MLB Player News

Ortiz will start at third base and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Mariners.

The Brewers will get some reinforcement on the left side of the infield Wednesday with shortstop Cooper Pratt (hamstring) returning from the injured list and immediately re-entering the lineup, but the hot-hitting Ortiz will get the nod at third base over David Hamilton. Ortiz will pick up his seventh straight start after going 7-for-21 with a home run, a double, four walks, six runs and four RBI over the Brewers' last six games.

Smith-Shawver didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Twins, giving up four runs on five hits and three walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out three.

Making just his second big-league appearance of the season, Smith-Shawver retired the first seven batters he faced before the wheels began to come off in the third inning, as four straight Minnesota hitters reached base before the right-hander coaxed a double play out of Josh Bell to escape the jam. Smith-Shawver wasn't so lucky in the fifth, getting the hook after 75 pitches (49 strikes) following a bases-loaded walk to Bell. Atlanta has indicated the 23-year-old will remain in the rotation for now as part of a six-man unit -- the team is in the middle of a three-week stretch with just one scheduled off day that takes them to Sept. 3 -- but he'll need to perform better to keep his spot. Smith-Shawver is set to make his next trip to the mound at home next week against the Dodgers.

Rodden will start at shortstop and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

Since being called up from Triple-A Tacoma on Friday, Rodden has started at shortstop in each of the Mariners' ensuing five games. Rodden has gotten off to a nice start to his big-league career by going 4-for-13 with two doubles, three walks, three RBI and two runs, but his playing time will likely fall by the wayside once J.P. Crawford (wrist) returns from the injured list. Crawford is slated to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A on Thursday and could be ready to rejoin the Mariners within a week.

Benge went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Padres.

The rookie outfielder opened the scoring when he sliced a Michael King sinker just inside the left-field foul pole in the fourth inning, and the Mets never looked back. Benge is up to 15 homers on the year with a .752 OPS, and that's largely been fueled by an impressive August in which he's delivered a .311/.373/.557 slash line with four home runs, nine runs and 10 RBI over 16 games.

Cecconi (arm) recently threw a bullpen session and is scheduled for another bullpen this week before beginning a rehab assignment, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander landed on the injured list Aug. 7 due to arm fatigue and was apparently cleared to resume throwing after an MRI came back clean over the weekend. Cecconi hasn't been on the shelf for long, so he may require only one or two appearances in the minor leagues before being cleared to rejoin the big-league roster.

Massey is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics.

After five consecutive starts, the left-handed-hitting Massey will retreat to the bench while southpaw Jeffrey Springs toes the rubber for the Athletics. Nick Loftin will step in for Massey at second base and bat leadoff.

Collins is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics.

Collins is slashing just .197/.266/.308 over 129 plate appearances versus lefties this season, so the Royals will keep him on the bench while southpaw Jeffrey Springs toes the rubber for the Athletics. Tyler Tolbert will replace Collins in left field and will bat eighth.

Senga recorded his fourth save of the season in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Padres, giving up one run on two hits and a walk in one inning. He failed to strike out a batter.

The right-hander put three straight baserunners aboard with one out in the ninth to make things interesting, but Senga was able to get pinch-hitter Austin Hays to ground into a double play to escape the jam. Devin Williams (shoulder) isn't expected back until sometime in September, so Senga should continue holding down the fort as the Mets' closer for another couple weeks or so. Wednesday's run was the first he's allowed over six appearances in August, and Senga has yet to blow a save chance.

The Pirates released Fletcher on Wednesday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Fletcher slashed .313/.387/.418 with five RBI and 15 runs scored in 21 games after signing a minor-league deal with Pittsburgh in mid-July. He'll now exercise an opt-out clause and test his value in the open market, though he may have to settle for another minor-league contract.

Williams is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals.

Though shortstop Jacob Wilson (shoulder) remains out of the lineup, Williams will join him on the bench after picking up starts in the middle infield in each of the Athletics' previous four contests. Three of those starts came against lefties, so even if Wilson requires a stint on the injured list, Williams may be in store for a short-side platoon role.