MLB Player News

Merrifield (head) is starting at second base and batting second Friday against the Blue Jays.

The 35-year-old sat out the past two games after being struck in the head by a pitch Tuesday, but he's back in action for Friday's series opener versus Toronto. Merrifield has been fairly productive since latching on with Atlanta and has a .248/.359/.349 slash line with a homer and five stolen bases in 33 games.

Suarez (8-3) took the loss and blew a save against the Tigers on Thursday, allowing four runs on two hits and two walks while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning.

Suarez entered Thursday having successfully converted eight straight save chances, but he didn't have his best stuff against Detroit. The right-hander had a three-run lead to work with in the top of the ninth and found himself in quick trouble, giving up a leadoff single followed by a walk. Suarez retired Spencer Torkelson on a popup but then issued another walk to load the bases. It looked like the closer might get out of the jam when he fanned Kerry Carpenter for the second out, but Parker Meadows followed with a grand slam on a 3-2 fastball to push the Tigers into the lead. Suarez has been great this year with 31 saves in 35 opportunities, but he has faded a bit lately, posting a 6.23 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over his last 13 innings while giving up at least one earned run in six of 14 appearances since Aug. 3. If San Diego were to consider moving Suarez out of the closer role, Tanner Scott -- who has 20 saves (mostly with Miami) and a 1.44 ERA on the campaign -- would be a very capable fill-in.

Tait is slashing .272/.313/.466 with five home runs in 27 games since getting promoted to Single-A Clearwater.

Tait's numbers are fantastic, but they are even more impressive when factoring in his age -- he turned 18 on Aug. 27. The lefty-hitting backstop slashed .321/.377/.500 with six homers and five steals in the Florida Complex League before getting promoted, and he has a chance to shoot up prospect lists, especially real-life rankings, in the coming years.

The Nationals designated Blankenhorn for assignment Friday.

The 28-year-old was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Aug. 20 and has now lost his place on the 40-man roster. Blankenhorn has an .821 OPS in 106 games with Rochester this season and could remain with the affiliate if he passes through waivers unclaimed.

The Nationals claimed Rucker off waivers Friday and optioned him to Triple-A Rochester.

The right-hander was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Wednesday, and he'll stick in the NL East after being claimed off waivers. Rucker hasn't pitched in the majors this season and has struggled at the Triple-A level with a 7.36 ERA across 22 innings, though he was a solid bullpen piece for the Cubs in 2022 with a 3.95 ERA in 41 appearances.

Blackmon is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Brewers.

Blackmon has a .269/.321/.500 slash line with three extra-base hits in his past seven games but will head to the bench for Friday's contest. Nolan Jones will receive a turn at designated hitter while Sam Hilliard starts in left for the series opener in Milwaukee.

Rodgers is out of the lineup for Friday's game at Milwaukee.

Rodgers started the previous seven games but will receive a day off after batting .310 (9-for-29) with three homers during that stretch. Aaron Schunk will take over at second base and bat ninth in the series opener.

Romo is not in Friday's lineup against the Brewers.

Romo started four straight games to start the month, but he'll head to the bench for the second game in a row Friday. Both of his absences have come against righties, with Jacob Stallings getting the nod Friday and Hunter Goodman starting Thursday behind the dish.

Davis (back) has gone 4-for-27 with a double, three walks, three runs and one RBI in seven games for Triple-A Iowa since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list Aug. 27.

Davis missed just over two and a half months with a back fracture but is finally healthy again as the International League season winds down. Over 166 plate appearances with Iowa this season, Davis is slashing .212/.361/.470 with 10 home runs and one stolen base.

McCray went 0-for-3 with a stolen base in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

McCray reached on an error and stole second base in the third inning. After hitting .308 over the first 11 games of his major-league career, McCray has gone 1-for-19 over the last six contests, racking up 10 strikeouts in that span. The outfielder is still seeing regular playing time in center field and sports a .224/.262/.466 slash line over 61 plate appearances while adding three home runs, three steals, four RBI and five runs scored.