MLB Player News

Pratt is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies.

After starting all three games versus the Mets earlier this week, Pratt will receive a day of rest in Friday's series opener. Joey Ortiz will slide over to shortstop, and David Hamilton will occupy third base in his first game back from the injured list.

The Brewers reinstated Hamilton (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Friday, Hunter Baumgardt of Fox Sports 920 Milwaukee reports.

Before being placed on the injured list July 7, the 28-year-old had slashed .240/.317/.333 with three homers and 15 RBI in 237 plate appearances. Milwaukee designated Braden Shewmake for assignment to make room for Hamilton on the active roster.

Gusto will start Friday's game versus the Padres, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

He's filling in for the injured Max Meyer (neck). Gusto made a two-inning relief appearance Tuesday in Houston and hasn't been stretched out for a typical starter's workload since mid-June, so the Marlins will likely need to utilize their bullpen heavily in Friday's series opener.

Rumfield is not in the lineup for Friday's contest in Milwaukee.

It's a routine day off for Rumfield, who had started each of the previous 14 games. Troy Johnston will grab a start at first base and bat sixth for the Rockies in Friday's series opener.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said on MLB Network Radio that Marte (back) will be back in the lineup for Friday's game against the Nationals, Dani Wexelman of Cardinals.tv reports.

Marte was a late scratch Thursday versus the Cardinals due to back tightness, but he'll be back in action following a one-day absence. The switch-hitting second baseman has struggled thus far in July, slashing .229/.276/.343 across 76 plate appearances.

Drake is slated to start Sunday's game against the Nationals in Washington, D.C.

Unsurprisingly, Drake earned himself another turn through the rotation after delivering a sterling performance in his MLB debut Tuesday. He took a no-decision, holding the A's to one run on four hits and two walks while striking out five batters across five innings in an eventual extra-inning win. Before receiving his promotion to the big leagues, the 26-year-old southpaw had submitted a 6.92 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 60:31 K:BB with Triple-A Reno across 66.1 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

Mize (groin/wrist) is listed as the Tigers' scheduled starting pitcher for Saturday's game against the Royals at Comerica Park.

Mize was forced out of his previous start Sunday in Anaheim midway through the fourth inning due to a mild aggravation of a groin injury in addition to a left wrist contusion, which he sustained after getting his with a comebacker. Per MLB.com, the right-hander wasn't troubled by either issue while going through his normal routine between starts, so he should be free of restrictions Saturday. Since allowing a season-high five earned runs in his second start of the season April 6 in Minnesota, Mize has submitted a 2.43 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 69:14 K:BB in 70.1 innings over his subsequent 13 appearances.

Lowder is slated to start Friday's game against the Cardinals in St. Louis.

After heading to the bullpen shortly before the All-Star break, Lowder shifted back into the rotation to open the second half of the season after Cincinnati placed Nick Lodolo (finger) on the injured list. Making his 14th start of the campaign this past Saturday at Coors Field, Lowder was roughed up for eight earned runs on 11 hits over 2.1 innings, inflating his ERA up to 5.75. He'll get a chance to right the ship Friday, but regardless of how he performs, he'll likely be headed back to the bullpen or to Triple-A Louisville once Lodolo is ready to come off the IL.

Littell is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Carson Palmquist in Friday's game against the Diamondbacks, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Littell served as a traditional starter in his last appearance Saturday in Sacramento, but he was blasted for eight runs on eight hits and four walks across six innings in a loss to the Athletics. The Nationals will look to coax better results from Littell by deploying him out of the bullpen, with the right-hander likely to take over once Palmquist covers the first inning or two. Littell has submitted a 2.94 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 11.3 K-BB% in 33.2 innings over seven bulk-relief outings this season.

Straw went 0-for-2 with a walk, a run scored and a stolen base in Thursday's win over the Rays.

The veteran speedster got the start in center field but wound up playing all three outfield spots over the course of the afternoon as the Blue Jays went to their bench frequently in a 3-1 win. Straw has seen his playing time pick up of late, but over his last 10 games he's batting just .136 (3-for-33) with two runs and two steals. If Toronto ends up as a seller at the trade deadline, however, he could wind up as the team's top option in center field down the stretch with Daulton Varsho a likely candidate to be moved.