MLB Player News

Kepler isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against San Francisco.

Kepler will move to the bench Friday after going just 7-for-42 (.167) at the plate through his first 13 games in August. Lars Nootbaar will start in left field as a result, moving Gabriel Moreno to the DH spot and allowing James McCann to start at catcher.

Arenado (thumb) isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Giants.

Arenado was a late scratch Thursday due to thumb inflammation, and he'll need at least one more day off to recover. Jose Fernandez will pick up another start at third base and bat sixth.

The Diamondbacks optioned Burgos to Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Burgos has pitched 1.2 shutout innings since coming up from the minors Monday, but he'll end up as the roster casualty necessary to make room for Kohl Drake, who was recalled from Reno to start Friday's game versus San Francisco. Burgos has now given up one run in 4.1 major-league innings this year and could still return to Arizona down the stretch to provide bullpen depth.

The Diamondbacks recalled Drake from Triple-A Reno ahead of his start Friday against the Giants.

Drake has turned in a 5.40 ERA and 1.56 WHIP over 16.2 innings across his previous four starts with the Diamondbacks this season and will match up Friday against a Giants offense that's logged a .670 OPS since the beginning of August. Juan Burgos was optioned to Reno in a corresponding move.

Cardinals manager Oli Marmol said Friday that Jordan is expected to miss "several weeks" due to a left ankle sprain, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Marmol stopped short of saying that Jordan would miss the rest of the year, but it looks like the 23-year-old third baseman will be shelved until at least the final week or so of the regular season. Nolan Gorman and Thomas Saggese should both see some reps at the hot corner for as long as Jordan is on the IL.

Cavanaugh is not in the Giants' starting lineup against the Diamondbacks on Friday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The lefty-hitting Cavanaugh will be on the bench for Friday's game while the Diamondbacks send southpaw Kohl Drake to the mound. Andrew Knizner will start behind home plate and bat out of the cleanup spot while forming a battery with Giants right-hander Blade Tidwell.

Lee (elbow) is starting in right field and batting fifth against the Diamondbacks on Friday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Lee was held out the Giants' lineup the last two days due to an elbow bruise, but he's been cleared to start Friday's contest. He has a .238 batting average (20-for-84) with four steals, three home runs, seven RBI and seven runs scored in August.

Hill (neck) will start in center field and bat ninth Friday against the Angels, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

After leaving Saturday's game against the Cardinals due to neck stiffness, Hill missed three straight games before entering Thursday's contest off the bench. Now fully healthy, he'll fill in for Justin Crawford while the Phillies take on left-hander Reid Detmers.

The Cubs placed Milner on outright waivers Friday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Feinsand previously reported that Milner was designated for assignment, but the 35-year-old southpaw has actually been placed on waivers, allowing another team to claim him. Milner is on the 15-day injured list after undergoing an appendectomy, but he could garner interest from a team seeking an extra left-hander for its bullpen. Milner has a 3.53 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, six holds and an 18:9 K:BB over 35.2 innings this season.

Wood (oblique) participated in Friday's batting practice, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Wood took another step in his recovery from a left oblique strain that landed him on the 10-day injured list Aug. 4. Nationals manager Blake Butera noted Friday that Wood may not need to go on a rehab assignment and could be back in the team's lineup by next week.