MLB Player News

Mullins is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Washington.

The Nationals haven't formally announced their starting pitcher Friday, but it's expected to be southpaw Andrew Alvarez. Regardless, the lefty-hitting Mullins will take a seat, as Jose Siri roams center field. In his last seven games, Mullins is 5-for-18 (.278).

McNeil is absent from the lineup for Friday's game versus the Nationals.

McNeil had started each of the previous seven contests but managed only one hit over that stretch, so he'll get a day off to regroup. Brett Baty will handle second base and bat eighth for the Mets.

Stephenson is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Cubs.

Stephenson started Thursday's series opener and helped steer Hunter Greene to a shutout, but he'll get a breather in the second game of the series. Jose Trevino is at catcher and batting eighth for the Reds.

Stewart is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

Stewart had started each of the previous six contests but will get a breather Friday after going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in Thursday's game versus the Cubs. Spencer Steer is handling first base and Ke'Bryan Hayes (back) has returned to the lineup at third base.

Hayes (back) will start at third base and bat seventh in Friday's game versus the Cubs.

Hayes didn't start the previous two tilts due to a back issue, but he entered Thursday's game against the Cubs as a defensive replacement and is back in the lineup Friday. The 28-year-old enters play Friday having gone hitless over his last five contests.

The Marlins reinstated Tarnok (ankle) from the 15-day injured list Friday and optioned him to Triple-A Jacksonville.

Tarnok has been on the shelf since early September due to a sprained left ankle, but he's been cleared to return after a brief rehab stint. The 26-year-old will head to Jacksonville for the closing week or so of the regular season. He has a 3.19 ERA in 67.2 innings with Jacksonville in 2025.

Atlanta designated Ornelas for assignment Friday.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Jhancarlos Lara. It's the second time Ornelas has been designated for assignment this season, as the Rangers booted him off their 40-man roster in May before trading him to Atlanta. He's spent most of the 2025 campaign at the Triple-A level, where he's slashed only .196/.295/.303 in 115 contests.

Atlanta selected Lara's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Lara has split time between the rotation and bullpen at Double-A Columbus and Gwinnett this season, posting a 7.73 ERA and 104:65 K:BB over 68.2 innings. The 22-year-old has electric stuff but has really struggled to throw strikes at every level. Atlanta will take a look at Lara as a bullpen arm down the stretch.

Atlanta optioned Dunning to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Dunning has struggled in a mop-up role with Atlanta, posting a 10.80 ERA over seven appearances. His spot on the roster and in the bullpen will be absorbed by Jhancarlos Lara.

Buehler will follow Taijuan Walker in a tandem start Friday in Arizona, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Aaron Nola will take the ball Saturday and Ranger Suarez will go Sunday for the Phillies. The rotation realignment not only sets up Cristopher Sanchez for the first game of the postseason, it also allows the club to get a look at Buehler in a different role, with the idea that he might be used in long relief in the playoffs. Buehler was solid in his Phillies debut last week against the Royals, striking out three over five innings of one-run ball. He'll have a better chance of picking up a win Friday as the second leg of a piggyback start.