MLB Player News

Prieto will start at third base and bat ninth in Friday's contest versus the Cubs.

It's the fifth start over the last six games against right-handers for Prieto, who picked up his first hit of the season in Wednesday's win over the Phillies. The 27-year-old infielder is just 2-for-34 so far at the major-league level but has been a steady performer at Triple-A Memphis, slashing .307/.373/.517 with 12 homers and a 25:38 BB:K over 71 games there this season.

Crooks is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

The Cubs have a righty on the mound in Clay Holmes, but the left-handed-hitting Crooks will begin the contest on the bench. Ivan Herrera will do the catching for the Cardinals, and Bryan Torres will slot in at designated hitter.

Cijntje struck out a career-high 11 over 6.1 innings of one-run ball Thursday with Triple-A Memphis before departing with an apparent right hamstring injury, MLB.com reports.

Making his fifth start since being promoted to Memphis, Cijntje permitted only two hits and one walk on the night, needing just 72 pitches to navigate through 6.1 frames. He was removed from the game after issuing a walk in the seventh and was able to walk off the field without any assistance. Cijntje will be evaluated before it's determined whether he will be ready to make his next start. The switch pitcher has had an up-and-down first season in the Cardinals organization, posting a 5.33 ERA and 132:57 K:BB over 104.2 innings covering 22 starts between Memphis and Double-A Springfield.

Reds manager Terry Francona said that Pagan was unavailable to pitch in Thursday's win over the White Sox due to hand soreness, Chatterbox Sports reports.

With Pagan unavailable, Julian Garcia gave up a run but hung on to notch his second career save. Francona noted that Pagan "really wanted to pitch," but the manager exercised caution and held him out. Pagan will be examined Friday when the Reds return home, and more will be known after that regarding his availability for this weekend's series against the Marlins. If Pagan needs to miss additional time, Pierce Johnson, Tejay Antone and Garcia are among the candidates to see save chances for the Reds.

The Dodgers outrighted Barnes to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.

It's the second time in the last few weeks that Barnes has been booted off the Dodgers' 40-man roster. He wound up re-signing on a minor-league contract the first time and could do so again. Barnes has a 6.92 ERA and 6:7 K:BB over 13 innings covering five appearances between the Cubs and Dodgers this season.

Mayer (forearm) went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run Thursday in his first rehab game with Triple-A Sacramento.

Mayer showed no rust in his first game in nearly two months, hitting a laser over the center-field wall in his second plate appearance. He played five innings at second base before being lifted. Per Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area, the Giants don't think Mayer will need many rehab games before joining the big-league roster. Mayer has been sidelined since late June with a stress reaction in his left forearm.

The Giants selected Hill's contract from Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.

It's the first major-league promotion for Hill, who has had an excellent season at Sacramento, posting a .353/.420/.529 batting line with nine home runs, 22 stolen bases and a 37:31 BB:K over 88 contests. The 27-year-old will likely serve as a backup at all three outfield spots.

The Giants transferred Chapman (abdomen) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Turner Hill. Chapman underwent season-ending hernia surgery earlier this week but should be ready to go for the start of spring training.

Muncy went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Brewers.

Muncy pinch hit for Miguel Rojas in the sixth inning and delivered the Dodgers' biggest hit of the game. Over 11 contests in August, Muncy has gone 8-for-35 (.229) with two homers and 10 RBI. The third baseman is batting .250 with an .832 OPS, 23 homers, 59 RBI, 63 runs scored, 17 doubles, one triple and two stolen bases through 112 contests overall. He primarily works in a strong-side platoon role, though his playing time versus southpaws is rising -- he's started against three of the last five lefties the Dodgers have faced.

Diaz (2-2) allowed three runs on four hits and struck out two over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss and a blown save in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Brewers.

Diaz struggled and ultimately allowed two runs while on the mound. Alex Vesia was unable to get things under control, allowing one inherited runner to score, which saddled Diaz with the loss as well as a blown save. In August, Diaz has given up seven runs over 3.2 innings while blowing three of his four save chances. While he's still nominally in the closer role, fantasy managers don't have as much leeway as the Dodgers do to let him work through his issues. Diaz has an 11.57 ERA, 2.49 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB over 11.2 innings while converting just six of 10 save chances on the year.