MLB Player News

Ruiz (concussion) is ramping up baseball activities and is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment soon, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reported Friday.

Ruiz started taking swings in batting practice last week, a significant stride in his recovery from a concussion he sustained in early July. The catcher will ramp up baseball activities this weekend, and the expectation is that he'll be cleared to begin a rehab assignment soon. In the meantime, Riley Adams and C.J. Stubbs will handle catching duties.

Gray (elbow) threw a about 30 pitches of live batting practice Wednesday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

The right-hander continues working his way back from the Tommy John surgery with an internal brace that he underwent in July 2024. Gray may need another live session or two before being cleared for a rehab assignment. Assuming he can avoid a setback, the 27-year-old has a good chance of coming off the injured list for a cameo with the Nationals before the end of the season.

Nationals interim manager Miguel Cairo said Friday that Millas will not return this season after undergoing surgery Friday to stabilize the fracture and repair the joint on his left index finger, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Millas suffered the injury on a catcher's interference during Wednesday's game against the Yankees. The Nationals expect him to be ready for the beginning of spring training.

McNeil is out of the lineup for Friday's game versus the Marlins.

McNeil started the previous six games and will take a seat after going hitless in the past three contests. Starling Marte is serving as the designated hitter Friday, which pushes Mark Vientos to third base and Brett Baty to second.

Mullins is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Marlins.

Mullins finds himself on the bench Friday for the second time in the past three games, all of which have come against right-handed starting pitchers. The center fielder had been operating as a strong-side platoon player, but it appears his .695 OPS through 21 games with the Mets has begun to affect his playing time. Tyrone Taylor is receiving another start in center field for New York.

The Royals placed Wacha on the paternity list Friday.

Wacha can miss a maximum of three days, according to MLB rules, which could put his scheduled Sunday start in jeopardy. The Royals recalled Stephen Kolek, who's served exclusively as a starter since being acquired by the Royals near the trade deadline, from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. Kansas City hasn't named a starter for Saturday's contest, which is Noah Cameron's normally scheduled turn through the rotation.

House is out of the lineup for Friday's game versus Tampa Bay, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

House started the previous two games but will head to the bench Friday while slumping at the plate, as he has a .194/.203/.239 slash line and 36.2 percent strikeout rate through 20 games in August. Paul DeJong is instead manning the hot corner and batting seventh for Washington.

The Royals recalled Kolek from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

Kolek was traded from San Diego to Kansas City near the trade deadline and immediately reported to Omaha. He made five starts with Omaha, posting a 6.63 ERA and a 20:10 K:BB across 19 innings. Kolek steps onto the active roster in place of Michael Wacha, who was placed on the paternity list. Per Anne Rogers of MLB.com the Royals haven't announced a starter for Saturday's game and have Wacha listed as Sunday's starter. Assuming Wacha will be back in time for his scheduled outing, Kolek could pitch in Saturday's game, potentially after Noah Cameron, although Kolek could also get that start if the Royals want to manage Cameron's workload.

Lile (illness) is batting sixth as the designated hitter Friday against the Rays, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

The 22-year-old has been held out of the starting nine for nearly a week due to an illness, but he'll return to action following Washington's team day off Thursday. Lile has earned a regular place in the lineup versus right-handed pitching and has a .313/.370/.448 slash line through 19 games in August.

The Brewers activated Zastryzny (ribs) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Zastryzny has been out since late June with a stress reaction in his ribs but is ready to go after overcoming a previous setback. He'll give manager Pat Murphy another left-handed option in the bulllpen.