MLB Player News

Sasaki (shoulder) is scheduled to face hitters at the Dodgers' complex in Arizona this weekend, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The rookie right-hander began throwing bullpens in mid-July and has progressed enough to move onto the next step in his recovery from a right shoulder impingement. This will be Sasaki's first time facing live hitters since he landed on the injured list in mid-May. It's expected that Sasaki will need to make at least three minor-league rehab outings before he's ready to be activated from the IL, so the earliest he's likely to return to the Dodgers is late August.

De La Cruz went 3-for-6 with a home run, three total RBI and an additional run scored in Thursday's 12-11 loss to Atlanta in 10 innings.

De La Cruz extended Cincinnati's lead to 3-0 in the third inning with a two-run blast off Carlos Carrasco, his 19th homer of the year and first in 31 games. Despite the power drought, De La Cruz has been productive at the plate of late, going 12-for-30 (.400) over his last seven contests. Overall, the shortstop is slashing .285/.363/.489 with 72 RBI, 80 runs scored and 29 steals across 474 plate appearances this season.

Hayes went 1-for-5 with a three-run homer in Thursday's 12-11 loss to Atlanta.

After homering just once in 392 plate appearances with the Pirates this year, Hayes went deep in his first game with the Reds, kick-starting Cincinnati's rally in an eight-run eighth inning. Hayes, whose previous homer came June 10, is slashing .235/.278/.297 with 39 RBI, 35 runs scored and 10 stolen bases this season. While Hayes plays excellent defense at third base, he could find himself in a part-time role after the Reds made another trade for Miguel Andujar on Thursday.

Iglesias earned the save in Thursday's 12-11 win over the Reds in 10 innings. He struck out one in a scoreless inning.

Iglesias was seen as a likely trade candidate, though he ultimately remained with Atlanta following Thursday's deadline. Brought in to protect a one-run lead in the 10th inning, Iglesias set the Reds down in order, locking down his 13th save in 18 chances this season. After a shaky start to the year, Iglesias has now held opponents scoreless in 19 of his last 21 appearances. His ERA sits at 4.74 with a 1.15 WHIP and 48:10 K:BB across 43.2 innings.

Brown is no longer listed as the Cubs' probable starter for Saturday's game against the Orioles,Ryan Herrera of AllCHGO.com reports.

Brown was originally scheduled to make a second straight turn through the rotation this weekend, but the Cubs are now listing Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd and Colin Rea as their three starters for the series versus Baltimore. The shakeup in the pitching schedule comes after the Cubs acquired another starter Wednesday in Michael Soroka, whose arrival presumably bumps Brown out of the rotation. It's unclear if Brown will stick on the 26-man active roster as a reliever, or if he will be optioned to Triple-A Iowa to continue to stay stretched out as a starter.

Abbott didn't factor into the decision in Thursday's 10-inning loss to Atlanta, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and five walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out one.

Abbott struggled with his command Thursday, a rarity for the left-hander this year, as he matched a season-high with five free passes. Still, Abbott has held opponents to two earned runs or fewer in eight of his last nine starts. His ERA sits at a sparkling 2.15 with a 1.11 WHIP and 96:33 K:BB across 19 starts (108.2 innings) this season. Abbott's currently lined up to face the Cubs on the road in his next outing.

Carrasco didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Reds, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out five.

Carrasco got off to a shaky start, allowing three runs in his first three innings, though he'd ultimately settle in and blank Cincinnati over his final three frames to log his first quality start of the season. Carrasco was traded to Atlanta after struggling to a 5.91 ERA and 1.53 WHIP across 32 innings with the Yankees. The veteran right-hander figures to get a long look in the rotation as Atlanta currently has five starters on the 60-day IL. Carrasco currently lines up for a home matchup with the Brewers in his next outing.

Brooks was designated for assignment by the Padres on Thursday.

Brooks was with the big-league club while serving primarily as a depth option. After the Padres acquired Ryan O'Hearn and Ramon Laureano on Thursday, Brooks had no role on the roster and lost his spot as a result.

Wagner was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Thursday.

Wagner was dealt from the Blue Jays to the Padres on Thursday but is currently blocked by both Ryan O'Hearn and Gavin Sheets. That leaves him without a spot in the big leagues, though that could change prior to the close of the regular season. Across 132 plate appearances with Toronto, Wagner hit .237/.336/.298 with a 15:26 BB:K.

Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said Thursday that Chourio (hamstring) is expected to land on the injured list, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

After departing Tuesday's 9-3 win over the Cubs due to what the Brewers termed as a right hamstring spasm, Chourio sat out Wednesday's 10-3 loss in the series finale. The outfielder apparently didn't bounce back from the off day as well as Milwaukee had hoped, and his injury is now being classified as a hamstring strain. According to Arnold, Chourio's upcoming placement on the IL is out of an abundance of caution, with the GM adding that he's not expecting the 21-year-old to be in line for an extended absence. The Brewers acquired Brandon Lockridge from the Padres on Thursday, and he's expected to join the 26-man active roster as Chourio's replacement ahead of Friday's game in Washington. Lockridge and Blake Perkins could split time in center field while Chourio is out.