MLB Player News

Cavalli (elbow) worked up to 35 pitches in a simulated game last Tuesday, and the Nationals will have him go through a normal spring training progression over the next month before determining whether he's ready to come off the injured list, Bobby Blanco of MASN Sports reports.

"We don't want to rush things and get back to the point where we're hurting. So it's just going to be a really good build up," Cavalli said Friday while visiting the team's clubhouse during a series in Miami. "Hopefully, everything keeps responding how it is. I know they have a great plan. The staff is unbelievable and they have it set up to where I can get back fully healthy, ready to go help the club." Cavalli hasn't pitched in the majors since 2022 due to Tommy John surgery performed in March 2023, but the Nats are hoping the 26-year-old right-hander can be a factor in the big-league rotation at some point in the second half this season.

Acuna went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's extra-inning loss to the Twins.

Making his fourth straight start at second base, Acuna extended his hitting streak to six games while swiping his fifth bag in five attempts. The 23-year-old is batting .381 (8-for-21) during his heater with two doubles, six runs and a 3:4 BB:K, and the Mets may be exploring ways to keep Acuna in the lineup -- Jeff McNeil (oblique) is seeing time in center field during his rehab assignment.

Soriano has an 8.10 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 8:5 K:BB through 10 innings over six appearances.

The 26-year-old right-hander did pick up a win in extra innings March 29 against the Pirates, but Soriano has zero holds or saves so far as he's been mainly limited to low-leverage duty. He's been tagged for at least one run in four straight outings, and given that he has a minor-league option remaining, he could get bumped down to Triple-A Jacksonville once Declan Cronin (hip) is ready to come off the IL.

Wynns will start at catcher and bat ninth in Thursday's game against the Mariners.

With Jose Trevino resting for the day game after a night game, Wynns will crack the lineup for the seventh time in 19 games on the season. Wynns is batting .308 with a home run and two walks over 15 plate appearances, but he owns a .271 wOBA and 67 wRC+ across parts of seven seasons in the big leagues and doesn't profile as an appealing fantasy option. He'll likely lose his spot on the roster once Tyler Stephenson (oblique) is cleared to return from the injured list.

MLB announced Thursday that Lopez has been suspended three games for intentionally throwing at the Pirates' Andrew McCutchen in Wednesday's 6-1 loss, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports. Lopez will appeal the suspension and will remain available for Thursday's series finale in Pittsburgh.

After hitting Bryan Reynolds with a pitch with two outs in bottom of the seventh, Lopez threw near McCutchen's head three pitches later and incited a benches-clearing brawl. Lopez was ejected from the contest, as was Reynolds for his role in the ensuing brawl. The right-hander was the only player issued a suspension for the incident, however, though Nationals manager Dave Martinez was also handed a one-game ban that he'll serve Thursday. Until his hearing takes place or unless he drops the appeal, Lopez will remain eligible to appear in games for Washington.

The Brewers optioned Dunn to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday.

Dunn has started at third base all 11 times the Brewers have faced a right-handed pitcher this season, but he'll head back to the minors after slashing just .167/.205/.222 across 41 plate appearances. The Brewers have not announced a corresponding roster move, but they could recall Caleb Durbin from Nashville to take over as their primary option at the hot corner.

Bell is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates.

With Thursday's game beginning at 12:35 p.m. ET, Bell will get some rest after he had started at designated hitter or at first base in each of Washington's last seven contests while going 3-for-27 with a home run and three walks over that stretch. Bell's absence from the lineup will allow the Nationals to give James Wood a day out of the outfield and deploy him as their DH.

Adams will start at catcher and bat eighth in Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Though he's been on the Washington roster all season, Adams will enter the lineup for just the second time while top backstop Keibert Ruiz rests after starting behind the dish in 17 of the first 18 games. The Nationals will likely lighten Ruiz's workload a bit as the season unfolds, but Adams still probably won't be in line for more than a start or two per week while Ruiz is healthy.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Ruiz will receive a breather for just the second time all season while the Nationals and Pirates wrap up their series with a day game after a night game. Riley Adams will check in behind the plate, forming a battery with starting pitcher Trevor Williams.

Hill is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Though Arizona is sending a southpaw (Eduardo Rodriguez) to the hill for the series finale, the right-handed-hitting Hill will head to the bench while Dane Myers picks up a start in center field. With the recent return of Jesus Sanchez from the injured list adding another option to a crowded outfield, Hill could end up settling for more of a part-time role after picking up starts in 11 of Miami's first 17 games of the season.