MLB Player News

Arrighetti (foot) received an injection Monday and could be cleared to start a throwing program within the next few days, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Arrighetti was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday after being diagnosed with right foot nerve irritation. A timeline for his return to the bump remains up in the air, and while it's promising news that he could gain clearance to throw later in the week, it will ultimately depend on how his foot responds to the injection.

Valdez was removed during the fourth inning of Monday's game against the Diamondbacks after he was hit by a pitch on his left hand, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Valdez was plunked by a 91 mph fastball from Merrill Kelly in the fourth frame and was in visible pain. Valdez walked off the field with trainers, and the Pirates should have an update on his injury once he undergoes further tests. He was replaced by Jared Triolo, who has taken over at shorstop with Jacob Gonzalez moving to first base and Tyler Callihan shifting to right field.

Springs (hip) is expected to be available the next time his turn in the rotation comes up Friday versus the Tigers in Sacramento, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Springs made an early exit in Sunday's 11-8 loss to the Twins due to right hip discomfort. Fortunately for the veteran southpaw, an MRI on his hip came back clean, so assuming he can make it through his upcoming bullpen session without issue, he should be free of restrictions Friday. Over his 11 home starts this season, Springs has pitched to a 6.79 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 54.1 innings.

Cabrera (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell relayed Monday that Cabrera will likely need three rehab starts before rejoining the rotation, which would put the right-hander on track to return to the majors in mid-August. Cabrera landed on the 15-day injured list in late June due to a left hamstring injury. In his 14 starts before the injury, he had a 5-4 record with a 5.10 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 65:29 K:BB over 72.1 innings.

Liberatore is expected to be piggybacked by Hunter Dobbins in Monday's start versus the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The opposition is slashing .358/.463/.627 off Liberatore the third time through the batting order, so the southpaw will likely be allowed to face the lineup just twice before turning things over to Dobbins. Liberatore has collected a 5.18 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 95:38 K:BB over 99 innings covering 20 starts for St. Louis this season.

Dobbins is expected to piggyback Matthew Liberatore in Monday's game against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

It had seemed as though Dobbins would draw another spot start this week, but instead he will follow Liberatore out of the bullpen in a tandem outing Monday. Dobbins tossed six shutout frames in a start last week against the Angels and holds a 3.18 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 28:10 K:BB across 28.1 innings with St. Louis this season. The righty could receive regular turns in the Cardinals' rotation soon if the club trades Dustin May at the deadline.

Smith is not in the Astros' starting lineup against the Angels on Monday.

Smith will be on the bench for the beginning of Monday's game after going 1-for-10 with a two-run home run during the Astros' three-game weekend road series against the White Sox. Houston will start Taylor Trammell, Lucas Spence and LaMonte Wade in the outfield from left to right.

Diaz is not in the Astros' starting lineup against the Angels on Monday.

Diaz will grab a seat for Monday's series opener while Christian Vazquez starts behind home plate and bats ninth while forming a battery with right-hander Tatsuya Imai. Diaz has gone 3-for-24 with two runs and five strikeouts over six games since the All-Star break.

Hamilton is not in the Brewers' starting lineup against the Giants on Monday.

Hamilton will be out of the lineup for a second consecutive game while Joey Ortiz starts at third base and bats ninth. Hamilton has gone 1-for-7 with one steal and three strikeouts in his two games since returning from the 10-day injured list due to a left hamstring strain.

Leiter will undergo surgery Tuesday to address a right hip impingement and is expected to miss the remainder of the season, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Leiter landed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to the injury, which he'll opt to treat with a procedure rather than rest and rehab. The 35-year-old righty will close out the season with a 4.28 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, five holds and four saves across 33.2 innings.