MLB Player News

Crooks is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

After he was held out of the lineup for the first two games of the series against lefty starters, the left-handed hitter will remain on the bench even with right-hander Javier Assad on the bump for the Cubs. Crooks looks as though he'll have to settle for a part-time role while the Cardinals continue to carry two other catchers (Ivan Herrera and Pedro Pages) on the active roster.

Conforto is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Conforto started the previous three games and will take a seat Sunday after going 5-for-11 with two walks, two homers, four RBI and four runs during that span. The veteran outfielder should continue to see regular playing time against right-handed pitching through the All-Star break with Matt Shaw (hand) on the injured list, though Conforto is likely to continue sitting versus southpaws. Kevin Alcantara is starting as the designated hitter against St. Louis lefty Matthew Liberatore while Seiya Suzuki handles right field.

Fermin will start at third base and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Fermin will claim his third consecutive start -- and his second in a row at third base -- after going 3-for-9 with two doubles, one RBI and one run over the first two contests of the series. With rookie Blaze Jordan (.642 OPS) offering middling production at the hot corner since being promoted from Triple-A Memphis on June 12, Fermin has a path to unseating him atop the depth chart. The 27-year-old hasn't provided much power (.398 SLG) or speed (three steals) while logging 144 plate appearances this season, but Fermin's been able to maintain a solid .271 batting average with a strong 13.9 percent strikeout rate.

Jordan is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Jose Fermin will make a second consecutive start at third base over Jordan, whose grasp on an everyday role appears to be loosening. Before busting out for three hits and scoring three runs in a 17-1 romp Friday, Jordan had gone just 2-for-21 over his prior eight starts. He's slashing .246/.265/.377 overall since receiving a promotion from Triple-A Memphis on June 12.

The Pirates designated Wendzel for assignment Sunday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

He'll give up his spot on the 40-man roster to right-hander Noah Murdock, who exercised an upward-mobility clause in his minor-league contract. Wendzel, 29, appeared in two games for the Pirates back in June but has otherwise spent the entire campaign at Triple-A Indianapolis, with whom he's produced a .230/.349/.461 slash line and 10 home runs across 261 plate appearances.

The Pirates selected Murdock's contract and optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Murdock will be added to the 40-man roster after he exercised an upward-mobility clause in his minor-league contract that would have allowed him to test free agency had the Pirates not cleared a spot for him. The 27-year-old pitched at Single-A Bradenton and Double-A Altoona to begin the season before moving up to Triple-A in early June. Over the past month, Murdock has submitted a 4.26 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB in 12.2 innings out of the Indianapolis bullpen.

May (ankle) is scheduled to start Monday's game against the Brewers in St. Louis, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The right-hander departed his start Thursday against Atlanta after taking a comebacker off his ankle during a 34-pitch first inning, but he'll re-enter the rotation Monday on just three days' rest. May has surrendered 11 runs in his past two starts, but he submitted a 1.30 ERA, 0.58 WHIP and 33:4 K:BB across 27.2 frames in his four starts prior to that.

The Brewers placed Woodruff on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to right shoulder inflammation, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Manager Pat Murphy said after Woodruff departed Saturday's start against the Diamondbacks that the right-hander is dealing with an inflamed labrum, so his move to the IL isn't a surprise. The 33-year-old dealt with a similar injury earlier this season that led to a "dead arm" feeling and sidelined him for six weeks, per Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, with the return of a cyst being a possible cause for why Woodruff is experiencing that sensation once again. It's unclear how long Woodruff is expected to be out this time around, but he's likely to be shelved for well beyond the 15-day minimum. Woodruff has been effective this season with a 2.98 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 47:10 K:BB across 45.1 innings, but the shoulder problems continue to limit his availability.

Nunez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Jorbit Vivas will pick up a start at second base while Nunez gets a breather after starting five straight games. During that stretch, Nunez was unable to build on his MLB-leading total of 32 steals, but he went 3-for-15 with four walks while blasting his first home run of the season.

Young (hand) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Young will be kept on the bench for a third consecutive game while he manages a sore left hand. In Young's stead, Dylan Crews will cover center field Sunday and bat sixth.