MLB Player News

Garcia (knee) will start at first base and bat second Saturday against Atlanta.

Garcia was forced to make an early exit from Friday's game due to right knee soreness, but the injury won't cause him to miss any starts. The 26-year-old is enjoying a career season and hasn't slowed down in the second half, slashing .280/.294/.600 with three homers, eight RBI and three runs scored in 13 games since the break.

Rodriguez isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Reds.

Rodriguez has notched a hit in all four of his games since returning from the injured list Monday, but he'll retreat to the bench to begin Saturday's contest. Henry Davis will instead handle catching duties and bat ninth.

The Pirates designated Stratton for assignment Saturday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Stratton will give up his place on Pittsburgh's 40-man roster to make room for Camilo Doval, who was acquired in a trade with the Yankees on Saturday. Stratton has given up two runs in 3.1 big-league innings this season but hasn't yet allowed a run through eight frames at Triple-A Indianapolis.

Myers isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Pittsburgh.

Myers has gone 8-for-21 while compiling a six-game hitting streak, but the Reds will give him a chance to rest Saturday. JJ Bleday, TJ Friedl and Noelvi Marte will start across the outfield while Myers is on the bench.

Stephenson isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates.

Stephenson has tallied at least one base hit in each of his last four games, but the Reds will keep him in the dugout to begin Saturday's contest while Jose Trevino starts at catcher, batting seventh.

Dubon isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Nationals.

Dubon will get a chance to clear his head Saturday after posting just a .513 OPS in 15 games since the All-Star break. His absence will allow Mike Yastrzemski to start in left field while Dominic Smith serves as Atlanta's designated hitter.

The Pirates recalled Mattson from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Mattson has given up four runs across his last two big-league appearances, but the Pirates will bring him back into their bullpen as the replacement for Antwone Kelly. Sporting a 4.93 ERA and 1.56 WHIP through 34.2 innings in the majors, Mattson will likely be limited to low-leverage work.

The Pirates optioned Kelly to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Kelly pitched three shutout innings during Friday's loss to the Reds, but he'll now be pushed off the big-league roster by Isaac Mattson in an effort to keep Pittsburgh's bullpen well-rested. Now with a 6.14 MLB ERA through 7.1 frames, Kelly could still return to the majors later in the year to supply the Pirates with length out of the pen.

The Pirates reinstated Flores (concussion) from the injured list Saturday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

After suffering a concussion last weekend, Flores is now fully recovered and will claim the roster spot vacated by Ryan O'Hearn (quad), who landed on the 10-day injured list Saturday. Flores has gone 4-for-15 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored in the majors this year and will provide depth at catcher and first base.

The Pirates placed O'Hearn on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a left quad strain, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

O'Hearn had to be helped off the field Friday after tweaking his quad while running to first base, and he's expected to remain on the shelf for roughly 6-to-8 weeks after being diagnosed with a strain. His initial timeline leaves room for him to return during the final weeks of the regular season, but the Pirates could elect to keep him out for the rest of the year depending on where they sit in the race for a postseason berth. Until then, Jacob Gonzalez figures to see more time at first base, while Rafael Flores (concussion) will come off the IL to fill the open roster spot.