MLB Player News

The Cardinals are eyeing June 1 as a target date for Nootbaar's (heels) activation from the 60-day injured list, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Nootbaar homered in his first rehab game with Single-A Palm Beach last week and has since moved up to Triple-A Memphis, going 2-for-6 with a 1:2 BB:K over three contests between the two stops. He's played left field twice and served as a designated hitter once, and Nootbaar is projected to be the Cardinals' everyday left fielder when he rejoins the active roster. The 28-year-old is working his way back from double heel surgery.

Nationals manager Blake Butera indicated Wednesday that he will try to continue having Alvarez follow Zack Littell in a piggyback role, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

After Littell tossed the first five innings Wednesday versus the Mets, Alvarez threw the final four frames, yielding two runs, striking out five and notching his first career save. There will likely be instances when Alvarez is needed to pitch other days, but if most of his appearances are piggybacking Littell, he'll have a chance to vulture some wins and saves. The southpaw holds a 3.18 ERA and 15:2 K:BB over 11.1 innings with the Nationals this season.

Beeter (forearm) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list prior to Thursday's game against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Out since late April with right forearm soreness, Beeter made three rehab appearances, yielding one run with a 4:0 K:BB in three innings. Beeter notched two saves for the Nationals before getting hurt and will be thrown back into the late innings as part of a mix-and-match bullpen for manager Blake Butera.

The Nationals optioned Poulin to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Poulin has been deployed in a variety of roles for the Nationals this season and is one of seven relievers on the roster to notch a save. However, while he's managed a 2.91 ERA, a 16:14 K:BB over 21.2 innings is less appetizing. Clayton Beeter (forearm) is expected to come off the injured list Thursday in a corresponding move.

Reynolds went 1-for-5 with a double and two RBI on Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Reynolds made his lone hit of the day count, as he delivered a two-run double in the eighth inning. He's had a pair of timely hits to begin Pittsburgh's series against the Cardinals, giving him four RBI in his last two games. Reynolds has hit for modest power this season, but he has taken advantage of an upgraded lineup around him to log 30 RBI in 49 contests.

Gonzales went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored Wednesdsay against the Cardinals.

Gonzales hit atop the Pirates' order for the second consecutive game, and for the first time against a righty. He hit a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning and followed that up with an RBI single two frames later. Gonzales has hit for an empty .319 batting average so far this season, though he does have four RBI, six runs scored and one stolen base across his last 10 starts.

Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with two walks and a run scored Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Rodriguez struck out in his first plate appearance but reached base in his next four at-bats. He made his third start since being recalled to the majors, while Henry Davis has made five starts in that same span. Rodriguez has gone 4-for-16 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI in his big-league sample, and he could continue to push for playing time given the lack of production from Davis.

Garcia went 2-for-5 with an RBI on Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Garcia has started both games since being recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, and he looks to have the inside track to a starting job in right field while Ryan O'Hearn (quadricep) is sidelined. Garcia recorded the first RBI of his career with a single in the fourth inning of Wednesday's game to give Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead. He has gone 3-for-9 with three strikeouts in his two starts this season.

Rumfield went 2-for-4 with an RBI on Wednesday against the Rangers.

Rumfield did his damage early, driving in a run with a single in the opening frame. That brought his RBI total to 25 on the season, and he's hit .283 with three homers, eight RBI and 10 runs scored across 16 games in May. Rumfield is the Rockies' primary first baseman and should continue to get regular run as one of the team's better hitters.

Freeman went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored Wednesday against the Rangers.

Freeman made his first start since returning from paternity leave and hit third in the order. All of his production came in the fifth inning, when he singled in a run while coming around to score later in the frame. Freeman had been in a slump prior to Wednesday's game, collecting only one hit across his last 15 at-bats. He should continue to mix into the lineup as Colorado's part-time right fielder.