MLB Player News

Atlanta will designate Verdugo for assignment prior to Wednesday's game against the Angels, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The club needs to free up spots on the 26-man active roster and 40-man roster to make room for Jurickson Profar, who will be reinstated from the restricted list Wednesday after serving an 80-game suspension. Verdugo saw plenty of chances in left field as Atlanta sought a fill-in for Profar, but he produced a palty .239/.296/.289 batting line with zero home runs over 56 contests. The 29-year-old is likely to pass through waivers unclaimed and is expected to eventually become a free agent.

Maldonado is out of the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Phillies.

Elias Diaz will draw the start behind the dish for the first game of the day, but expect Maldonado to handle catching duties for the nightcap. Maldonado batted just .179 with two home runs, five runs and three RBI over 20 games in June, but despite his lackluster production, he still appears to be the Padres' preferred catcher.

Bell is out of the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Tigers.

The switch-hitting Bell will open the first game of the twin bill on the bench while the Tigers send lefty Tyler Holton to begin the contest. Bell has been far more productive against righties (92 wRC+ in 229 plate appearance) than lefties (26 wRC+ in 53 plate appearances) this season, so the Nationals could look to use him as more of a platoon player moving forward.

Adams is out of the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Tigers.

Drew Millas will start behind the plate for the early game, but Adams will presumably return to the lineup for the nightcap to handle catching duties. Since Keibert Ruiz (concussion) landed on the 7-day injured list June 24, Adams had started in four of the Nationals' last five games.

The Reds recalled Zulueta from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

The Reds and Red Sox will resume a suspended game Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. ET before playing their regularly scheduled contest later in the evening. Zulueta will be available as the 27th man for the latter tilt. He's allowed one run over 2.1 innings covering two relief appearances with the big club this season.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said that he expects Woodruff (elbow/ankle/shoulder) to return from the 60-day injured list to start Sunday's game against the Marlins in Miami, Sophia Minnaert of FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin reports.

Woodruff has faced a long road back from his October 2023 capsule repair surgery on his right shoulder and was further set back during his rehab assignment when he battled right ankle tendinitis in May and a right elbow contusion in June, but he's finally ready to make his 2025 debut for Milwaukee. Over the course of his 10-start assignment between High-A Wisconsin and Triple-A Nashville, Woodruff accrued a 2.79 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 35:12 K:BB in 42 innings. He built up to 82 pitches in his final minor-league outing Sunday, and while the Brewers will likely keep a close eye on his workload in Miami, Woodruff should be able to work deep enough into the game to qualify for a win. Woodruff owns a career 3.10 ERA over parts of seven big-league seasons and looks like a worthy speculative pickup in most fantasy leagues where he's available, though managers should keep expectations in check while he makes his first MLB appearance in 652 days.

Crews (oblique) has begun hitting off a tee and taking soft-toss batting practice, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The 23-year-old outfielder is being brought along slowly by the Nationals after suffering an oblique strain May 20, but Crews is making progress and ramping up his activity level. Given the length of his absence, a return before the All-Star break seems unlikely. The second overall pick in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft was slashing just .196/.266/.354 over 45 games this season when he was sidelined.

Chafin (hamstring) threw a simulated game before Tuesday's game was postponed due to rain, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The veteran southpaw has been sidelined since June 8 due to a strained hamstring. Chafin isn't expected to need a rehab assignment, and if he doesn't have any issues following Tuesday's session, he could be activated from the IL later this week.

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

The left-handed-hitting Frazier will hit the bench for the Pirates' third straight matchup with a right-hander (Sonny Gray) and appears to have moved back into a utility role. Though he's posted a .762 OPS while batting .306 dating back to May 20, Frazier has been overtaken in left field by Tommy Pham, who offers more power upside with four extra-base hits (two home runs, two doubles) in his last seven contests.

Pham will start in left field and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

For the fourth game in a row, Pham will be included in the lineup against a right-handed starting pitcher (Sonny Gray). Pham appears to have overtaken Adam Frazier as the Pirates' preferred option in left field, with Pham's recent uptick in playing time coming while he's gone 11-for-25 (.440 average) with two home runs, 11 RBI and four runs over his last seven games.