MLB Player News

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Wednesday that Wetherholt has been playing with some lower-half soreness but is expected back in the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Wetherholt didn't play in Wednesday's win over the Rangers in part so that he could have consecutive days of rest when combined with Thursday's team off day. Barring something unforeseen, the rookie second baseman will be back in the leadoff spot for the Cardinals in Friday's series opener versus Cincinnati.

McLain started at shortstop and went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to Kansas City.

McLain has started all three games at shortstop since Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) landed on the injured list. The Reds have slotted McLain in as the No. 9 hitter in all three games, while outfielder JJ Bleday has moved up to the No. 2 spot in the order in place of De La Cruz.

Freeland went 3-for-4 with a walk and two RBI in Wednesday's 7-0 win over the Diamondbacks.

Freeland has gone 6-for-11 with a double, a homer, four RBI and three runs over his last four games. The infielder's steal was his first of the season. He's hitting .254 with a .705 OPS, three home runs, 12 RBI, 14 runs scored and five doubles across 131 plate appearances. Freeland is poised to continue serving in a strong-side platoon role at second base at least until Tommy Edman (ankle) is ready for his season debut, which is likely to come in the middle of June.

Albies went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run, a double and two runs scored against Toronto in a 7-3 win Wednesday.

Albies destroyed a pitch for a three-run homer that barely stayed fair down the left-field line to bolster Atlanta's 4-3 lead in the seventh. The three-time All-Star delivered his 19th multi-hit performance of the season, lengthening his hitting streak to seven games in the process. During that span, Albies has gone 11-for-27 with two home runs and seven RBI.

Marte is nursing lower back and hamstring injuries and is out of the lineup for Wednesday's matchup against the Dodgers, reports John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.

The Diamondbacks are being cautious of Marte with his banged up lower back and hamstring, which aren't believed to be serious issues. The 32-year-old will be replaced by Ildemaro Vargas at second base. Marte will get his first rest since May 17.

Wetherholt is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

It's a rare off day for Wetherholt, who has now started 57 of 60 games for the Cardinals this season. Thomas Saggese will fill in at second base, and Masyn Winn will be elevated to the leadoff spot as St. Louis tries to avoid a series sweep.

Arraez went 2-for-5 with a double, a triple and a run scored in Tuesday's 8-3 loss to the Brewers.

Arraez smacked a two-out triple in the top of the first inning but was stranded after Matt Chapman fouled out. Arraez's average has been above .300 since April 8, and he's now slashing .323/.365/.434 with 11 doubles, four triples, two homers, 23 RBI, 30 runs scored, five stolen bases and a 15:10 BB:K across 253 plate appearances this season.

Turang went 2-for-4 with two RBI singles, one walk and a stolen base in Tuesday's 8-3 win over the Giants.

The top three batters in the Brewers' lineup went a combined 6-for-11 with four walks, five RBI and four runs scored Tuesday. Turang singled home a run and stole his 10th base of the season in the seventh inning before adding another RBI single to pad the lead in the eighth. After closing May on an 0-for-19 skid, Turang is 4-for-6 with four RBI and three walks to begin June. The second baseman is slashing .275/.405/.460 with seven home runs, 35 RBI, 46 runs scored, the 10 steals and a 45:58 BB:K across 249 plate appearances this season.

The Mets re-signed Arroyo to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

Arroyo exercised the opt-out clause in his minor-league deal Monday but quickly agreed to a new contract a day later. The 31-year-old infielder has slashed .304/.333/.446 with five home runs at Triple-A Syracuse this season.

Castro went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Tuesday's 8-2 win over the Angels.

Castro has gone 10-for-32 (.313) over his last eight games after a short absence due to lower-back tightness. The utility man has just two extra-base hits in that span, but his fourth-inning homer Tuesday blew the game wide open as the Rockies marched to the win. Castro is batting a decent .260 this season, adding a .692 OPS, three homers, 22 RBI, 25 runs scored, nine doubles and four stolen bases over 51 contests.