Stott is starting at second base and batting leadoff in Friday's contest versus the Cardinals.

Stott has mostly hit eighth and no higher than fifth in the batting order this season previously, but he'll get a turn in the leadoff spot as the Phillies open a series in St. Louis. Kyle Schwarber had hit leadoff in every game versus a righty this season, but he's in the cleanup spot Friday versus righty Andre Pallante, who has reverse splits.

McNeil (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A St. Lucie on Friday, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

McNeil has been ramping up his rehab from a right oblique strain and has been cleared to test things out in game action. Upon his return, the 33-year-old McNeil will serve as the Mets' primary second baseman.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Friday that he's pretty confident McLain (hamstring) will be ready for activation from the 10-day injured list when first eligible Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

McLain's placement on the IL earlier this week with a left hamstring strain seemed largely precautionary, so it's not terribly surprising that he's trending toward a minimum absence. It appears the infielder will skip a rehab assignment and go directly back into the Reds' lineup once activated.

Tawa went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Wednesday's 9-0 win over the Orioles.

Tawa capped the Diamondbacks' five-run fifth inning with a two-run single that plated Alek Thomas and Jake McCarthy. Tawa started at second base for the third time in five games since Ketel Marte (hamstring) was added to the 10-day injured list. He and Garrett Hampson have alternated starts. With Marte expected to miss a "series of weeks," per manager Torey Lovullo, Tawa is in position to see ample opportunities through the end of the month.

Cronenworth (ribs) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics.

As anticipated, Cronenworth will be on the bench for the day game after he exited Tuesday night's 10-4 loss to the Athletics before the bottom of the third inning due to cramping on the right side of his ribs. Per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com, the injury is related to the contusion that Cronenworth suffered on his ribs after being hit by a pitch Sunday. With an off day looming Thursday, the Padres will err on the side of caution and hold Cronenworth out for the series finale, but the 31-year-old infielder expressed optimism that he would be ready to rejoin the lineup Friday against the Rockies.

Lopez is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Mets.

It's the first day off this season for Lopez, who is in a mini 1-for-15 slump at the dish. Javier Sanoja will start at second base and bat ninth as the Marlins look to avoid the sweep.

Alexander (oblique) began a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Reno, going 0-for-1 with two hit-by-pitches and a run scored.

Alexander played four innings at shortstop before checking out of the contest. The 25-year-old missed most of the Cactus League while recovering from a right oblique strain and will likely remain on assignment at Triple-A through the weekend before the Diamondbacks consider bringing him back from the injured list. Tim Tawa has recently taken over as Arizona's primary second baseman since Ketel Marte (hamstring) landed on the IL, but Alexander could emerge as a candidate to fill in at the keystone once he completes his rehab assignment and if Tawa is struggling to produce.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Tuesday that Marte will miss a "series of weeks" with a left hamstring strain, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. "There's no timeline on it," Lovullo said while referring to the injury as a Grade 1 strain. "We just gotta let him heal, let him recover and once we get to that point, we'll start to initiate some baseball activities."

Marte sustained the injury last Friday during the Diamondbacks' recent road trip and underwent an MRI when the club returned to Arizona on Monday. His absence leaves a hole in the Arizona lineup, which is being filled defensively by Tim Tawa and Garrett Hampson for now. Geraldo Perdomo has taken over Marte's spot in the order, serving as the leadoff batter against lefties and batting second against right-handers.

Padres manager Mike Shildt said that Cronenworth exited in the third inning of Tuesday's 10-4 loss to the Athletics due to cramping in his ribs, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Cronenworth initially appeared to be tending to a leg injury at the time he left the game, but Shildt clarified the nature of the second baseman's injury after the contest. The injury is related to a hit-by-pitch Cronenworth took to his ribs Sunday, and Shildt said that the team is "not overly concerned" about the issue, per Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune. However, Cassavell suggests that Cronenworth could be held out of San Diego's series finale versus the Athletics on Wednesday ahead of the team's off day Thursday.

Cronenworth was removed from Tuesday's game against the Athletics due to an apparent leg injury, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Cronenworth didn't even attempt to run to first base on his third-inning groundout, instead doubling over in pain while grabbing at his leg. He was eventually able to walk off the field under his own power, but the Padres will presumably take a closer look at him to see if he suffered any severe damage.