MLB Player News

Wade (hamstring) is playing first base and batting second Friday against the Dodgers, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Wade will make his return from a Grade 2 hamstring strain he sustained in late May. The first baseman played three rehab games and went 1-for-7 with three runs scored, four walks and two strikeouts.

Manager Pat Murphy said Friday the rehab assignment for Mitchell (finger) will end Saturday and the team hasn't had discussions about optioning him, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The Brewers are currently dealing with a logjam in the outfield, with Christian Yelich, Blake Perkins, Sal Frelick and Jackson Chourio all seeing significant action during Mitchell's absence due to a fractured finger. Considering the injury and Milwaukee's outfield depth, it's possible that Mitchell will remain with Triple-A Nashville after being reinstated. However, Murphy's comments don't seem to support that possibility. Mitchell was removed from Wednesday's rehab outing with an unrelated hamstring injury but was able to suit up and play Thursday. Regardless of what level he ends up playing, Mitchell should be activated from the 60-day IL this weekend.

Candelario (hamstring) is on track to play Sunday against the Cardinals, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Candelario hasn't played since Tuesday as he tends to hamstring tendinitis. However, he's set to make his return for the series finale Sunday and will avoid a stint on the IL. In his stead, Noelvi Marte should continue to start at third base while Spencer Steer handles first base work, but it's not yet clear how the workload at the infield corners will be divided between the trio once Candelario is healthy.

Pederson isn't in Arizona's lineup for Friday's game against the Athletics.

Pederson will step out of the lineup Friday as the A's prepare to send southpaw JP Sears to the mound. Blaze Alexander will fill in as the Diamondbacks' designated hitter and bat second.

Fraley (calf) is expected to be back in the lineup Saturday at St. Louis, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Fraley has missed two consecutive contests with a right calf contusion, but he's on track to return Saturday. Santiago Espinal has drawn starts at DH in Fraley's place.

McCarthy isn't in the Diamondbacks' lineup for Friday's game against the Athletics.

Left-hander JP Sears will toe the slab Friday for the A's, meaning the lefty-hitting McCarthy will head to the bench to begin the game. Randal Grichuk will start in right field instead and bat fifth.

Bauers is not in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the Cubs.

Despite Chicago sending right-hander Jameson Taillon to the mound Friday, the lefty-hitting Bauers will begin the game in the dugout. For the month of June, Bauers is slashing .263/.378/.447 with two home runs and eight RBI over 38 at-bats. Rhys Hoskins will start at first base Friday while Christian Yelich serves as the designated hitter.

Matzek (elbow) has been playing catch from 90 feet, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Matzek has been shelved since May 7 due to inflammation in his left elbow. He's yet to throw off a mound and isn't anywhere close to returning at this point.

Ortiz (neck) is not in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the Cubs.

Ortiz has been dealing with a neck injury since last week's series against the Angels, and he was removed in the sixth inning of Wednesday's game against the Rangers after going 0-for-2. Despite having a day off Thursday, Ortiz will be in the dugout for at least the series opener against Chicago. Andruw Monasterio will start at third base Friday and bat ninth against Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon.

The Cubs selected Lopez's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

After being released by the Mets in unceremonious fashion, Lopez signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs on June 12. He allowed three runs in one inning during a game in the Arizona Complex League, but he bounced back by throwing 2.2 scoreless frames at Triple-A Iowa. Now that he's back in the majors, the 31-year-old right-hander will presumably work in middle relief. Vinny Nittoli was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.