MLB Player News

Taylor (groin) took batting practice Saturday and is expected to report to the Dodgers' spring training facility in Arizona this week to get in more live at-bats before heading out on a rehab assignment, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Of the four Dodgers hitters currently on the injured list, Taylor looks to be the furthest away from returning. Mookie Betts (hand) is on track to be activated Monday, and Max Muncy (oblique) and Tommy Edman (wrist) are in the midst of rehab assignments and could be activated as soon as Aug. 19. Taylor shouldn't be too far behind Muncy and Edman if he begins a rehab assignment by next weekend, but playing time could be hard to come by for the 33-year-old utility man once he eventually makes his way back to the big club. Taylor had started at second base, third base or in left field in nine of the Dodgers' last 11 games before he landed on the injured list July 25 with a left groin strain, but Gavin Lux, Muncy and Teoscar Hernandez should all be locked in as starters at those respective positions by the time Taylor is activated.

President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Sunday in an interview with Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM that he expects Muncy (oblique) to be reinstated from the 60-day injured list at some point during the Dodgers' next homestand, which begins Aug. 19.

Out since mid-May due to a significant right oblique strain, Muncy finally reached the last stage of his recovery program by kicking off a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday. He started at third base and played six innings in the field while going 1-for-2 with a double, a walk and an RBI. Though Muncy is back in the lineup Sunday at designated hitter for Oklahoma City, he'll presumably get in a few more games at third base and potentially even at first base during the upcoming week as he works to regain his timing at the plate. Assuming he avoids any setbacks with his oblique during the rehab assignment, Muncy should step back into an everyday role in the infield right away once the Dodgers activate him.

President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Sunday in an interview with Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM that he expects Edman (wrist) to be reinstated from the 60-day injured list during the Dodgers' next homestand, which begins Aug. 19.

On the shelf all season while recovering from right wrist surgery in addition to being slowed down by a sprained ankle during his rehab program, Edman appeared in eight games as a designated hitter for the Cardinals' Double-A affiliate before he was traded to the Dodgers on July 29. Edman had taken part in workouts and simulated games in front of the Dodgers' coaching staff in the week and a half after his acquisition before he resumed his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, when he started in center field and went 1-for-3 with a run scored while playing six innings. According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Edman would play primarily in center field during his rehab assignment, but the 29-year-old is also likely to get some exposure to the infield while with Oklahoma City. Edman may not unseat Andy Pages as the primary option in center field once activated, but he should find a regular spot in the lineup somewhere in the infield or outfield when the Dodgers face left-handed pitching.

Freeland allowed three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out one over 3.2 innings in a no-decision versus Atlanta on Sunday.

Freeland was limited to 65 pitches (40 strikes), though he gave up a solo home run to Austin Riley and a two-run homer to Travis d'Arnaud in a shaky start. This was the third time in four outings Freeland failed to complete five innings -- he's allowed 13 runs over 19.1 innings in that span. For the season, the southpaw has a 5.75 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 56:18 K:BB through 67.1 innings over 13 starts. He's projected for a home start versus the Padres in his next outing.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Ryan was diagnosed with a UCL strain in his right forearm following an MRI on Sunday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Ryan was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier Sunday and ruled out for the remainder of the 2024 campaign with what was originally described as right forearm tightness. The next steps are still to be determined for Ryan, but given the nature of his injury, surgery could be on the table for the young right-hander. Ryan posted an impressive 1.33 ERA with 18 strikeouts over 20.1 innings in his first four big-league starts before sustaining the injury in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Pirates.

Gurriel exited Sunday's 12-5 win over the Phillies in the fourth inning due to left hamstring tightness, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Gurriel notched a single to open the bottom of the third inning, later coming around to score on a double from Eugenio Suarez. Gurriel subsequently exited the contest as Arizona came out to the field in the top of fourth, and manager Torey Lovullo explained after the game that Gurriel is day-to-day with a hamstring issue. The 30-year-old finished his day 2-for-2 with two runs scored.

Alcantara (elbow) said he threw his sixth bullpen session of the season Saturday while throwing at about 75 percent intensity, Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.

Alcantara won't be activated from the 60-day injured list this season, but the right-hander looks on pace to enter spring training with few restrictions, if any, as he draws closer to the finish line of his recovery from Oct. 6, 2023 Tommy John surgery. The right-hander will continue to gradually increase the intensity and volume of his bullpen sessions in the coming weeks, and he could be cleared to resume facing hitters in batting practice before the Marlins' season comes to an end Sept. 29.

Vientos was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners due to left ankle soreness, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The ankle issue has apparently been bothering Vientos since late July and cost him a start Aug. 5 against the Cardinals, but he had been part of the lineup in four of the Mets' subsequent five contests. Assuming Vientos isn't dealing with any sort of major setback with the ankle, he should have a good chance at returning to the lineup for Tuesday's series opener versus the Athletics following Monday's team off day.

Vientos (undisclosed) was scratched from Sunday's lineup against the Mariners, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Vientos was originally set to start at third base and bat eighth Sunday, but he's been scratched for an undisclosed reason. More information on his status will likely come in the near future, but in the meantime, Jose Iglesias will slide over to the hot corner while Ben Gamel enters the lineup in right field after some lineup shuffling.

Castro (shoulder) has slashed .245/.327/.327 with one home run in 13 games since being reinstated from Triple-A Lehigh Valley's 60-day injured list July 23.

Castro had been on the shelf since April 3 due to the left shoulder injury before he was cleared to rejoin Lehigh Valley after completing a three-game rehab assignment shortly after the All-Star break. The 25-year-old infielder retains a spot on the Phillies' 40-man roster, but he hasn't appeared in the majors all season, and a promotion to Philadelphia wouldn't seem to be imminent.