MLB Player News

Bleday is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

The left-handed-hitting Bleday was included in the lineup against a lefty starter (Robert Gasser) in the series opener, but he'll head to the bench Wednesday while Milwaukee sends another southpaw (Shane Drohan) to the bump. Ivan Johnson will replace Bleday in left field in what will be his first MLB start.

Holmes could remain in Atlanta's bullpen moving forward, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Holmes made 15 starts for Atlanta before tossing four scoreless relief innings during his last appearance against the Giants on Saturday. While Holmes could make another start Thursday versus the Cardinals if Hurston Waldrep is needed in relief Wednesday, the club's preference is to keep Holmes in the bullpen. The right-hander has collected a 3.96 ERA and 69:37 K:BB over 77.1 frames this season.

Waldrep could start Thursday's game against the Cardinals if he isn't needed out of the bullpen Wednesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Reynaldo Lopez is starting Wednesday's game, and if he's able to go at least 4-to-5 innings, Atlanta will likely go with Waldrep as its starter for Thursday's series finale. If the right-hander has to pitch in relief Wednesday, however, Grant Holmes could draw Thursday's start. Waldrep had surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow back in February, but he threw 55 pitches over two scoreless relief innings during his season debut for Atlanta last week. His highest pitch count over five minor-league starts was 71, so the righty isn't fully stretched out yet.

The Athletics announced Wednesday that Lasko underwent spinal decompression and stabilization surgery resulting from a C6-C7 vertebra fracture, which he sustained in a collision in the outfield with a teammate during a game Tuesday with Double-A Midland, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Lasko needed to be stretchered off the field after the frightening collision, which delayed the game for several minutes. The 24-year-old outfielder is in stable condition following surgery but is without a timeline to return to game action. Lasko has produced a .210/.275/.362 slash line with six home runs and five stolen bases in 74 games with Midland this season.

The Astros rescinded Teng's option and placed him on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right knee sprain, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Teng had been sent down to Triple-A Sugar Land following Saturday's start versus the Tigers, but it's been determined he suffered an injury before that transaction and will instead hit the injured list. It's unclear how long the right-hander might be sidelined.

McLain will start in center field and bat eighth in Wednesday's game versus the Brewers.

McLain played a frame in center field Tuesday after entering that contest as a pinch hitter, and now he's making his first career start at the position. If he proves capable of handling center field defensively, McLain could draw regular starts there against lefties while Blake Dunn (elbow) and Dane Myers (shoulder) are shelved.

Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said Wednesday that Keller (forearm) is expected to return before the All-Star break, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Keller threw a live batting practice session Tuesday and could make a rehab appearance Friday. The right-handed reliever has been sidelined since mid-June with forearm tendinitis, and he might require just the one rehab outing before being reinstated from the 15-day injured list.

Carrigg is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

Carrigg will hit the bench after he started the Rockies' last three games while going 4-for-11 with a double, a stolen base and two runs. The Rockies will go with a starting outfield of Troy Johnston, Jake McCarthy and Tyler Freeman on Wednesday.

Pena (calf) did some light running at Daikin Park on Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pena was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday due to a left calf strain that had been lingering. The Astros are optimistic that the shortstop can return when his 10 days are up, and his ability to do some light running already bodes well for potentially reaching that goal. Raynel Delgado is filling in at shortstop for the Astros on Wednesday versus the Twins after Nick Allen manned the position the previous two days.

Julien is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

Julien has been a fixture in the lineup against right-handed pitching lately, but he'll cede second base to Willi Castro on Wednesday while Miami sends right-hander Max Meyer to the bump. Julien has generated a modest .646 OPS on the season, but he picked up his production in June, finishing the month with a .288./422/.365 slash line over 22 games.