MLB Player News

Hiura was officially promoted by the Brewers on Tuesday.

Hiura started the year hot for Triple-A San Antonio, hitting .333/.408/.698 with 11 homers in 37 games. The 22-year-old projects as an average defender at best, but scouts love both his contact and power ability. He should be in line for an everyday role at second base, pushing Mike Moustakas to third. Travis Shaw (wrist) was sent to the injured list to clear a spot on the 25-man roster, with Cory Spangenberg getting designated for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man.

The Brewers plan to promote Hiura from Triple-A San Antonio prior to Tuesday's game against the Phillies, Robert Murray of The Athletic reports.

With top third baseman Travis Shaw off to a rough start to begin 2019, the Brewers will delve into their minor-league ranks and bring aboard their top prospect to provide an offensive lift. Hiura should immediately take over as the Brewers' everyday second baseman, pushing Mike Moustakas to his more natural position at the hot corner. Shaw, meanwhile, is expected to be placed on the 10-day injured list or get optioned to Triple-A, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The 22-year-old Hiura has been crushing Pacific Coast League pitching throughout the season, slashing .333/.408/.698 across 147 plate appearance while homering 11 times and chipping in four steals.

Walker went 2-for-4 with a double, a solo home run and two runs scored in Monday's 9-3 win over Pittsburgh.

Walker's blast was his eighth of the season but first in 18 games. His season is made up of hot stretches followed by cold ones, and he entered Monday's game with a .221 average and .368 slugging percentage over the previous 17 games. Walker doesn't have a long MLB track record, so it looks like opponents are writing the book on him on the fly. In good times and in bad, Walker has struggled with fastballs up in the zone, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports. Few qualified hitters are swinging and missing more at pitches in the zone, per Fangraphs, and Walker has a 31.1 K%. With opponents making adjustments to Walker, it's up to him adjust to how they pitch to him.

Bell went 2-for-4 with an RBI single and a walk in Monday's 9-3 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Bell knocked in a run during the first inning, extending his hitting streak to 13 games. He missed out on other opportunities though, including a bases-loaded strikeout in the seventh frame. His OPS now sits at an incredible 1.050 with 35 RBI. The red-hot slugger has been one of the best fantasy surprises in 2019.

Goldschmidt went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run Sunday against the Pirates.

Goldschmidt smacked a two-run blast to left field in the first inning, cutting the Cardinals' early deficit to one run. The 31-year-old has pieced together a modest three-game hitting streak, raising his batting average over 25 points during that brief stretch.

Bell went 4-for-4 with a double, a home run, five RBI, a walk and three runs scored Sunday against the Cardinals.

Bell kicked off the scoring in this one in the first inning with a double to right center, plating two runs. He tied the contest in the seventh by smashing a three-run homer. The 26-year-old has been red-hot at the dish of late and has extended his hitting streak to 12 games following Sunday's series finale. Bell also managed to raise his batting average from .299 to .319 following a four-hit performance.

Rizzo is out of the lineup for Sunday night's game against the Brewers due to back tightness, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Saturday's 15-inning game and Sunday's cold weather may have caused Rizzo's back to tighten up, so he'll take a seat for the series finale. The Cubs will justifiably remain cautious with their star first baseman and take advantage of Monday's scheduled off day to give him two full days off his feet. Kris Bryant will move over to first base Sunday as Rizzo steps out of the lineup for the first time this season.

Freeman was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks due to a head cold, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The issue had reportedly bothered Freeman before the Braves arrived in Arizona, but he started the first two games of the series and went 4-for-9 with two extra-base hits in those contests. The Braves will hope that a day of rest coupled with Monday's off day will be all Freeman needs to make a full recovery in time for Tuesday's series opener against the Cardinals. Charlie Culberson will replace Freeman at first base Sunday.

Alonso and the Mets won't play the Marlins on Sunday after the contest was postponed due to inclement weather in New York.

The two teams will make up the postponed game as part of a doubleheader Aug. 5. The Mets will return to action Tuesday for the start of a three-game set in Washington.

Cooper (hand) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Saturday.

Cooper will hope his latest return from the injured list goes better than the previous one, when he appeared in just one game before bruising his hand. He'll head straight into the starting lineup Saturday, batting fifth and playing right field against the Mets, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports. Peter O'Brien (ribs) landed on the injured list in a corresponding move.