MLB Player News

Bleday is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

The left-handed-hitting Bleday was included in the lineup against a lefty starter (Robert Gasser) in the series opener, but he'll head to the bench Wednesday while Milwaukee sends another southpaw (Shane Drohan) to the bump. Ivan Johnson will replace Bleday in left field in what will be his first MLB start.

Holmes could remain in Atlanta's bullpen moving forward, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Holmes made 15 starts for Atlanta before tossing four scoreless relief innings during his last appearance against the Giants on Saturday. While Holmes could make another start Thursday versus the Cardinals if Hurston Waldrep is needed in relief Wednesday, the club's preference is to keep Holmes in the bullpen. The right-hander has collected a 3.96 ERA and 69:37 K:BB over 77.1 frames this season.

Waldrep could start Thursday's game against the Cardinals if he isn't needed out of the bullpen Wednesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Reynaldo Lopez is starting Wednesday's game, and if he's able to go at least 4-to-5 innings, Atlanta will likely go with Waldrep as its starter for Thursday's series finale. If the right-hander has to pitch in relief Wednesday, however, Grant Holmes could draw Thursday's start. Waldrep had surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow back in February, but he threw 55 pitches over two scoreless relief innings during his season debut for Atlanta last week. His highest pitch count over five minor-league starts was 71, so the righty isn't fully stretched out yet.

McLain will start in center field and bat eighth in Wednesday's game versus the Brewers.

McLain played a frame in center field Tuesday after entering that contest as a pinch hitter, and now he's making his first career start at the position. If he proves capable of handling center field defensively, McLain could draw regular starts there against lefties while Blake Dunn (elbow) and Dane Myers (shoulder) are shelved.

Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said Wednesday that Keller (forearm) is expected to return before the All-Star break, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Keller threw a live batting practice session Tuesday and could make a rehab appearance Friday. The right-handed reliever has been sidelined since mid-June with forearm tendinitis, and he might require just the one rehab outing before being reinstated from the 15-day injured list.

Carrigg is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

Carrigg will hit the bench after he started the Rockies' last three games while going 4-for-11 with a double, a stolen base and two runs. The Rockies will go with a starting outfield of Troy Johnston, Jake McCarthy and Tyler Freeman on Wednesday.

Julien is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

Julien has been a fixture in the lineup against right-handed pitching lately, but he'll cede second base to Willi Castro on Wednesday while Miami sends right-hander Max Meyer to the bump. Julien has generated a modest .646 OPS on the season, but he picked up his production in June, finishing the month with a .288./422/.365 slash line over 22 games.

Rodriguez is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Phillies.

Rodriguez started the first two games of the series (one at catcher, one at first base) but will get a breather in Thursday's tilt. Henry Davis will be behind the dish and bat ninth for the Pirates.

Lopez will start Wednesday's game against the Cardinals in Atlanta.

Lopez will be making his second straight appearance as a starter, though Mark Bowman of MLB.com previously reported that Atlanta could once again have Hurston Waldrep piggyback the veteran right-hander. In his last appearance Friday in San Francisco, Lopez threw three innings of one-run ball before Waldrep followed with two scoreless frames in relief. Lopez tossed 57 pitches in that outing, but even if he gets piggybacked agin, he could still push up his pitch count a bit more Wednesday.

Assad worked in relief during Tuesday's 9-7 win over the Padres, striking out one over 2.2 innings while allowing four earned runs on five hits and two walks.

After a three-game run as a starter during which he went 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over 16.2 innings, Assad was somewhat surprisingly deployed in relief Tuesday. In his second start back from the injured list, Matthew Boyd was lifted after covering the first five innings, with Assad entering behind him and being tasked with protecting a five-run lead. Assad's move to the bullpen doesn't sound like it will be a permanent one, with manager Craig Counsell telling Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network on Wednesday that the right-hander will make one more start before the All-Star break. However, with Jameson Taillon (hamstring) nearing a return from the injured list, Assad could be the odd man out of the rotation when the Cubs open their second-half schedule.