MLB Player News

The Pirates optioned Garcia to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Garcia had not started a game in more than a week and has gone just 8-for-48 at the plate during his time with the Pirates. He will try to get back on track with more regular playing time at Indianapolis.

Pagan will be available out of the Reds' bullpen Friday versus the Marlins after his hand checked out fine, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Pagan was unavailable to take a save chance Thursday against the White Sox due to hand soreness. He still feels it a bit while throwing his splitter, so it's possible he'll reduce the usage of that offering, but Pagan will be available for a save opportunity Friday, should one arise.

The Giants optioned Furman to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Furman was called up at the beginning of the month and is still looking for his first major-league hit, having gone 0-for-6 at the plate while playing sporadically. The 25-year-old will receive more regular reps back in Sacramento.

The Giants optioned McCray to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

McCray hadn't been playing much for the Giants lately and now finds himself back in the minors. Turner Hill and Jonah Cox have been added to the roster as part of the outfield mix for the Giants.

The Giants recalled Cox from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Cox has gone 7-for-26 with one home run, four stolen bases and a 0:15 BB:K in his first 29 plate appearances in the majors. The speedy outfielder could be a useful sources of stolen bases in fantasy if he receives regular playing time, but there's no guarantee that will happen.

Rodriguez is not in the lineup for Friday's contest against the Marlins.

The lefty-swinging Rodriguez had started seven straight games versus righties, but he will begin Friday's festivities on the bench as the Marlins send right-hander Sandy Alcantara to the hill. Noelvi Marte will cover right field for the Reds in the series opener.

Santillan (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

Santillan is finally ready to pitch in games again after being sidelined since late June with a severe left oblique strain. Because he's missed so much time, he likely will require a handful of rehab outings before being reinstated to the Reds' active roster. Santillan will be slated for a setup role with the Reds as long as Emilio Pagan's hand issue doesn't linger.

Cruz (hand) will remain on his rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona at least through the weekend, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The Pirates hadn't previously ruled out a return from the 60-day injured list for Cruz this weekend against the Red Sox, but they've opted to give him more time. Cruz has gone 2-for-13 with a 3:6 BB:K through his first four rehab games between Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis. He has not yet started back-to-back games in center field, and the Pirates likely want him to check that box before reinstating him. Cruz has been shelved since mid-June with a fractured hand.

The Cubs will activate Cabrera (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list and start him Sunday against the Cardinals, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Cabrera -- who has been out since late June with a strained hamstring -- looked good in three rehab outings, permitting only one unearned run with a 15:1 K:BB over nine innings. He threw 64 pitches in his last rehab start, so Cabrera will be somewhat limited from a workload perspective against the Cardinals. With Cabrera rejoining the rotation Sunday, Shota Imanaga will be pushed back to Monday versus the White Sox. Additionally, if the Cubs are averse to a six-man rotation, David Peterson could shift to the bullpen to accommodate Cabrera.

Brown (neck) threw a bullpen session at Wrigley Field on Friday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Brown recently advanced to throwing off a mound at the Cubs' spring training facility in Arizona, but this appears to be his first bullpen session in front of the major-league coaching staff since suffering a stress reaction in his neck in late June. The right-hander could be ready for a rehab assignment soon if he continues to progress. Between the Cubs' rotation additions at the deadline and Brown lacking time to get stretched back out, when he does return, it could be in a relief role.