MLB Player News

Soto (calf) took live batting practice at Citi Field on Wednesday, Chelsea Janes of SNY.tv reports.

Soto has been out for the past month due to a Grade 2 left calf strain, but he's been running and swinging the bat lately and appears to be closing in on a return to the Mets' active roster. He came back from a right calf strain earlier this season without a rehab assignment and could skip rehab games again, though he missed less than three weeks with the first injury. When healthy, Soto has slashed .283/.408/.539 with 21 home runs and seven steals in 84 contests for the Mets this season.

Wrobleski (forearm) will face hitters in a live batting practice session Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

If Wrobleski checks out fine physically following Wednesday's throwing session, he could be cleared to head out on a brief minor-league rehab assignment as soon as this weekend. Though he earned an All-Star nod and went 11-5 with a 3.56 ERA and 1.10 WHIP while working out of the Los Angeles rotation before hitting the injured list Aug. 16 due to forearm inflammation, Wrobleski will be ticketed for a multi-inning relief role upon his return now that Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow have both returned from extended injury-related absences.

Atlanta claimed Vanasco off waivers from the Tigers on Wednesday and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Vanasco was designated for assignment by the Tigers earlier this week, but he will now join Atlanta's 40-man roster. The right-handed reliever has allowed 12 runs (11 earned) with a 4:6 K:BB over 6.1 innings in the majors this season, but he's been much more effective at Triple-A Toledo with a 2.53 ERA and 59:24 K:BB in 46.1 frames.

Natera (back) will begin a rehab assignment Friday with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Natera landed on the 15-day injured list less than a week ago after experiencing lower-back spasms, but he resumed mound work Tuesday and is nearing a return to game action. The lefty reliever is eligible for activation Sept. 1 and is tracking toward a return on that date.

Meckler (concussion) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday, Erica Weston of Angels Broadcast Television reports.

Meckler landed on the 7-day concussion injured list Friday after being struck by a pitch in the head Thursday, but he's since passed protocols and been cleared for game action. Barring a setback, he should return to the Angels' active roster when first eligible Friday.

Naylor is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

Naylor will hit the bench for the first time since Aug. 11, with the left-handed-hitting first baseman getting the afternoon off while the Phillies send a southpaw (Jesus Luzardo) to the bump. Patrick Wisdom will step in at first base in place of Naylor, who has been sizzling at the plate lately with a .367/.400/.500 slash line, two home runs, three steals, seven RBI and six runs over his past 15 games.

Triolo is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres.

Triolo will hit the bench for the first time since Aug. 12, breaking a streak of 12 consecutive starts at either third base or shortstop. Though he posted a weak .610 OPS during that 12-game stretch, Triolo could nonetheless continue to maintain steady playing time due to the defensive upgrade he provides at third base over Nick Gonzales, who has been seeing more playing time at second base and designated hitter of late.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Brown (neck) suffered a setback during his live batting practice session Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Working his way back from a stress reaction in his neck, Brown began feeling discomfort in his neck toward the end of the session, and the pain worsened as the day moved along. He is headed back to Chicago to be evaluated and is "gonna slow it down in some way," per Counsell. Brown hasn't pitched in a game since late June, and he now looks like a long shot to make it back before the end of the season.

Kepler is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

After starting in the first two games of the series and going 1-for-7 at the plate between those contests, the left-handed-hitting Kepler will retreat to the bench for the finale while Chicago sends a lefty (Matthew Boyd) to the bump. Arizona will roll out a starting outfield of Ryan Waldschmidt, Jordan Lawlar and Corbin Carroll from left to right.

Moreno is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

James McCann will get the starting nod behind the plate while Moreno receives a breather for Wednesday's matinee. Moreno has been one of the top fantasy catchers this season, leading all qualified players at the position with a .303 average while also adding 10 home runs, 65 RBI, 56 runs and five stolen bases.