MLB Player News

Lindor (calf) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Binghamton on Friday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Lindor has been on the shelf since late April due to a strained left calf, but after resuming full baseball activities last week, he's now been cleared to test his calf in minor-league games. The Mets expect the star shortstop to return to their lineup before the end of the month, so it doesn't seem like he's in line for a lengthy stay in the minors.

Nootbaar is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in Kansas City.

Since he returned from the injured list earlier this month, the left-handed-hitting Nootbaar has been out of the lineup each of the three times the Cardinals have faced a traditional lefty starter. However, it could be more about picking spots to rest Nootbaar following a long layoff than it is about him being in a platoon. Nelson Velazquez will play left field for St. Louis in the series opener.

Church is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Kansas City.

Church made nine consecutive starts in center field after returning from the injured list June 9, but the left-handed hitter will take a seat for this one as the Royals send southpaw Noah Cameron to the hill. Jose Fermin will patrol center field for the Cardinals.

Garcia will undergo season-ending surgery Wednesday to repair a torn right lat.

Garcia suffered the injury last week while making a throw and was placed on the 60-day injured list. He is expected to require 6-to-8 months to recover, giving him enough time to be ready for the start of the 2027 season if all goes well. Garcia finishes the season with a .195/.270/.329 batting line and seven home runs over 67 contests for the Phillies. The 33-year-old will become a free agent after the season.

The Phillies selected Wilson's contract from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Wilson hasn't been great at Lehigh Valley, authoring a 6.29 ERA and 58:21 K:BB over 54.1 frames. The 28-year-old will provide bullpen protection after the Phillies had to use six relievers and a position player on the mound in Wednesday's loss to the Marlins. Wilson is also a candidate to fill the rotation spot vacated by Andrew Painter's demotion, depending on how he's utilized in the coming days.

The Phillies recalled Johnson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Johnson has been on a roll with Lehigh Valley this season, posting a 1.33 ERA and 40:10 K:BB over 27 innings. He's struggled for consistency at the major-league level with an 8.68 ERA over 14 outings, so the Phillies are likely to use him in low-leverage spots initially.

The Phillies optioned Banks to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Though he's struck out 31 in 27.2 innings this season, Banks has also issued 13 walks while holding a 5.86 ERA and 1.92 WHIP. He'll try to get straightened out at Lehigh Valley.

Perez won't pitch against the Giants on Thursday, as the game was postponed due to rain.

Thursday's contest has been rescheduled for Aug. 31, and it's likely that Perez's next start will now come Friday against Milwaukee. The 35-year-old has been fairly consistent all season, pitching to a 2.90 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 14 appearances (10 starts), and he's recorded a win in each of his last three outings.

The Cardinals selected Rajcic's contract from Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

A sixth-round pick in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft, Rajcic's career had stalled out as a starting pitcher. However, he has blossomed this season after moving to the bullpen, posting a 2.88 ERA and 46:14 K:BB over 40.2 innings with Memphis. Rajcic will be making his major-league debut when/if he enters a game, and he'll likely fill a multi-inning middle relief role.

The Cardinals designated Roycroft for assignment Thursday.

The transaction clears space on the 40-man roster for the addition of Max Rajcic. Roycroft has flashed promise in spurts for the Cardinals but holds an unsightly 6.41 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 52:37 K:BB over 60.1 innings covering parts of three big-league seasons.