MLB Player News

Alverado (suspension) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Alvarado was handed an 80-game PED suspension in mid-May and is now closing in on his return. The reliever is eligible to be activated Aug. 19 and will make some appearances with Lehigh Valley to get back up to speed. However, the southpaw will not reclaim the closer role for the Phillies, who acquired Jhoan Duran at the trade deadline.

Acuna (calf) took batting practice on the field Thursday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

O'Brien notes that Acuna was "showing absolutely no lingering sign" of the right calf strain that landed the outfielder on the 10-day injured list in late July. The bigger test for Acuna will be when he ramps up his running, but he's just over a week into a projected 2-to-3 week return timeline, and he looks to be well on his way toward being activated within that timeframe.

Manager Brian Snitker said Thursday that Alvarez is dealing with side soreness caused by a slide he made during Wednesday's loss to Milwaukee, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Alvarez's injury will cause him to miss out on the starting nine for Thursday's series opener against the Marlins, though there's a chance he may be available off the bench. Jonathan Ornelas will man the hot corner and bat eighth while Alvarez recovers.

Sale (ribs) threw a successful 30-pitch simulated game Thursday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

As long as Sale bounces back well Friday, he will be cleared to begin a rehab assignment. The left-hander is eligible for activation from the 60-day injured list Aug. 19, and he should be ready to go on that date or shortly after following a rehab start or two. Sale has been sidelined since mid-June with a fracture in his left ribcage.

The Dodgers are expected to call up Dean from Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to Friday's game against the Blue Jays, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Signed to a minor-league contract over the offseason, Dean has slashed .274/.370/.426 with 25 stolen bases this season with Oklahoma City. He can play all three outfield spots and is likely to serve as a reserve outfielder and pinch runner. The Dodgers will have to free up spots on the 26-man and 40-man rosters Friday in order to add Dean.

Myers isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against Atlanta.

Myers will miss a third consecutive start Thursday, as it seems the Marlins have begun to prefer starting Troy Johnston in right field. Myers' slide down the depth chart likely has something to do with the fact that he's slashed just .083/.170/.146 with 17 strikeouts across 53 plate appearances since the All-Star break.

Quero (shoulder) was activated off the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Nashville on Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Quero was not even two weeks into a projected 3-to-4 week absence with a mild left shoulder sprain, so he appears to have recovered much faster than anticipated. The 22-year-old has slashed .259/.333/.362 with two home runs in 30 games with Nashville this year.

Murphy isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against Miami.

Murphy will get a day to regroup Thursday after going 1-for-17 to begin the month of August. Drake Baldwin will get the starting nod at catcher while Murphy sits, and Marcell Ozuna will serve as Atlanta's designated hitter.

Pham isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Reds.

Pham will get a breather Thursday after slashing .339/.406/.500 through his first 15 games following the All-Star break. Jack Suwinski will take his place in left field and bat sixth for the Pirates.

Stephenson is not in the lineup for Thursday's tilt in Pittsburgh.

It appears to be a routine day off for Stephenson, who had started five of the previous seven contests. Jose Trevino will do the catching and bat eighth in Thursday's series opener.