MLB Player News

McCutchen is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.

In what's becoming a regular occurrence since the All-Star break, McCutchen will get a breather for the day game after a night game. With McCutchen on the bench, Bryan Reynolds will serve as the Pirates' designated hitter.

Kiner-Falefa is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Blue Jays.

Kiner-Falefa will receive a day of rest after starting each of the previous eight games. The Pirates will shift Jared Triolo over to third base and install Liover Peguero at shortstop in Wednesday's series finale.

The Pirates optioned Sisk to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.

Acquired from the Royals at the trade deadline, Sisk initially reported to Indianapolis before the Pirates recalled him last Friday. The team wasted no time putting Sisk to work, as he made relief appearances four of the past five days and was charged with three earned runs on three hits and one walk while striking out four across 3.1 innings. He'll head back to the minors and give up his spot on the 26-man active roster to Johan Oviedo, who was recalled ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday versus the Blue Jays.

The Pirates recalled Oviedo from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.

Oviedo is set to rejoin the Pirates rotation with a start Wednesday against the Blue Jays. The right-hander was tagged for two runs over just one inning in a start earlier this month for Pittsburgh but had permitted four runs (three earned) with a 15:3 K:BB across 8.2 frames in his last two outings with Indianapolis.

The Reds placed Stephenson on the 10-day injured list Thursday due to a fractured left thumb.

Cincinnati had previously labeled the injury that had kept Stephenson from playing in the last four games as a sore thumb, but X-rays evidently revealed that the backstop sustained structural damage to the finger. The team hasn't provided word on the severity of the fracture nor indicated whether Stephenson will require surgery, so his timeline for a return is unclear at the moment. Cincinnati called up Will Banfield from Triple-A Louisville to provide the team with another option behind the plate, but Jose Trevino is expected to receive the bulk of the starts at catcher while Stephenson is on the shelf.

The Reds selected Banfield's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.

Banfield will serve as the backup catcher behind Jose Trevino while Tyler Stephenson (thumb) is on the shelf. The 25-year-old Banfield has slashed .220/.277/.304 with two home runs this season with Louisville and will be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game.

The Diamondbacks recalled Jarvis from Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

Jarvis has made eight appearances for Arizona this season, allowing seven runs with a 13:7 K:BB over 14.1 innings. He's pitched exclusively as a starter at Reno, so Jarvis will offer some length out of the big-league bullpen.

The Diamondbacks optioned Hoffmann to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

Hoffmann was unscored upon in his first three appearances for the Diamondbacks but was touched up for a total of five runs across his last three outings. His spot on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen will be absorbed by Bryce Jarvis, who was recalled from Reno.

Seymour surrendered one earned run on three hits and one walk while striking out three across three innings in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Padres.

Seymour worked in long relief once again, logging three innings for the fourth time in nine appearances this season. The right-hander threw 33 of his 54 pitches for strikes and recorded at least three strikeouts for the third time. He owns a 3.92 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 16:8 K:BB, allowing six home runs in 20.2 innings.

Alexander will start Thursday's game against the Orioles at Camden Yards, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Though Houston will get Lance McCullers (finger) back from the injured list to start Friday, Alexander will at least temporarily stick around in a starting role while the Astros run out a six-man rotation this week. Houston could keep the six-man setup in place when the team begins a stretch of 13 games in 13 days Tuesday, but Alexander may need to perform well in his start in Baltimore to ensure he remains in the rotation over Luis Garcia (elbow), who could be ready to return from the 60-day IL next week. Alexander has fared well over his last four starts, logging a 1.59 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 21:6 K:BB in 22.2 innings.