MLB Player News

Cruz (back) is not in the Pirates' starting lineup against the Mets on Wednesday.

Cruz is out of the lineup for a fourth consecutive game due to back soreness that flared up during Saturday's extra-innings loss to Atlanta. The Pirates have a day off Thursday, so Cruz will have additional time to rest ahead of Friday's series opener against the Phillies. Alexander Canario, Ji Hwan Bae and Bryan Reynolds will man the outfield for Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

Fedde allowed three hits and four walks while striking out three over 5.2 scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Phillies in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Fedde's control issues returned Wednesday after he pitched a six-hit shutout with no walks versus the Nationals last Friday. The right-hander didn't pay for his wildness in this start, which he finished with 93 pitches (51 strikes). Fedde lowered his ERA to 3.44, but his WHIP is elevated at 1.30, and he's not inspiring much confidence with a 32:25 K:BB over 52.1 innings. He's never been particularly reliant on strikeouts, but he's historically had trouble being any better than mediocre when carrying a BB/9 over 4.0. He's lined up for a tough matchup at home versus the Tigers next week.

Ruiz is not in the Nationals' starting lineup against Atlanta on Wednesday.

Ruiz went 0-for-4 in Tuesday's loss to Atlanta, which ended his on-base streak at 11 games. He'll get a breather Wednesday while Riley Adams starts behind home plate and bats ninth.

Romano struck out three in a perfect inning to earn the save in a 2-1 win over the Cardinals in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Romano struck out the side on 13 pitches (10 strikes) to earn his second save in a row. He's on a six-inning scoreless streak, allowing just three hits with no walks and eight strikeouts in that span. Romano has earned four saves in six chances this season and has added four holds. He's at an 8.22 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB, but he appears to have things under control after his early struggles. Romano's recent success has put him back in the mix for saves, though he could still share closing duties with Jose Alvarado, who allowed a hit and a walk over one-third of an inning while pitching in the eighth in this game.

Hill is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

After being activated from the 10-day injured list Monday, Hill started in center field in the first two games of the series with Atlanta and went 2-for-8 with a home run, a stolen base, two RBI and an additional run. Kyle Stowers will get the nod in center Wednesday, but Hill should see the bulk of the starts at the position until Dane Myers (oblique) returns from the IL.

Stephenson is not in the Reds' starting lineup against the White Sox on Wednesday.

Stephenson will get a breather Wednesday after going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the White Sox. Jose Trevino will start behind the dish and bat sixth.

Luzardo (4-0) allowed a run on five hits and two walks while striking out six over seven innings to earn the win in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Cardinals.

Luzardo gave up the opening run of the game, a Jordan Walker RBI single, in the seventh inning, but the Phillies answered with two runs of their own a half-inning later. This was Luzardo's third time completing seven innings this season, and he's yet to pitch less than five frames. He's also given up no more than three runs in all nine of his starts this year, which puts him at a 2.00 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 57:15 K:BB across 54 innings. Luzardo's next start is projected to be at Colorado.

Heyward is not in the Padres' starting lineup against the Angels on Wednesday.

Heyward has struggled at the plate this season and has gone 3-for-26 with one home run and six RBI since the beginning of May. Brandon Lockridge will start in left field and bat eighth while Heyward begins the game in the dugout.

Young is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta.

Alex Call will pick up a start in right field Wednesday while Dylan Crews covers Young's usual spot in center field. Young had started 14 of the Nationals' last 15 games, slashing .217/.265/.261 with three stolen bases, seven runs and four RBI over that stretch.

Diaz is not in the Padres' starting lineup against the Angels on Wednesday.

Diaz will ride the pine for a second straight game while Martin Maldonado starts behind home plate and bats ninth. Diaz has gone 8-for-25 with a solo home run and six runs scored since the beginning of May.