MLB Player News

Tucker (calf) will not begin running until after the weekend and is unlikely to be activated from the injured list when he becomes eligible Tuesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The 28-year-old is nursing a left calf strain, and while he's been cleared to hit and throw, Tucker hasn't started running yet. He's expected to require more than the minimum 10-day stay on the injured list, though it's unclear how long it will take him to be cleared for a return after he begins running. Willi Castro and Seiya Suzuki (illness) have split right field duties while Tucker has been sidelined.

Thomas slashed .239/.343/.368 with three home runs, 11 steals, a 13.2 percent walk rate and a 35.2 percent strikeout rate in 43 games for Double-A Hartford.

The No. 42 overall pick in last year's draft, Thomas capitalized on good fortune (.421 BABIP) and the favorable hitting conditions in Spokane to slash .330/.427/.495 with 11 homers and 22 steals in 73 games at High-A before getting promoted to Double-A on his 22nd birthday July 1. Given that his strikeout rate spiked into the danger zone when he was promoted to an age-appropriate level and more neutral hitting environment, Thomas' dynasty stock is trending down to close 2025, but he'll have a chance to boost it in the coming months playing in the Arizona Fall League. Thomas saw the majority of his starts in left field this year, which puts more pressure on him to provide significant offensive value.

Ko slashed .310/.437/.439 with four home runs, six steals, a 17 percent walk rate and a 19.8 percent strikeout rate in 85 games across the Arizona Complex League and Cal League.

The lefty-hitting Ko, who turned 19 in August, signed with the Dodgers for $650,000 in June of 2024 out of Taiwan. He had a brief, but impressive, debut in the Dominican Summer League last year (149 wRC+ in nine games) and was even better in the ACL this summer, slashing .367/.487/.539 and comfortably leading the league with a 171 wRC+. All four of Ko's homers came in rookie ball, and he has managed just five extra-base hits in 32 games for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. Ko should return to the Quakes next year with a chance for a midseason promotion to High-A.

Bitonti slashed .238/.341/.421 with 19 home runs, 17 steals, a 13.5 percent walk rate and a 33.5 percent strikeout rate in 118 games for Single-A Carolina.

Drafted out of high school in 2023 as a shortstop, Bitonti has already slid to the bottom of the defensive spectrum, playing 900.1 innings at first base and five innings at third base this year for the Mudcats. That won't be a problem if he can make enough contact, as Bitonti has consistently shown impressive raw power and patience for his age -- he won't turn 20 until November. It's unlikely the lefty-hitting Bitonti would be allowed to face same-handed pitching in the majors, but there's a chance he could be a three-true outcomes slugger who hits in the middle of the lineup against righties. The Brewers have a loaded farm system, and first base is particularly crowded, with Andrew Fischer, Brock Wilken, Blake Burke and Luke Adams all representing legitimate first base prospects who are closer to the majors than Bitonti.

Suzuki is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against the Rays.

It looks to be a routine day off for Suzuki, who had started each of the previous 12 contests. The Cubs have Moises Ballesteros in the designated hitter slot and hitting sixth Friday.

Shaw (personal) will start at third base and bat ninth in Friday's game versus the Rays.

Shaw had to be scratched from Wednesday's lineup against Atlanta due to personal reasons, but he appeared as a pinch hitter in that contest and is back in the lineup for Friday's series opener against the Rays. The rookie infielder had a great start to the second half but has slowed down in recent weeks, slashing .212/.276/.269 with no home runs over his last 19 games.

Atlanta recalled Stratton from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Stratton will fill the spot of Daysbel Hernandez (shoulder) on the active roster. In 9.2 innings of relief with Atlanta, Stratton has a 1.86 ERA and a 7:2 K:BB. He's posted a 1.59 ERA in 11.1 innings with Gwinnett as well.

Atlanta placed Hernandez on the 15-day injured list Friday with right shoulder inflammation.

Hernandez hasn't pitched in nearly a week, but he allowed three runs while recording just two outs in that outing. He will be eligible for activation during the final week of the season, but given the nature of the injury, Hernandez's 2025 campaign could be over.

Sears will be recalled from Triple-A El Paso to start Friday's game against the Rockies, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Inserting Sears in for a spot start gives the regular members of the Padres rotation some extra rest, as Dylan Cease will now start the second game of the series Saturday and Yu Darvish will take the ball Sunday. Sears has made three starts for the Padres since arriving in San Diego at the trade deadline, posting a 5.52 ERA and 8:3 K:BB over 14.2 frames.

Moniak went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in Thursday's 2-0 loss to the Padres.

Moniak had the lone multi-hit effort for the Rockies, accounting for half of their hit total. He ended an 0-for-11 skid at the plate over his previous four games. The outfielder is also up to seven steals on 10 attempts this season after swiping a bag in the defeat. Moniak has added 19 home runs, 57 RBI, 54 runs scored and a .262/.301/.494 slash line across 123 contests while being a lineup regular for Colorado.