MLB Player News

Gray (elbow) would like to pitch in the majors this season, even if it's out of the bullpen, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports. "I think that's the goal for this year, to get innings up here, help the team win some games," the right-hander said Monday from the big-league clubhouse.

It's been a long time since Gray was able to make a contribution for the Nationals, as his last major-league action came April 4, 2024. Since then, he's undergone Tommy John surgery in July of that year, endured a lengthy rehab that only began to ramp up last September, and then dealt with a right flexor strain that cropped up this spring. Gray was able to begin a new rehab assignment at Single-A Fredericksburg in mid-August but has been limited to short outings, working his way up to Double-A Harrisburg on Wednesday and tossing a shutout inning. It's still not clear if the Nationals have any plans to take him off the 60-day IL and find a spot for him on the 40-man roster before the end of the season, but at the very least Gray seems to be on his way to wrapping up the campaign in good health.

Castro is not in Friday's lineup against the Cardinals due to plantar fasciitis, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports.

It's not clear when the injury flared up for Castro. He's being evaluated by medical staff, and the Rockies should have an update on the 29-year-old utility man over the coming days. He is slashing .260/.331/.417 with 10 steals, 15 home runs and 56 RBI over 477 plate appearances this season.

Miller (back) will play five innings at shortstop for Single-A Clearwater on Saturday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Miller has been shelved by a back injury since spring training, which prompted him to undergo a minor procedure in early June. He's seemingly progressed enough in his recovery to embark on a rehab assignment, and he'll likely have his workload managed to avoid a setback. It's unclear whether Miller will be back with Triple-A Lehigh Valley before the end of the regular season.

Ruiz (head) is not in the Nationals' starting lineup against the Dodgers on Friday, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Ruiz was removed from Wednesday's game against Atlanta after taking a foul tip off his mask. The good news for him was that he cleared the league's concussion protocol, but he'll take at least one game off to get some additional rest. Henry Ford will start behind home plate Friday and bat seventh.

Quintana (elbow) is in line to begin a rehab assignment next week, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports.

Quintana has been steadily building up his pitch count in bullpen sessions since early August as he progresses in his recovery from a left elbow sprain that landed him on the injured list in late May. It's been a lengthy recovery for the veteran southpaw, so even if he's cleared to embark on a rehab assignment, it's unclear whether he'll see major-league action before the conclusion of the regular season.

Freeland (neck) is scheduled to throw an up-and-down bullpen session Saturday, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports.

Since landing on the injured list Aug. 24 due to cervical radiculopaty, Freeland threw what he called a "fairly aggressive" 20-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, per MLB.com reports. He'll be throwing more of a simulated bullpen session Saturday, and if all goes well, Freeland could be cleared to head out on a brief rehab assignment. Freeland appears to be tracking toward a return from the injured list around the middle of September.

Freeman is not in Friday's lineup against Washington, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Freeman will get a breather while Enrique Hernandez starts at first base and bats ninth in Friday's series opener. Freeman has gone 12-for-35 (.343) with five RBI, three extra-base hits and eight runs scored over his last 10 outings. He ranks third in the National League in both batting average (.303) and hits (155) this season.

Ohtani (biceps/knee) is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Nationals on Friday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani has been working through lingering knee and biceps injuries and will be out of the lineup for a second consecutive game as a result. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Friday that Ohtani as still viewed as "day-to-day," and the hope is that he can avoid a stint on the IL, per Woo. The injuries have delayed his pitching progression, and it's becoming increasingly uncertain whether he'll return to the mound before the end of the regular season. Alex Call will serve as the Dodgers' designated hitter and bat seventh Friday while Tommy Edman hits out of the leadoff spot.

The Cardinals optioned Fernandez to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

The move makes room on the Cardinals' roster for Andre Pallante (elbow), who was activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start against the Rockies on Friday. In six outings after being promoted from Triple-A on Aug. 21, Fernandez allowed five runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out eight across 9.2 innings.

Pallante (elbow) has been activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start against the Rockies on Friday.

Pallante has been officially cleared to return from a two-week stint on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation. He'll take a 3.57 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 136 innings into Friday's start, his first against the Rockies since July 23, 2025, when he took the loss after allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five batters over five innings. Right-hander Ryan Fernandez was optioned to Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move.