MLB Player News

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said on MLB Network Radio that Marte (back) will be back in the lineup for Friday's game against the Nationals, Dani Wexelman of Cardinals.tv reports.

Marte was a late scratch Thursday versus the Cardinals due to back tightness, but he'll be back in action following a one-day absence. The switch-hitting second baseman has struggled thus far in July, slashing .229/.276/.343 across 76 plate appearances.

Drake is slated to start Sunday's game against the Nationals in Washington, D.C.

Unsurprisingly, Drake earned himself another turn through the rotation after delivering a sterling performance in his MLB debut Tuesday. He took a no-decision, holding the A's to one run on four hits and two walks while striking out five batters across five innings in an eventual extra-inning win. Before receiving his promotion to the big leagues, the 26-year-old southpaw had submitted a 6.92 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 60:31 K:BB with Triple-A Reno across 66.1 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

Lowder is slated to start Friday's game against the Cardinals in St. Louis.

After heading to the bullpen shortly before the All-Star break, Lowder shifted back into the rotation to open the second half of the season after Cincinnati placed Nick Lodolo (finger) on the injured list. Making his 14th start of the campaign this past Saturday at Coors Field, Lowder was roughed up for eight earned runs on 11 hits over 2.1 innings, inflating his ERA up to 5.75. He'll get a chance to right the ship Friday, but regardless of how he performs, he'll likely be headed back to the bullpen or to Triple-A Louisville once Lodolo is ready to come off the IL.

Littell is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Carson Palmquist in Friday's game against the Diamondbacks, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Littell served as a traditional starter in his last appearance Saturday in Sacramento, but he was blasted for eight runs on eight hits and four walks across six innings in a loss to the Athletics. The Nationals will look to coax better results from Littell by deploying him out of the bullpen, with the right-hander likely to take over once Palmquist covers the first inning or two. Littell has submitted a 2.94 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 11.3 K-BB% in 33.2 innings over seven bulk-relief outings this season.

Baldwin went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's win over the Padres.

The 25-year-old backstop wrapped up the scoring for Atlanta when he took Matt Waldron deep in the seventh inning. It was Baldwin's 19th homer of the year and his fourth in seven games since the All-Star break -- a stretch in which he's batting a scorching .481 (13-for-27) with eight runs, nine RBI and a 6:2 BB:K.

Harris went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Thursday's win over the Padres.

The center fielder launched the first of four Atlanta long balls on the afternoon, taking Griffin Canning deep in the second inning for his 19th homer of the year. Harris has been locked in since getting snubbed for an All-Star Game appearance, and since the break he's batting .323 (10-for-31) with three doubles, three home runs, six runs and eight RBI in seven games.

The Cubs outrighted Pomeranz to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday.

Pomeranz cleared waivers after being booted from the Cubs' 40-man roster. The veteran southpaw has the ability to elect free agency, though it's unclear what his intentions are. Pomeranz holds a 5.59 ERA and 17:16 K:BB over 29 innings this season in the majors.

The Cubs optioned Alcantara to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday.

Alcantara's stint with the big club lasted more than three weeks, but he received just 11 plate appearances, going 3-for-11 with three RBI. The outfielder has put up a .936 OPS with 17 home runs for Iowa this season.

The Pirates optioned Murdock to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Murdock was up as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Yankees, but he did not make an appearance. The big right-hander has collected a 3.24 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 26:5 K:BB in 16.2 innings for Indianapolis in 2026.

The Marlins optioned Brzykcy to Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday.

Brzykcy made one scoreless appearance during his most recent stint in the majors. He's heading back to the minors in order to free up a roster spot for the return of John King (ankle) from the injured list.