MLB Player News

Bart isn't in the Pirates' lineup for Thursday's game against Milwaukee.

After launching a grand slam Tuesday, Bart was held hitless in three at-bats during Wednesday's contest, and he'll now receive a breather during Thursday's rubber match. Yasmani Grandal will fill in behind the dish and bat ninth.

Cruz (hamstring) will start at shortstop and bat third Thursday against the Brewers.

Cruz missed two games after making an early exit from Monday's contest due to hamstring soreness, but the issue appears to have subsided Thursday. Since the beginning of July, the 25-year-old has gone 8-for-24 with two homers and five RBI over seven games.

Wade is out of the lineup Thursday against the Blue Jays, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

After going 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored during Wednesday's loss, Wade will give way Thursday to Wilmer Flores, who will start at first base and bat seventh.

Iglesias is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals due to an illness, Steve Gelbs of SportsNet New York reports.

Though he had been expected to start Thursday against southpaw MacKenzie Gore, the right-handed-hitting Iglesias apparently felt ill during Wednesday's 6-2 win and required an IV after cramping up following the game. Iglesias is apparently still feeling under the weather Thursday, so the Mets will let him rest in the series finale while Jeff McNeil steps in at second base.

Soler (illness) will serve as San Francisco's designated hitter and bat leadoff Thursday against the Blue Jays, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

An illness caused Soler to sit down for the Giants' last two games, but he seems to be feeling well enough to return to action Thursday. The 32-year-old has been in a bit of a slump recently, going 4-for-28 (.160) with one RBI and nine strikeouts since the beginning of July.

Chapman went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 10-6 loss to the Blue Jays.

Chapman hit one of two homers for the Giants in the ninth inning, but it was too late to generate a comeback. The third baseman has gone deep five times and added 13 RBI over his last 15 contests, a span in which he's batting .298 (17-for-57). For the year, he's up to 13 long balls, 43 RBI, 60 runs scored, 24 doubles, eight stolen bases and a .231/.322/.423 slash line through 90 games.

Williams (back) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Wisconsin on Saturday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

After he tossed a live batting practice session Tuesday in Milwaukee without incident, Williams will move on to the final stage in his prolonged recovery from a pair of stress fractures in his back, an injury he suffered in spring training. As a late-inning reliever, Williams won't require an extensive buildup, but he's still likely to remain on his minor-league rehab assignment once the Brewers open their post-All-Star-break schedule July 20. A return from the 60-day injured list before the end of July can't be discounted, however, especially if Williams looks healthy and pitches effectively during his time in the minors. Once activated, Williams should settle back in as Milwaukee's closer after he racked up 51 saves and posted a 1.73 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 126 appearances between the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Perkins will start in center field and bat ninth in Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Though he'll stick in the lineup for a fifth straight start after going 4-for-15 with a home run, three walks and a stolen base across the prior four contests, Perkins still looks to be the Brewers' fourth outfielder. Each of Perkins' prior four starts came against left-handers, and he'll remain in the lineup Thursday against Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes while Jackson Chourio exits the starting nine in what appears to be a routine off day. Some combination of Chourio, Garrett Mitchell, Sal Frelick and Christian Yelich still appears to be the Brewers' preferred starting outfield trio and designated hitter versus right-handed pitching.

Chourio is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Blake Perkins will pick up a start in the outfield while Chourio heads to the bench after he had been included in the lineup for each of the previous six games. The 20-year-old rookie has been one of the hotter hitters in the Milwaukee lineup of late, slashing .340/.397/.547 with seven extra-base hits (two home runs, five doubles) and two stolen bases over his last 15 games.

Hoskins is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Hoskins will get a breather for Thursday's matinee contest after he had started each of the last seven games while going 4-for-25 with three home runs and six RBI. Jake Bauers will pick up the start at first base in Hoskins' stead.