MLB Player News

Garcia (elbow) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Angels.

Garcia was expected to return to the starting nine Saturday after sitting out Friday's contest with elbow cramps, but he will instead sit out a second consecutive game. Nick Loftin will pick up an extra start at the hot corner as a result and bat eighth.

Smith is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's matchup against the Cubs, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Smith belted a three-run homer Friday, but he'll begin the middle contest of the three-game series on the bench. That will give Dalton Rushing, who is having a big season as Smith's backup, another chance to start. Smith figures to be back in the lineup Sunday for the series finale.

The Astros optioned Gordon to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Gordon has struggled since arriving in the majors April 14, giving up 12 earned runs in just 9.1 innings across four appearances. He'll now head back to the minors to right the ship, and Bennett Sousa (oblique) will come off the injured list to fill the open bullpen spot.

Bowlan (groin) is set to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

Bowlan landed on the 15-day IL on April 13 due to a right groin strain. He's been throwing bullpen sessions and will now take another step in his rehab by seeing game action. Bowlan is eligible to return from the injured list Tuesday, and it's feasible that he'll be ready to return to Philadelphia's bullpen at that time.

The Astros reinstated Sousa (oblique) from the injured list Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

After spending the first month of the season on the injured list working his way back from an oblique strain, Sousa will now rejoin the Astros' bullpen. He'll likely settle into a high-leverage role and could even be in the mix for saves while Josh Hader (biceps) is sidelined. Colton Gordon was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

The Phillies optioned McFarlane to Double-A Reading on Saturday.

McFarlane was called up to Philadelphia on Friday but didn't get into that day's contest against Atlanta. He's headed back to Reading one day later, as the Phillies needed to clear a spot on the active roster for Zack Wheeler (shoulder), who was reinstated from the injured list. McFarlane has been pitching well in the minors and could get another chance to make his big-league debut later this season.

The Phillies returned Wheeler (shoulder) from his rehab assignment and activated him from the 15-day injured list Saturday.

Wheeler spent the early portion of the campaign in the minors rehabbing from surgery to address venous thoracic outlet syndrome. He was shaky during the five-game rehab stint, posting a 5.85 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 20 innings, though that came with an impressive 23:5 K:BB. Wheeler is set to make his first MLB start of 2026 -- and first big-league appearance since Aug. 15 of last year -- Saturday in Atlanta.

The Reds recalled Franco from Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Franco had a previous stint with Cincinnati from late March to early April, appearing in three games and allowing two earned runs while posting a 4:5 K:BB over 5.2 innings. He's now back to take the big-league bullpen spot of Kyle Nicolas, who was optioned to Louisville in a corresponding transaction. Franco will likely work in middle and long relief while up with the Reds.

The Reds recalled Bleday from Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Bleday had an excellent spring training but didn't break camp with Cincinnati. He's been tearing up Triple-A pitching, posting a 1.121 OPS with six homers, 19 RBI and one stolen base over 24 games, and will now get a chance to make an impact with the Reds. Bleday hit 14 homers while driving in 39 runs and slashing .212/.294/.404 over 98 games with the Athletics last season, and he'll likely serve as a reserve outfielder during his initial stint in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati optioned Nicolas to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Nicolas spent the past two weeks on the big-league roster and got into seven games, struggling to an 8.59 ERA, 2.86 WHIP and 7:13 K:BB over 7.1 innings. That damage was largely a result of two poor outings during which he yielded a combined seven runs across 1.2 frames; in his other five appearances, he wasn't charged with any earned runs. Nonetheless, Nicolas' awful 31.0 percent walk rate is likely something he'll be tasked with working on while in the minors.