MLB Player News

Garcia is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs.

It's the first day off this season for Garcia, who is slashing only .212/.299/.329 with a pair of home runs and a 27.8 percent strikeout rate in his first 24 contests this season. Brandon Marsh is sliding over to right field, and Felix Reyes will get the start in left field as the Phillies try to avoid a ninth straight loss.

Kelly is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Phillies.

It's the first time this season Kelly has been out of the lineup for consecutive games, and he's now started just three of the last eight tilts. Miguel Amaya will draw a second straight start at catcher as the Cubs try to finish off a sweep.

Wood went 2-for-3 with two walks, a solo home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's loss to Atlanta.

The 23-year-old slugger has gone yard four times in the last six games, including a 413-foot shot off southpaw Martin Perez in the sixth inning Wednesday that cleared the visitors' bullpen in left-center field at Nationals Park. After a tepid start to the season, Wood is slashing a massive .339/.506/.774 over his last 17 games with eight of his nine homers on the year, along with four steals, 17 RBI and 21 runs.

Peralta tossed 1.2 relief innings against Colorado on Wednesday, allowing one run on one hit while striking out one batter.

The run Peralta allowed came on a Hunter Goodman homer. It was just the third run surrendered by Peralta this season over 11.2 frames, with two of the tallies coming via solo home runs. The southpaw's fantasy relevance is minimal since he has only one hold and zero saves so far, but he's been effective with a 2.31 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB across 11 outings.

Priester (wrist) yielded four runs on three walks while recording just two outs in his first rehab start with Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

After walking the first hitter of the game, Priester bounced back with consecutive strikeouts. Unfortunately, he then hit the next batter with a pitch before issuing two straight walks, the second of which forced in a run and spelled the end of his night. Three more runs were charged to his line after reliever Peter Strzelecki served up a grand slam. Even more disturbing than Priester's line was his velocity, as he averaged only 91.2 mph with his sinker (down from last year's 93.9 mph) and 88.9 mph with his cutter (down from last year's 92.3 mph). It was Priester's first game action since last October, so it's possible his velocity will rise as he gets ramped up. However, given that he's coming back from thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms, there's a chance the velocity will remain down. Priester will need multiple additional rehab starts before the Brewers consider reinserting him into their rotation.

Cruz was promoted to High-A Wilmington on Monday after beginning the season by slashing .333/.460/.627 over 14 games with three homers and 15 steals in 18 attempts for Single-A Fredericksburg, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

The Nationals have a logjam of top infield prospects in the low minors, but a breakout for Cruz could allow him to climb the ladder a little quicker than his peers. The 19-year-old shortstop was acquired from the Cubs at the trade deadline last year as part of the package for Michael Soroka, and in his first two games for Wilmington he's gone 2-for-9 with a homer.

Hartman is hitting .306 with six home runs, eight steals and a 27.9 percent strikeout rate in 15 games for High-A Rome.

A Canadian prep pick in the 2024 draft, Hartman played 83 games at Single-A last year but won't turn 20 until June, making him one of the youngest hitters at High-A. Hartman's .387 ISO is the seventh-highest mark at High-A and his 180 wRC+ ranks 16th at the level.

House is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus Atlanta.

House has a modest five-game hitting streak going, but he will get some rest during Thursday's matinee. Jorbit Vivas will occupy third base and bat eighth for the Nationals.

Heim went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Wednesday's win over the Nationals.

The 30-year-old got the start at catcher and hit ninth for Atlanta, and Heim did an effective job of flipping the lineup over in an 8-6 victory. Heim quietly has a six-game hitting streak dating back to April 7, batting .304 (7-for-23) over that stretch with three doubles, two RBI and a run. Heim isn't guaranteed to lose his spot on the 26-man roster when Sean Murphy (hip) gets healthy, given Atlanta's tendency to keep Drake Baldwin's bat in the lineup at DH when he isn't catching.

Olson went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's win over the Nationals.

Atlanta racked up eight runs and four homers in the first four innings of the contest, all off Zack Littell, with Olson's fourth-inning blast capping the offensive eruption. The first baseman is up to seven long balls in 25 games on the season to go along with a .265/.348/.582 slash line, 20 runs and 22 RBI.