MLB Player News

Baker is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Yankees.

Baker will take a seat Friday against Marcus Stroman and the Yankees. In Baker's place, Alec Burleson will DH and bat second.

Garcia is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

With lefty Shota Imanaga on the mound for Chicago, Garcia will give way to Ildemaro Vargas at second base. Garcia is 29-for-84 (.345) with four home runs and six stolen bases in August.

Hays is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against Atlanta.

This will be the second time he's been on the bench in eight contests since returning from a hamstring injury. With Hays receiving a day of rest, Brandon Marsh will slide over to left field and Johan Rojas will occupy center.

Bohm (hand) isn't part of the Phillies' starting lineup Friday against Atlanta, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Bohm was removed from Thursday's game against Atlanta with left hand discomfort that stemmed from a swing he took in the first inning. While X-rays on Bohm's hand came back negative, he'll get the evening off to recover. Edmundo Sosa will fill in for Bohm at the hot corner.

The Cardinals designated Pham for assignment Friday.

Pham was placed on waivers Thursday, but the Cardinals will now officially move him off the 40-man roster by designating him for assignment. The veteran outfielder had gone just 3-for-39 over his last 15 games with St. Louis, but with his proficiency against left-handed pitching and playoff pedigree, he could draw interest from contenders.

The Cardinals recalled Walker from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Walker went 1-for-11 during a six-game span with the Cardinals earlier in August, but 10 days after being optioned to Memphis, he returns to the 26-man roster. The 22-year-old outfielder replaces Tommy Pham, who was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Walker is 10-for-69 (.145) with a triple, four doubles, four runs and four RBI this season with St. Louis and while he'll like be deployed primarily against left-handed pitching in the short term, he could get a chance to start if St. Louis fades out of the playoff picture.

Jefferies (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Jefferies has been out of commission for nearly two months with right elbow inflammation, so he will probably require multiple rehab appearances. Once the Pirates decide the right-hander is ready, he could be used in long relief.

The Pirates placed Heller on the 15-day injured list Friday with right shoulder inflammation.

Heller tossed 7.1 scoreless innings covering his first four appearances after being recalled Aug. 10 but had surrendered four runs over his last two outings, so it's possible the shoulder has been bothering him for a bit. It's not clear how long he might be sidelined.

The Pirates activated McCutchen (knee) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

McCutchen missed the last two weeks with left knee inflammation but recently resumed workouts. He will skip a rehab assignment and go right back onto the Pirates' active roster. McCutchen had been the team's everyday designated hitter before the injury and should resume that role.

Butto (6-3) picked up the win Thursday, walking one batter in a scoreless inning of relief.

The right-hander threw only nine of 20 pitches for strikes but escaped the eighth inning unscathed to protect a 2-2 tie, and Butto became the pitcher of record when the Mets went ahead in the top of the ninth. He's had trouble finding the plate consistently for a couple weeks now, and Butto has walked at least one batter in six straight appearances, posting a 4.32 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 9:7 K:BB in 8.1 innings over that stretch. Given the injuries in the Mets' bullpen, however, Butto will likely continue to be deployed in high-leverage spots.