MLB Player News

The Nationals recalled Cavalli from Triple-A Rochester ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Athletics in Washington.

Cavalli will return to an MLB mound for the first time since Aug. 26, 2022, after he underwent Tommy John surgery the following spring and then struggled to regain form in the minors upon completing his recovery from the procedure. The right-hander looked sharper over his last four starts with Rochester -- he produced a 5.75 ERA and 1.52 WHIP but a sparkling 25:6 K:BB in 20.1 innings -- and could now get the chance to stake a permanent claim to a spot in the big-league rotation after the Nationals shipped Michael Soroka to the Cubs last week. Cavalli gets a tough draw Wednesday, taking on an Athletics squad that has produced a 107 wRC+ versus righties this season while also pitching at one of the more favorable MLB venues for hitters in Nationals Park.

Scott (elbow) completed a bullpen session Tuesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Scott threw off a mound for the first time since he landed on the 15-day injured list two weeks ago due to left elbow inflammation. The Dodgers haven't revealed the next step for Scott, but he could be ready to face hitters soon and perhaps head out on a rehab assignment.

Turner went 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, a walk and one RBI in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Orioles.

Turner was the lone bright spot for the Phillies, falling a home run short of the cycle in his final at-bat. It was a much-needed effort from the shortstop, who entered Wednesday mired in a 4-for-38 slump over his previous 10 games. On the season, he's slashing .284/.339/.425 with 11 home runs, 46 RBI, 73 runs scored and 25 steals across 464 plate appearances.

Contreras is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers due to a stomach bug, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Contreras initially looked to be receiving a routine rest day while the Cardinals wrapped up their series in Los Angeles with a matinee game, but the stomach ailment is instead the cause of his absence from the lineup. Given that he had started in every game for St. Louis dating back to July 4, Contreras was probably due for a breather even if he wasn't feeling ill. Alec Burleson will get the start at first base in his stead, but Contreras could still be available off the bench as a pinch hitter.

The Pirates claimed Little off waivers from the Dodgers on Wednesday and assigned him to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Pittsburgh had two open spots on its 40-man roster, and Little had three minor-league options left, so putting in a waiver claim for the 27-year-old reliever amounted to a low-risk move for the organization to burnish its bullpen depth. Little made two appearances at the big-league level for the Dodgers but had otherwise spent the entire season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, with whom he logged a 4.64 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 39:19 K:BB in 42.2 innings.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Wednesday that Arenado (shoulder) will report to the team's spring training complex in Florida on Friday to begin his rehab, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Arenado will first work on strengthening his injured right shoulder, and if he shows sufficient improvement in that regard, he will be cleared to begin a rehab assignment with the club's rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate. The veteran third baseman remains without a timeline to return from the 10-day injured list, but a target date for his return should become clearer as he ramps up his rehab. Nolan Gorman has been filling in at third base for St. Louis since Arenado went down with the injury Friday.

Encarnacion exited Wednesday's game in Pittsburgh in the seventh inning due to an apparent right hamstring injury, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Encarnacion appeared to tweak his hamstring while trying to beat out an infield single in the top of the seventh inning and was removed for defense before the bottom of the frame. He cranked a solo home run in one of his three plate appearances before being lifted. The Giants should have more information on Encarnacion's status after the game.

Conforto is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

The Dodgers will send the left-handed-hitting Conforto to the bench for the matinee contest while southpaw Matthew Liberatore takes the hill for St. Louis. Alex Call will fill in as the starting left fielder in place of Conforto, who hasn't been productive so far in August with just two hits in 17 at-bats.

Pozo is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

Pozo will take a seat for the day game after he went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored while catching all eight innings of the Cardinals' 12-6 loss Tuesday night. Pedro Pages will handle catching duties Wednesday, and he and Pozo have now alternated starts behind the plate over the last six contests.

Contreras is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

Contreras will get a rare day off after he started every game since July 4. Alec Burleson will hold down first base for the Cardinals in Wednesday's series finale.