MLB Player News

Kepler isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Kepler will get a breather Friday after going 4-for-13 with a homer, six RBI and two runs scored during Arizona's four-game set against the Padres. His absence will allow Lourdes Gurriel to start in left field and open a spot in the lineup for Tim Tawa at first base.

Kurtz is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the White Sox.

It's unclear if Kurtz's absence is related to the illness he dealt with earlier this week that caused him to be removed from Wednesday's contest. Kurtz started Thursday but went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts. With Kurtz idle, Joey Meneses is batting sixth and making the start at first base against right-hander Sean Burke.

Hurt will start a bullpen game for the Dodgers on Friday versus the Diamondbacks, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports.

Hurt has plenty of past starting experience, but he's been a reliever almost exclusively since 2024 and hasn't recorded more than four outs in an appearance for the Dodgers in 2026. With no long relievers on their roster, the Dodgers will employ a true bullpen game after Shohei Ohtani (knee) was scratched from what was scheduled to be his final start before the All-Star break.

The Astros designated Shewmake for assignment Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

With Jeremy Pena (calf) returning from the injured list Friday, Shewmake became a roster casualty. The 28-year-old slashed .256/.272/.423 with three home runs, nine RBI, 10 runs scored across 83 plate appearances with Houston this season.

The Astros activated Pena (calf) from the 10-day injured list Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Houston DFA'd Braden Shewmake in a corresponding move. Pena hasn't played since June 28 due to a mild left calf strain, but he's ready to return to the lineup after missing just 11 days of action. The shortstop is slashing .295/.356/.443 with six homers, 21 RBI, 34 runs scored, eight stolen bases and a 15:35 BB:K across 202 plate appearances this season.

Rodriguez (concussion) is not expected to be activated from the 7-day injured list for this weekend's series against the Rays, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

Rodriguez is eligible to come off the injured list Friday, but he's already not in the lineup for the series opener against the Rays, and it sounds like he's going to take the entire weekend set along with the All-Star break to rest up before the second half of the season. Luke Raley is starting in center field and batting sixth for Seattle against right-hander Nick Martinez on Friday.

Manager A.J. Hinch said Friday that Eduardo Valencia will start at catcher Saturday against the Phillies, and it's uncertain if Dingler (thumb) will play in Sunday's series finale, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Dingler is not in the lineup for Friday's series opener against Philadelphia, as Jake Rogers is doing the catching and batting ninth. Valencia will catch Saturday, suggesting Dingler has already been ruled out for that game. Hinch said Dingler is progressing with his bruised thumb, but he remains day-to-day. It's possible Dingler will remain sidelined through the All-Star break.

The Phillies released Carlson on Friday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Carlson made the Cubs' Opening Day roster but has spent nearly all of the season at the Triple-A level, slashing just .180/.294/.317 between Iowa and Lehigh Valley. The 27-year-old will look for a new gig elsewhere and will likely have to accept a minor-league contract.

Holmes (fibula) threw a live batting practice session Friday at Citi Field, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

It's the first time Holmes has faced hitters since he suffered a fractured right fibula back in mid-May. The right-hander could begin a rehab assignment shortly after the All-Star break. He posted a 2.39 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 45:18 K:BB through 52.2 innings before getting hurt.

Vest has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right elbow, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Vest will not require surgery, but he remains without a clear timetable for return after he was initially placed on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation July 1. It's been an ugly 2026 season for the right-hander, as he's posted a 6.08 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 27:10 K:BB across 26.2 innings. His 3.41 FIP would suggest he's been extremely unlucky.