MLB Player News

Bednar notched a save against the Cardinals on Tuesday, intentionally walking one batter and striking out three over 1.1 scoreless and hitless innings.

Bednar took the mound with two outs in the top of the eighth inning with runners at second and third and New York nursing a 2-0 lead. He began by intentionally walking pinch hitter Alec Burleson before striking out Nelson Velazquez on three pitches. The star closer returned for the ninth and retired all three batters he faced, the final two by strikeout. It was the continuation of a dominant stretch for Bednar -- he's converted 15 straight save opportunities, posting a 0.91 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 34:9 K:BB across 29.2 innings during that stretch. On the season, he's up to 25 saves, tied for sixth most in the majors.

General manager Dana Brown said Sunday that the Astros are targeting "mid-August, potentially the third week of August" for Matthews' (knee) return from the 10-day injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Per MLB.com, Matthews has been cleared to field grounders and hit on the field, but he has yet to resume running at full speed since landing on the injured list July 17 due to a left knee sprain. Before going down with the injury, Matthews had made six starts in center field over a seven-game stretch, but he'll be in search of playing time elsewhere once he returns after Houston acquired Daulton Varsho from Toronto on Monday.

Castro is out of the lineup for Wednesday's lineup against Tampa Bay.

Castro will get a breather for the series finale after he went 6-for-17 with two home runs, four runs and three RBI while starting in the Rockies' last four games. Edouard Julien will replace Castro at second base and will bat seventh Wednesday.

Goodman is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

Goodman ended up staying put with the Rockies following Monday's trade deadline, but he'll be held out of the lineup for the second time in four contests while Colorado wraps up its series against Tampa Bay with a day game after a night game. Brett Sullivan will spell Goodman behind the plate and will bat ninth.

Diaz is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against Colorado, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

After going 2-for-5 with a double, two runs scored, a walk and a stolen base in Tuesday's 9-7 win in 11 innings, Diaz will get some rest for a Wednesday matinee game. Jonathan Aranda will slot in as the Rays' designated hitter in Diaz's stead and will bat second.

Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said Tuesday that Raley is expected to miss the rest of the season after sustaining a left forearm strain, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Per MLB.com, Raley had been dealing with discomfort in his forearm/elbow for multiple weeks before the Mariners elected to place him on the injured list Saturday. The Mariners are still deciding on a treatment plan for Raley, with surgery seemingly not being ruled out. A right-handed thrower, Raley won't be affected by the injury in the field, but since he bats from the left side, he'll require a lengthy recovery even if he's able to avoid surgery and instead treats the injury with rest and rehab. Raley's injury was likely a major factor in the Mariners' acquisition Monday of Taylor Ward, who served as a designated hitter in Tuesday's loss to the Tigers but is expected to serve as Raley's primary replacement in right field.

Forbes (elbow) tossed a scoreless inning while allowing one walk and striking out two batters July 31 for High-A Hillsboro.

Forbes hadn't pitched since June 27 due to elbow discomfort. He has excelled when healthy, logging a 19:3 K:BB and 0.80 WHIP in 13.2 innings across five appearances for the Hops. Risk of re-injury and an inability to sufficiently build up his innings this year are the only knocks on the 22-year-old righty.

Manager Dave Roberts said Rushing (elbow) has a "very small" chance of being able to play catcher again this season, but the Dodgers are hopeful that the 25-year-old can serve as a left-handed option off the bench if he's able to return from the 10-day injured list, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Rushing was scratched from the lineup ahead of Sunday's loss to the Red Sox and placed on the injured list Monday due to what the Dodgers referred to as a mild strain of his throwing elbow. He was then sent in for further testing Tuesday, with an MRI revealing a UCL tear in his right elbow. While Rushing is hopeful to avoid surgery and treat the injury with rest and rehab, he won't be cleared to start a throwing program for 4-to-6 weeks, per Sonja Chen of MLB.com, which takes catching and playing first base or a corner-outfield spot off the table. A left-handed hitter, Rushing shouldn't be too affected by the injury at the plate, but the Dodgers likely won't be able to find regular room for him in the lineup so long as Shohei Ohtani is available to serve as their everyday designated hitter. With that in mind, Rushing looks like a safe drop for fantasy managers in nearly every redraft league.

Crow-Armstrong will bat leadoff and start at designated hitter Wednesday against the Dodgers.

The Cubs will give Crow-Armstrong a day off his feet, but he'll remain in his usual spot in the batting order. Tyrone Taylor will cover center field and bat ninth for the Cubs.

Mears (shoulder) is scheduled to begin a mound progression next week, MLB.com reports.

Mears has been sidelined since May 29 due to a right shoulder impingement and has dealt with multiple setbacks in his recovery, but after resuming a throwing program July 29, the right-hander is nearing a return to mound work. The 29-year-old will almost certainly need a rehab assignment before being activated, but if no new setbacks arise during his progression, a return before the end of August is possible. On the year, Mears owns a 5.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB across 19.1 innings.