MLB Player News

Moreno is starting behind the plate and batting second Thursday versus Atlanta after being scratched with lower-back tightness Wednesday.

Moreno is set to make his eighth start of the season as the second batter in the order. The catcher was said to be available off the bench Wednesday despite the back issue, but he did not end up seeing any action.

The Diamondbacks optioned Cecconi to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

Cecconi allowed three earned runs in four innings during his start Wednesday, raising his ERA to 6.14 to go along with his 1.32 WHIP. The return of Miguel Castro (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list will force Cecconi back to Triple-A, where he's posted a respectable 3.38 ERA in 26.2 innings over five starts. Should the Diamondbacks run into any further trouble with their rotation depth, the 25-year-old may be brought back to Arizona, though a few solid outings in Triple-A would certainly improve his chances.

The Diamondbacks reinstated Castro (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Castro pitched two innings in his final rehab appearance Saturday and gave up no runs on one hit with a walk and a strikeout. The right-hander is now set to make his return after he landed on the injured list due to right shoulder inflammation in late April. In a corresponding move, Slade Cecconi was optioned to Triple-A Reno.

MRI results on Garrett's right elbow revealed no ligament damage Thursday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Garrett will remain shut down from throwing for roughly one week while his inflammation subsides before beginning a throwing program shortly after the All-Star break. His return will depend on how he feels as he moves through his rehab process, but manager Carlos Mendoza said he expects the 31-year-old righty to be sidelined roughly 2-to-4 weeks.

Myers isn't in the Marlins' lineup for Thursday's game against the Astros.

Myers will get a breather Thursday after going 6-for-14 with a homer and three RBI over his last five games. While he rests, Bryan De La Cruz, Nick Gordon and Jesus Sanchez will start across Miami's outfield.

Grandal went 1-for-4 with an RBI double during Thursday's 1-0 win over the Brewers.

Grandal broke the stalemate in the seventh inning, tagging Aaron Civale for a one-out double to score Jack Suwinski from first base. Grandal started Thursday's contest behind the dish after yielding to Joey Bart in each of the Pirates' previous three games. In 132 plate appearances, Grandal is slashing .184/.214/.304 with 22 strikeouts and only five walks.

Chapman picked up the save Thursday against Milwaukee, striking out one batter during a perfect ninth inning.

Chapman inherited a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning and required only nine pitches to retire Christian Yelich, Willy Adames and Sal Frelick in order. Chapman has consistently seen ninth-inning work since David Bednar (oblique) got injured June 22, but Chapman's allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits and six walks across 7.2 innings with three saves in four opportunities during that stretch.

Civale (2-7) took the loss Thursday against Pittsburgh, allowing one run on six hits and two walks across 6.1 innings. He struck out six.

Civale blanked the Pirates until the seventh inning when he allowed a single, an RBI double and a walk before being pulled with one out. His one run allowed proved to be the difference, as the Brewers only managed two hits on the day, both of which came in the eighth inning. Though it goes down as a loss, Thursday's outing marked Civale's first time pitching into the seventh inning and was his first quality start since April 16. In two starts with the Brewers, Civale has surrendered five runs over 11.1 innings and owns a 14:5 K:BB.

Skenes (6-0) picked up the win Thursday against Milwaukee, allowing no hits, a walk and a hit-by-pitch with 11 strikeouts over seven scoreless innings.

Skenes' excellent rookie season got even better Tuesday, as he tied his career high in strikeouts and logged his second hitless start. He finished the outing by retiring 16 consecutive batters and allowed a baserunner in only the second inning. The 22-year-old is undefeated through 11 appearances and has generated a quality start in nine of his last 10 outings. Skenes will enter the All-Star break with a 1.91 ERA and 89 strikeouts across 66.1 innings.

The Nationals will recall Rutledge from Triple-A Rochester to start Friday's game against the Brewers, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Rutledge has appeared in just one game for the Nationals this season, allowing a run to score in one inning May 14 against the White Sox. He hasn't done a much better job preventing runs in the minor leagues, posting a 6.66 ERA and 1.66 WHIP through 71.2 frames. He'll be facing one of the National League's more dynamic offenses Friday, as the Brewers rank fourth in the NL in both OPS (.732) and runs scored (450).