designated hitter in the meantime and make his eighth consecutive start at DH against the Yankees on Friday.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Friday that the outlook for Woodruff's right shoulder injury "isn't good," Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Woodruff was diagnosed earlier this month with an injury to his right anterior shoulder capsule. He is expected to address the media Sunday regarding next steps, but another shoulder surgery is possible. Woodruff is already on the 60-day injured list and ineligible for activation until early September.

Jones will no longer make a start for the Pirates on Friday after their game versus the Guardians was postponed due to air quality conditions.

The contest will be made up as part of a split doubleheader Saturday. Jones will presumably take the ball in one of those games, though it's unclear at this point which one.

Hall (pectoral) threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session Thursday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Hall reached up to 95-to-96 mph with his fastball in the session and threw all of his pitches. The left-hander could begin a rehab assignment as soon as Sunday and believes he will be ready to rejoin the Milwaukee bullpen after making 2-to-3 rehab appearances in the minors. Hall has been shelved since early June with a left pectoral strain.