MLB Player News

Hiura (quadriceps) walked in a pinch-hitting appearance Monday in the Brewers' 6-5 loss to the Reds.

The Brewers made Hiura a late scratch from the starting nine while the rookie was battling a tight left quad, but his usage off the bench implies his injury isn't a major concern. Hiura will presumably be re-evaluated when he reports to work Tuesday before the Brewers decide whether to reinsert him back into the lineup at second base or extend him another day off.

Goldschmidt went 1-for-4 with a grand slam and a walk during a 6-5 victory against the Pirates on Monday.

The veteran first baseman smashed his grand slam to right-center in the top of the 10th, and the Cardinals needed all four of those runs, as the Pirates answered with three in the bottom of the 10th. Goldschmidt isn't experiencing a characteristic season based on his standards in his first year with the Cardinals, but he is on pace to eclipse the 30-homer mark for the third straight season. Goldschmidt is batting .248 with 19 home runs, 48 RBI, and 57 runs in 367 at-bats this season.

Hiura was scratched from Monday's lineup against the Reds due to left quadriceps tightness.

Hiura was named the National League player of the week earlier in the day, but he'll be held out Monday due to injury. He'll be considered day-to-day moving forward. Tyler Saladino draws the start at the keystone and will bat eight in Hiura's stead.

Freeman went 3-for-5 with a double and a stolen base while knocking in a run and scoring twice in Sunday's victory versus Washington.

Freeman recorded his eighth game of three or more hits this season, collecting singles in the first and third innings and a run-scoring double in the seventh. The All-Star first baseman went 7-for-18 in the four-game series against the Nationals, driving in a single run in each game of the series. He is slashing .301/.387/.567 with 25 homers and 78 RBI in 395 at-bats this season.

Naylor was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Sunday.

The move had been widely reported Saturday, but the club made the official move to make room for Michel Baez and Adrian Morejon on the 25-man roster. Naylor hit .236/.287/.358 across 41 games in his first major-league experience.

Goldschmidt is not in Sunday's lineup against the Reds.

Goldschmidt will draw his first day off since the All-Star break. His performance across those nine games has been a mixed bag, as he's turned in five hitless performances but also managed two multi-hit efforts. Recently recalled Rangel Ravelo will bat third and start at first base in his place.

Smith went 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in Saturday's 11-4 win over the Giants.

It was Smith's 10th homer of the season and eighth since taking over as the Mets' primary left fielder at the beginning of June. The 24-year-old is really coming into his own this season, slashing .293/.370/.537 while lowering his strikeout rate (21.7 percent) and raising his walk rate (10.4 percent). Smith should continue to see regular at-bats against righties, making him a viable option in most formats.

Beaty went 1-for-1 with a go-ahead three-run homer in a 10-6 win over the Marlins on Saturday.

Beaty entered the game as a defensive replacement in left field in the eighth inning. He then delivered the biggest hit of the night in the bottom half of the frame with the three-run homer to reclaim the lead for the Dodgers. Beaty has frequently entered off the bench, hitting .313/.336/.530 with five homers, 24 RBI and 19 runs scored in 115 at-bats this season. Despite going 12-for-28 with three homers, 11 RBI and nine runs scored over his last 10 games, he's likely to remain in a pinch-hitting role more often than not.

Naylor will be optioned prior to Sunday's game against the Cubs, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Naylor has been with the big-league team for nearly two months but hasn't particularly impressed, hitting .238/.289/.362 with three homers in 40 games. As a player whose value comes almost exclusively from his bat, he'll have to hit much better during his next opportunity if he's to stick around. Adrian Morejon will be called up to take his place on the roster.

Alonso is not in the lineup Saturday against the Giants, Matt Ehalt of Yahoo! Sports reports.

Alonso will sit for the first time since late May. He's been cold in the seven games since the All-Star break, hitting .100/.200/.300, though the sample size is of course quite small. Dominic Smith will move to first base in his absence, with J.D. Davis starting in left field.