MLB Player News

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Thursday that Murphy (hip) will likely rejoin the club for its series early next week in Seattle, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Murphy got a late start to the season after having hip surgery last September, but he's nearly ready to break back into the Atlanta lineup. The veteran catcher has yet to get rolling offensively on his rehab assignment, going 5-for-32 with a 2:8 BB:K. He feels healthy, though, and is slated to catch all nine innings in back-to-back games with Triple-A Gwinnett before being activated. Murphy should handle the lion's share of starts at designated hitter for Atlanta and will also be worked in behind the plate as the team's No. 2 catcher.

Lorenzen (2-3) took the loss Thursday against the Reds, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

The 34-year-old right-hander had a hard time finding his pitch location Thursday. Lorenzen served up two home runs, walked a season-high three batters and threw only 49 of his 85 pitches for strikes, but he was able to last at least five innings in his third consecutive start. He has a poor 6.09 ERA, 1.76 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB over 34 frames, making Lorenzen a fantasy option to avoid during his next scheduled outing back in Colorado against the Mets.

Abbott (1-2) earned the win Thursday against the Rockies, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out five.

Abbott turned in one of his best performances of the year so far, matching a season high in innings and punchouts. Thursday was only his second quality start and his first since his season debut, and it was also just the third time that the 26-year-old left-hander gave up fewer than three runs. Abbott still has work to do in order to improve upon his 5.97 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 24:15 K:BB (34.2 innings), and he could have his work cut out against the Cubs in his next scheduled outing at Wrigley Field.

Woodruff was removed from Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks with an apparent injury, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Woodruff didn't give up a run during his start Thursday, but he managed to record just four outs while averaging 85 mph with his fastball -- a significant decrease from his 92.6-mph season average. The veteran righty battled problems with his lat coming into the season and missed time last year with shoulder, ankle and elbow injuries, though it's currently unknown what was troubling him Thursday.

Sanchez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Sanchez will hit the bench for the fourth time in the Brewers' last five matchups versus a right-handed starting pitcher. Christian Yelich (groin) remains on the shelf, but Tyler Black appears to have moved ahead of Sanchez on the depth chart as Milwaukee's preferred option at designated hitter against righties. Even though he no longer looks to be a full-time player, Sanchez still carries some appeal in leagues that start two catchers. He's compiled a .230 average to go with five home runs, 14 RBI and 10 runs across 77 plate appearances on the season.

The Mets claimed Ibanez off waivers from the Athletics on Thursday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

The A's designated Ibanez for assignment Sunday, but he'll reclaim a 40-man roster spot by moving to the Mets. He'll fill in as a depth piece in New York, though he isn't likely to see many opportunities after posting a .285 OPS in 18 plate appearances with the Athletics.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said last Friday that Polanco (wrist/Achilles) has resumed performing baseball activities but is considered week-to-week in his recovery from a pair of injuries, SNY.tv reports.

New York placed Polanco on the 10-day injured list April 18 due to a right wrist bone bruise and left Achilles bursitis. The Achilles issue has been something that Polanco has been managing throughout the season, while the wrist injury is a newer concern. While Polanco's ability to take part in baseball work is a positive sign, a target date for his return from the IL likely won't become clear until he resumes playing in simulated games or minor-league rehab games. Polanco started at first base in the Mets' first two games of the season, but he was deployed exclusively as a designated hitter in his subsequent 12 starts before hitting the IL.

Vientos will start at first base and bat cleanup in Thursday's game against the Nationals.

Vientos appeared to fade into a part-time role a couple of weeks ago, but he's re-emerged as a more stable member of the lineup since Jorge Polanco (wrist) was placed on the injured list April 18. Vientos will claim his ninth start in 11 games Thursday, despite producing a lackluster .231/.333/.346 slash line to go with one home run and two RBI over the prior 10 contests.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

Ruiz will hit the bench for the fourth time in six games while the Nationals go with Drew Millas behind the dish. Though the playing time has been tilting in Millas' favor of late, Ruiz has been the better producer at the plate by a narrow margin. Ruiz has turned in a .516 OPS over 58 plate appearances, while Millas has provided a .422 OPS across 55 plate appearances.

Bleday will start in left field and bat seventh in Thursday's game against the Rockies.

The Reds will keep Bleday in the lineup for a third consecutive matchup versus a right-hander (Michael Lorenzen), after Bleday went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and a walk between his first two starts since being called up from Triple-A Louisville. Bleday looks like he could get a trial as a strong-side platoon player in the corner outfield, with Will Benson (.668 OPS in 46 plate appearances) and Rece Hinds (.402 OPS in 34 plate appearances) having both underwhelmed in their opportunities for the Reds thus far.