MLB Player News

Megill (elbow) didn't recover as well as anticipated after his most recent bullpen session but will throw another bullpen Saturday before facing possibly batters next week, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Megill has been working his way back from a right flexor strain, and while he didn't recover as well as he hoped, his timeline for return doesn't seem to have changed much. His initial plan was to return Tuesday, but a return later next week seems more likely given his tentatively scheduled live BP session.

The Pirates optioned Holderman to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Holderman will end up as the odd man out of Pittsburgh's bullpen following Justin Lawrence's (elbow) return from the injured list. Holderman has taken a massive step back this year, posting a 7.01 ERA through 25.2 innings in the big leagues after logging a 3.16 ERA in 2024. Despite his performance, he remains a candidate to return to Pittsburgh if/when the Bucs need bullpen depth for their final stretch of games.

The Pirates reinstated Lawrence (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Friday.

Elbow inflammation has kept Lawrence on the injured list since late April, but after more than four months on the shelf, the 30-year-old has been cleared to help out the Pirates for the final stage of the regular season. Lawrence was off to a strong start before getting hurt, posting a 0.79 ERA in 11.1 frames, but he struggled during his rehab assignment while surrendering seven earned runs in 7.1 innings. He'll likely be limited to middle relief upon rejoining Pittsburgh's bullpen. Meanwhile, the Pirates will send Colin Holderman to Triple-A Indianapolis to clear a roster spot.

Vargas will bat second and play second base Friday against Minnesota.

Vargas was left out of the initial starting nine Friday, but he'll jump into the lineup after Ketel Marte (foot) was scratched. Vargas has generated a hit in five of his last six games.

Marte (foot) was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Twins.

Marte was originally in line to play Friday after exiting Wednesday's game with a bruised foot, but the D-backs will err on the side of caution and keep him on the bench for at least one game. Ildemaro Vargas will step in to cover second base and bat second while Marte rests.

Marte is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Athletics.

Marte will yield to Will Benson in right field on Friday for the second time in three games. Marte is in the midst of a 1-for-21 (.048) slump, and he's struck out 13 times during that stretch.

Winn (knee) is batting sixth and playing shortstop during Friday's game against the Brewers, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Winn has been playing through a meniscus tear, and he'll be back in the lineup Friday after a three-game absence. The shortstop will undergo offseason surgery to resolve the issue. The 23-year-old is slashing .253/.310/.363 with nine home runs and nine stolen bases this season.

The Cardinals optioned Raquet to Triple-A Memphis on Friday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Raquet was unscored upon in his first two major-league appearances this week, but he'll now head back to Memphis. John King (back) has returned from the 15-day injured list to take Raquet's roster spot.

The Cardinals optioned Fermin to Triple-A Memphis on Friday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

With Brendan Donovan (groin) back from the injured list and batting leadoff Friday in Milwaukee, Fermin will head back to Memphis. Fermin has slashed .273/.360/.386 with one home run, four RBI, three runs scored and a 6:7 BB:K across 51 plate appearances at the big-league level this season.

The Cardinals activated King (back) from the 15-day injured list Friday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

King hasn't made an appearance for the Cardinals since late July, as he's dealt with an oblique strain and more recently a mid-back strain. The lefty has been deemed ready to return after making one rehab appearance with Double-A Springfield.