MLB Player News

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

Taylor will exit the lineup for the first time since June 15, breaking a streak of 13 consecutive starts. Since being called up from Triple-A El Paso on June 3, Taylor has been able to take control of an everyday role in the outfield and of the No. 2 spot in the San Diego lineup by slashing .329/.414/.382 with one home run, six stolen bases, 11 RBI and 12 runs through 21 games. Taylor should remain a strong source of steals while he continues to play regularly, but fantasy managers should plan for a further downturn in his batting average, which has been propped up by a .490 BABIP.

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

Fermin will rest for Wednesday's matinee game after he started at catcher in the first two contests of the series. Rodolfo Duran will step in behind the dish Wednesday and will bat eighth.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that the goal is for Cabrera (hamstring) to be throwing bullpen sessions before the All-Star break, Casey Drottar of MLB.com reports.

Cabrera landed on the 15-day injured list one week ago because of a moderate left hamstring strain. If Cabrera is able to resume mound work before the break, he would seem to have a chance to rejoin the Cubs' rotation before the end of July. However, the righty needs to check off a few boxes before a clearer timeline emerges.

Taillon (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Taillon has missed a little more than three weeks as he works his way back from a left hamstring strain, and he's progressed enough to test himself in a game setting. The right-hander has a chance to rejoin the Cubs rotation for one start before the All-Star break, assuming he comes out of Sunday's outing with no issues and gets his pitch count up to a sufficient level.

Houser allowed two earned runs on five hits, including a home run, and one walk while striking out one in 5.1 relief innings during Tuesday's 8-2 loss to Arizona.

Landen Roupp surrendered six earned runs in just 2.2 innings, opening the door for Houser to cover the rest of the game. The 33-year-old right-hander was moved to the bullpen after drawing his last start June 16. He's made two relief appearances since then, allowing two earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out two in 7.2 innings. Overall, he owns a 5.38 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 50:26 K:BB in 73.2 innings this season.

Alvarez will be used in a bulk-relief role Wednesday in Boston, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

All five of Alvarez's appearances in June were traditional starts, but he's operated as a bulk reliever multiple times this season. Brad Lord will open the gme Wednesday for the Nationals and is capable of logging multiple frames, so Alvarez could end up being deployed as part of a piggyback arrangement.

Lord will be the Nationals' opening pitcher in Wednesday's game versus the Red Sox, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

He'll take the ball first before eventually turning the game over to left-hander Andrew Alvarez. Lord has been a starting pitcher in the past and has been used primarily in long relief this season, so he's capable of logging multiple innings Wednesday, if needed.

Mejia has touched 99 mph with his fastball this season, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports, and over four scoreless innings since a promotion to Triple-A Rochester he's given up just one hit and two walks while striking out four batters.

The minor-league infielder converted to the mound last season, and Mejia's raw stuff has taken a significant step forward in 2026. Finding the plate consistently remains an issue, as he's issued 14 walks in 27 innings between Double-A Harrisburg and Rochester this season, but the 31-year-old right-hander has also fanned 34 batters. Given the Nationals' issues finding viable high-leverage relievers this season, Mejia is positioning himself to get a big-league audition some time in the second half.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

The Nationals will give Ruiz a rest for the matinee contest after he started behind the plate in each of the last three games. Drew Millas will receive the nod at catcher and form a battery with starting pitcher Andrew Alvarez.

Weaver worked a perfect eighth inning in Tuesday's win over the Blue Jays to record his 10th hold of the season. He didn't strike out a batter.

Two groundouts and a pop-up got the job done for Weaver as he extended his scoreless streak to 24 innings, with the last run against him coming April 30. Over that impressive stretch, the veteran right-hander has a 0.63 WHIP and 31:5 K:BB while collecting eight holds, but zero wins or saves.