MLB Player News

Manager Blake Butera said Mikolas is scheduled to pitch behind opener PJ Poulin against the Rays on Friday, Andrew Golden of TheBanner.com reports.

Mikolas was initially penciled in to pitch Saturday, but he'll be moved up to Friday after Cade Cavalli (illness) was scratched. Mikolas has fared much better when working in bulk relief this season, as he has a 3.56 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB across 43 innings out of the bullpen.

Poulin will start Friday's game against the Rays.

The left-hander has served as an opener eight times this season and will pick up another start Friday after scheduled starter Cade Cavalli (illness) was scratched. Poulin hasn't covered more than two frames in any of his 29 outings this year, so he'll likely give way to the Washington bullpen after a frame or two.

Bauers is not in the lineup for Friday's game in Atlanta.

The left-handed-hitting Bauers doesn't always sit versus lefty hurlers, but he will begin this one on the bench as Atlanta goes with southpaw Martin Perez. Blake Perkins will be in right field and Andrew Vaughn will cover first base in the series opener for the Brewers.

Mead is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest against the Rays.

Mead will begin Friday's series opener on the bench after starting the last three and six of the past seven tilts. Jorbit Vivas is covering third base and batting eighth for the Nationals.

Harris (back) is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Brewers, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Harris is on the bench again after initially exiting Tuesday's contest due to lower-back tightness, with Thursday's rainout not providing him with sufficient time to recover. Mauricio Dubon is shifting to center field for Atlanta while Jorge Mateo starts at shortstop.

Crews is not in the lineup for Friday's game in Tampa Bay.

Crews is receiving a routine day of rest after starting the previous seven contests. The Nationals will roll out Daylen Lile, Jacob Young and James Wood in the outfield.

Edwards is not in the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Giants.

It's just the second day off this season for Edwards, who is slashing only .192/.286/.192 so far in June. Javier Sanoja is getting a start at second base for the Marlins while Edwards clears his head.

The Diamondbacks recalled Diaz from Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Diaz is taking the roster spot vacated by the injured Ryne Nelson (elbow). The 25-year-old Diaz has made a full-time move to the bullpen at Reno this season, posting a 4.50 ERA and 43:21 K:BB over 32 innings.

The Diamondbacks placed Nelson on the 15-day injured list Friday with a strained right elbow.

John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM says it's a partially torn flexor tendon for Nelson, who held the Angels to two runs over seven innings in his last start Monday. There's been no timetable provided by the Diamondbacks yet, but the nature of the injury points to the likelihood of a lengthy absence for Nelson. Brandon Pfaadt is a candidate to replace Nelson in the Arizona rotation.

Cavalli was scratched from his scheduled start against the Rays on Friday due to an illness.

Cavalli was penciled in to start Friday's series opener but instead won't be available due to food poisoning, per Andrew Golden of TheBanner.com. The Nationals are hopeful Cavalli will be ready to start Saturday. PJ Poulin will start in Cavalli's place with Miles Mikolas set to follow in the bulk role.