MLB Player News

Smith is not in the lineup for Wednesday's tilt in Pittsburgh.

It's righty Jared Jones on the bump for the Pirates, but the left-handed-hitting Smith will begin the contest on the bench. It's the first time since May 6 that Smith has been absent from the lineup when the opposition has a right-hander on the mound. Drake Baldwin is getting a start at designated hitter, and Joey Bart will be Atlanta's catcher.

Lowe is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Phillies.

Lowe is in a lengthy slump at the plate, slashing just .203/.313/.261 without a single RBI over his past 27 games. His playing time has dipped as a result, as Lowe hasn't made consecutive starts since June 26 and 27.

Stephenson is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Phillies.

Stephenson started the previous two contests at catcher, so he will exit the lineup for Wednesday's game. Jose Trevino is behind the dish and batting seventh for the Reds.

Whisenhunt joined the Giants' taxi squad Wednesday and could be formally recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to start Thursday's game against the Rockies in San Francisco, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Per Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports Bay Area, manager Tony Vitello wouldn't fully commit to Whisenhunt joining the big-league rotation, but the skipper acknowledged that the southpaw is a candidate to make a start before the All-Star break. The Giants are currently listing Thursday's series opener as "TBA," so Whisenhunt would be a logical choice to slot into that spot while Robbie Ray, Tyler Mahle and Trevor McDonald all get pushed back a day in the schedule. Whisenhunt made his lone start of the season with the Giants back on June 17 in Atlanta, striking out two batters while allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. The 25-year-old owns a 4.42 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 82:37 K:BB over 77.1 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

Gage will be re-evaluated in one month after an MRI revealed a moderate left flexor strain, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

There was some fear that the injury could be worse, so the diagnosis is relatively good news for the southpaw. Gage will be given a platelet-rich plasma injection before resting, and he could rejoin the Giants' bullpen before the end of this season if all goes well. He holds a 5.60 ERA and 22:17 K:BB across 27.1 frames this season.

Chapman said Wednesday that he has yet to make any meaningful improvement in his recovery from the abdominal strain that sent him to the injured list July 1, Evan Webeck of the California Post reports.

After being placed on the IL, Chapman left the team a day later and went on paternity leave while while observing the birth of his first son. He's since rejoined the Giants, but given his lack of reported progress, Chapman appears unlikely to return from the IL when first eligible Saturday and could remain on the shelf through the All-Star break. Chapman's continued absence should clear the way for both Heliot Ramos and Victor Bericoto to handle near-everyday roles in the corner outfield, while Casey Schmitt serves as the primary replacement for Chapman at third base.

Bericoto is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bericoto will move to the bench after going 3-for-8 with three RBI and two runs in the first two contests of the series. He'll give up his spot in the outfield to Drew Gilbert, who will cover center and bat eight while Jung Hoo Lee shifts over to right field.

Cavanaugh is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Blue Jays.

The Giants and Blue Jays have a matinee Wednesday, so Cavanaugh will get a breather after starting at catcher Tuesday night. Eric Haase will be behind the dish in the rubber match.

Semien (hip) is unlikely to return before the end of July, Tim Britton and Will Sammon of The Athletic report.

Semien landed on the 10-day injured list in late June with a left hip flexor strain that's bothered him at least since early May. He believes the nagging injury affected his performance and was a result of compensating for an old foot injury, noting that "it got to the point where sprinting 100 percent was not possible." However, after working to "strengthen some things," Semien is "feeling really good." Semien will likely require a rehab assignment before returning to the Mets' active roster.

The Brewers optioned Gasser to their rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate Wednesday.

Gasser will be moved off the active roster after he was called up to serve as the Brewers' 27th man in Tuesday's doubleheader with the Cardinals. The southpaw started the second game of the twin bill, improving to 2-3 over his eight appearances on the season with Milwaukee after recording four strikeouts and limiting the Cardinals to two runs on four hits and one walk across a career-high 7.2 innings in the Brewers' 10-2 win. Though he's delivered sterling ratios over his last four starts with Milwaukee (2.52 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB in 25 innings), Gasser may have to wait a while for another opportunity in the big-league rotation. The Brewers recently lost Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) to the injured list, but Logan Henderson (back) will be reinstated from the IL on Thursday to bring the rotation back to five men.