MLB Player News

Padres general manager A.J. Preller suggested Tuesday that Tatis (thigh) remains without a clear timeline for a return from the 10-day injured list, though the 25-year-old is expected to play again this season, MLB.com reports. "We expect him to be back. Exactly when? That's something we've still got to get more information from our doctors," Preller said. "But every report I've gotten has been really positive."

Tatis was placed on the 10-day IL on June 24 with a right femoral stress reaction. He underwent an MRI over the All-Star break and was cleared for light baseball activities after imaging revealed sufficient healing, but updates on Tatis' status have been scarce since then. The star outfielder still looks to be at least a couple weeks away from being ready to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment. Expect the Padres to continue to get by with a platoon of David Peralta and Bryce Johnson in right field in the meantime.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Tuesday that Soler will serve as the team's primary leadoff hitter, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Soler took off after the Giants moved him to the leadoff spot, posting a .911 OPS over his last 24 games before being dealt to Atlanta on Monday. The 32-year-old also occasionally hit leadoff for Atlanta during the team's run to a 2021 World Series title. With Soler at the top of the batting order, Jarred Kelenic will slide down to the back half of the lineup.

Musgrove (elbow) completed a two-inning simulated game Tuesday at the Padres' spring training facility in Arizona, MLB.com reports.

Facing a lineup of Mariners minor-league hitters, Musgrove tossed approximately 40 pitches in the outing. The Padres will wait and see how Musgrove's elbow responds to the sim game before determining his next step, but the right-hander may get the green light to begin a minor-league rehab assignment as soon as Sunday. Musgrove is on the injured list for the second time this season after being diagnosed with a bone spur and bone bruise in his right elbow in early June. He'll likely need at least two rehab starts to get fully stretched out, and he could be ready return from the 60-day injured list around mid-August in a best-case scenario.

Friedl went 2-for-3 with a walk, two RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Cubs.

Friedl, batting sixth in the order, put the Reds on top early with a two-out, two-run single in the first inning. He's knocked in five runs over the last two games. This marked the third time in four starts since returning from his latest injury that Friedl batted in the middle of the order. He's typically hit out of the leadoff spot for the Reds, but manager David Bell is going with Jonathan India there for now.

Espinal started at designated hitter and went 4-for-4 with two doubles, a home run and two RBI in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Cubs.

Espinal was in the starting lineup for a third consecutive game; with the Reds awaiting the arrival of Ty France, who was acquired Monday, Espinal slotted in at DH for the night. Once France arrives, it is expected that he and Jeimer Candelario will most frequently handle first base/DH.

Merrill went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's win over the Dodgers.

Merrill's only hit of the night came at quite an opportune time. Blake Treinen had already given up a homer to Manny Machado to lead off the inning and he then left a hanging cutter which Merrill took full advantage of to tie the game up in the ninth. The long ball was Merrill's first since June 29 and he now has 13 hits, seven RBI and eight runs over his last nine games. Merrill is tied for the National League lead among rookies with 13 homers and leads all rookies with 105 hits. He's slashing .284/.315/.449 with 53 RBI, 48 runs, 11 steals and a 17:74 BB:K in 393 plate appearances.

Perdomo went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's 17-0 win over the Nationals.

Perdomo joined the Diamondbacks' 22-hit attack with his second straight multi-hit game. He drove in Arizona's third run with a single then doubled home the team's 13th tally. Following an eight-game stretch during which Perdomo batted .115 (3-for-26) without an RBI, the shortstop and ninth-place hitter has driven in five runs over the last four contests.

Machado went 2-for-4 with two solo homers in Tuesday's win over the Dodgers.

Machado got the Padres on the board in the second inning with a 410-foot blast to center off Tyler Glasnow. He then jumpstarted a ninth-inning comeback by leading off the frame with his second homer of the night. Machado now has nine homers and 20 RBI over his last 26 games after totaling just seven homers and 38 RBI in his first 75 games of the year. The 31-year-old is slashing .265/.317/.432 with 33 extra-base hits, 51 runs, five steals and a 29:87 BB:K in 420 plate appearances this season.

Marte went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 17-0 win over Washington.

Like the summer months in Arizona, Marte's bat is sizzling with multiple hits in 10 of his last 14 starts. He's gone 24-for-53 (.453) with seven home runs during that run. The hot bat stretches further back to the beginning of June; Marte is slashing .359/.439/.653 with 14 homers and 43 RBI over 47 games since June 2.

Ray (1-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Athletics, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings.

Ray was unable to replicate his excellent season debut in what looked like an easier matchup on paper. All four runs he gave up came from homers; Daz Cameron and Lawrence Butler hit solo shots before Brent Rooker ended Ray's night with a two-run blast in the fifth. Ray has had some problems in years past with allowing walks and home runs, though it's difficult to gauge where he is exactly with his command and control through just two starts. One encouraging stat is that his fastball velocity is averaging 94.7 mph, which is higher than his career average. The 32-year-old now owns a 4.82 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 12:5 K:BB in 9.1 innings and will look to bounce back against the Nationals to begin next week.