MLB Player News

Rojas (oblique) was scheduled to hit off a velocity machine Thursday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo indicated facing the machine is a step up from normal batting practice, which suggests Rojas is progressing from the Grade 2 strain suffered late in spring training. Upon his return, Rojas is expected to serve as the Diamondbacks' primary third baseman.

Hoerner went 1-for-3 with a stolen base Thursday in a loss to Pittsburgh.

Hoerner picked up his second stole base of the season in the seventh inning after grounding into a fielder's choice. He made it to third on a throwing error but was left stranded there. Hoerner has never racked up big stolen-base totals (either in the minors or majors) but certainly has potential in that area given his sprint speed, which ranks in the 90th percentile leaguewide.

Marte went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 11-2 win over the Nationals.

Marte is the latest Diamondback regular to push his average to .200 or better, making him one four players at or above the Mendoza line. He barely missed a home run on his first bat before popping out Wednesday, but the second baseman later was involved in a pair of rallies in a breakout performance for the team. The Diamondbacks plated half as many runs in this one game as they had in the previous 11.

Hernandez started at third base and went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and two runs scored in Wednesday's 11-2 win over the Nationals.

The stolen base was Hernandez's second, and the runs were his first, in eight games since being called up from Triple-A Reno. The utility infielder has started four of the last five games at third base, as he and Sergio Alcantara continue to share the position while Josh Rojas (oblique) is unavailable. The hot corner is among the many areas the Diamondbacks need help -- the team's third basemen bring up the rear with a .111 batting average -- but the club seems intent on waiting for Rojas, who recently begun swinging a bat in his rehab program.

Estrada went 0-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Mets.

Estrada earned his second steal in as many attempts this season after drawing a ninth-inning walk. This was also his second straight hitless game. He's now slashing .227/.261/.409 with two home runs, eight RBI and 10 runs scored through 12 contests. Estrada figures to continue serving as the Giants' primary second baseman while Tommy La Stella (Achilles) is on the injured list, but the former will likely need to hit slightly better to keep the job long-term.

Kim went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Reds.

Kim took Buck Farmer yard in the seventh inning to collect his first homer of the season. He's primarily split playing time with CJ Abrams at shortstop to begin the season, though Kim was in the lineup Wednesday due to Luke Voit getting a day off. Kim's overall line remains unremarkable, but he has racked up eight runs scored across only 32 plate appearances on the campaign.

McNeil is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus San Francisco, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

McNeil went 1-for-9 with a double, two RBI and a run in Tuesday's doubleheader and will take a seat with left-hander Carlos Rodon on the mound for the Giants. He started the past five games in left field, but he should see more action at second base moving forward with Mark Canha (illness) returning from the COVID-19 injured list.

Lux (back), who isn't starting Wednesday against Atlanta, is expected to be back in the lineup Friday against the Padres, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Lux will be on the bench for a second straight game to close out the series against Atlanta, but manager Dave Roberts is optimistic that the 24-year-old will be back in action for Friday's series opener in San Diego. Zach McKinstry was added to the Dodgers' taxi squad as a precautionary measure Wednesday, but it appears as though Lux will be back in action Friday following a relatively brief absence.

Lux (back) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

He'll be on the bench for a second straight game, after he was scratched ahead of Tuesday's 3-1 loss due to back tightness. The Dodgers added Triple-A Oklahoma City utility man Zach McKinstry to their taxi squad Wednesday, and he could be formally added to the 28-man active roster if Lux's back issue is deemed significant enough to require a stint on the injured list.

Albies went 2-for-5 with a double, run and stolen base in a 3-1 victory against the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Albies doubled in the third inning, then singled, stole second and scored in the fifth to register his second multi-hit game of the season. The theft was the 25-year-old's first after he posted a career high of 20 set last season. That speed, when paired with a slugging of .577 so far for 2022, puts Albies in rare company.