MLB Player News

Cheng is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals.

Cheng started at shortstop in each of the last five games following his call-up from Triple-A Worcester last Friday, going 2-for-15 with a double, a walk and a run. He'll cede shortstop to Andruw Monasterio while southpaw Andrew Alvarez works as a primary pitcher for Washington, but the left-handed-hitting Cheng could continue to handle a strong-side platoon role at the position while all of Trevor Story (sports hernia), Marcelo Mayer (forearm) and Isiah Kiner-Falefa (forearm) are on the shelf.

Royals senior vice president Scott Sharp said Wednesday on Sports Radio 810 WHB that Bubic (elbow/shoulder) has been scratched from his next scheduled rehab start and will return to Kansas City for further evaluation.

Bubic initially went on the 15-day injured list in mid-May due to left elbow soreness and encountered a setback in mid-June when he experienced left shoulder discomfort. He had an MRI after that first setback which cleared him of structural damage in his elbow and shoulder. It's unclear at this point whether this setback is related to the southpaw's elbow or shoulder (or both), but more information on Bubic should be available later this week. The southpaw went two scoreless frames in his last rehab start this past weekend.

Narvaez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals.

Narvaez will receive the afternoon off after he started behind the plate both of the previous two nights. Connor Wong will get the nod at catcher Wednesday, but Narvaez looks to be the Red Sox's new top option at the position after the struggling Mickey Gasper was recently demoted to Triple-A Worcester.

Beavers is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Following his reinstatement from the injured list Sunday, Beavers started in each of the Orioles' ensuing three games, going 1-for-10 with a double, a walk, a run and an RBI. Though the left-handed-hitting outfielder will head to the bench while southpaw Noah Schultz takes the hill for the White Sox, Beavers should have a decent amount of leash in a strong-side platoon role before the Orioles would limit his opportunities against right-handed pitching.

Cowser is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

After three consecutive starts, the left-handed-hitting Cowser will retreat to the bench as the Orioles look to get an extra right-handed bat in the lineup to counter White Sox southpaw Noah Schultz. Leody Taveras will replace Cowser in center field and will bat seventh.

Basallo is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The Orioles have been giving the left-handed-hitting Basallo more exposure to same-handed pitching in recent weeks, but he'll hit the bench Wednesday while southpaw Noah Schultz starts for the White Sox. With Basallo taking a seat, Adley Rutschman will handle catching duties and Pete Alonso will serve as the Orioles' designated hitter.

Mejia has touched 99 mph with his fastball this season, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports, and over four scoreless innings since a promotion to Triple-A Rochester he's given up just one hit and two walks while striking out four batters.

The minor-league infielder converted to the mound last season, and Mejia's raw stuff has taken a significant step forward in 2026. Finding the plate consistently remains an issue, as he's issued 14 walks in 27 innings between Double-A Harrisburg and Rochester this season, but the 31-year-old right-hander has also fanned 34 batters. Given the Nationals' issues finding viable high-leverage relievers this season, Mejia is positioning himself to get a big-league audition some time in the second half.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

The Nationals will give Ruiz a rest for the matinee contest after he started behind the plate in each of the last three games. Drew Millas will receive the nod at catcher and form a battery with starting pitcher Andrew Alvarez.

Weaver worked a perfect eighth inning in Tuesday's win over the Blue Jays to record his 10th hold of the season. He didn't strike out a batter.

Two groundouts and a pop-up got the job done for Weaver as he extended his scoreless streak to 24 innings, with the last run against him coming April 30. Over that impressive stretch, the veteran right-hander has a 0.63 WHIP and 31:5 K:BB while collecting eight holds, but zero wins or saves.

Abrams is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

The Nationals are closing out their series in Boston with a day game after a night game and left-hander Payton Tolle is starting for the Red Sox, making it an ideal time for the left-handed-hitting Abrams to receive a breather. Nasim Nunez will slide over from his usual spot at second base to replace Abrams at shortstop.