MLB Player News

Giolito (elbow) has been throwing at San Diego's team complex in Arizona and may be close to facing hitters, MLB.com reports.

Giolito has been sidelined for the past month due to right elbow inflammation. The veteran hurler resumed throwing in late June and has progressed enough to potentially toss a live session soon. Giolito will likely need a minor-league rehab assignment before he's ready to return to the Padres, so it seems unlikely that he'll be back with the big club before the start of August.

Davis is not in the Pirates' starting lineup for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Davis struck out in all three of his plate appearances in Wednesday's matinee -- a 5-3 extra-inning win for Pittsburgh -- and will be idle for the nightcap. Rafael Flores will start behind home plate and bat eighth while forming a battery with Bubba Chandler.

Ramirez is not in the Cubs' starting lineup against the Tigers on Wednesday.

Ramirez has gone 6-for-13 with three doubles and four RBI in his four games since the All-Star break. He'll be on the bench for the beginning of Wednesday's game while Michael Conforto serves as the Cubs' designated hitter and bats seventh.

Marsee is not in the Marlins' starting lineup against the Astros on Wednesday, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

Marsee has gone 1-for-13 with five strikeouts across four games since the All-Star break. He'll exit Wednesday's lineup while Esteury Ruiz starts in center field and bats ninth against Astros right-hander Peter Lambert.

Ohtani (knee) threw a bullpen session Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani threw 31 pitches in the session and used his entire repertoire. It's the first time he's thrown off the mound since having his left knee drained and treated with a cortisone shot over the All-Star break. The next step for Ohtani isn't clear, but it's expected to be a few weeks before he's ready to make a start on the mound. Ohtani will continue serving as the Dodgers' designated hitter.

Sheets is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game in Atlanta.

The left-handed-hitting Sheets will hit the bench while Atlanta sends southpaw Martin Perez to the bump. Jase Bowen will spell Sheets in left field and will bat ninth.

Campusano will start at catcher and bat sixth in Wednesday's game versus Atlanta.

It's the second straight start and fourth start in six contests coming out of the All-Star break for Campusano, who might be emerging as the preferred option at catcher for the Padres. Campusano has put up an .865 OPS in 12 games this month since coming off the injured list.

Fermin is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Atlanta.

Fermin started the first game of the series at catcher, but it's been Luis Campusano behind the dish the last two days. With just two starts to Campusano's four since returning from the injured list, Fermin looks to have been passed on the Padres' catching depth chart.

Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres.

Smith will retreat to the bench for the third game in a row, with his latter two absences coming while the Padres have sent right-handed starting pitchers to the hill. The 31-year-old has held down a strong-side platoon role for much of the season, but he's been squeezed for playing time in the wake of Mike Yastrzemski's return from the injured list. The lesser role comes while Smith has provided a poor .468 OPS over 13 games since the start of July, though he could still see at least semi-regular starts until Ronald Acuna (hamstring) completes his rehab assignment.

The Cardinals scratched Pages from the lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Angels due to a stomach virus, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Jimmy Crooks will draw the start at catcher and bat ninth in place of Pages, who can be considered day-to-day. Since tying a season high with three hits in a 9-6 win over the Twins on June 13, Pages has gone just 3-for-26 (.115 average) with a 39.3 percent strikeout rate.