MLB Player News

Frazier went 5-for-6 with four doubles, two RBI and three runs scored in Monday's 18-5 win over the Cubs.

Several Pirates had career days in Monday's offensive explosion and Frazier was no exception. It was his first career five-hit performance and raised his OPS from .672 to .706. With rookie Kevin Newman swinging a hot bat, Frazier needs to continue making an impact at the plate to keep himself in the lineup.

Marte started in center field and went 0-for-4 with an RBI in Sunday's 10-4 loss to the Giants.

This was Marte's first outfield start in 10 days. He had been limited to infield-only duty as he worked his way back from a groin injury suffered June 21. Since missing two games due to the injury, Marte is 8-for-26 (.308) with a walk, two doubles and an RBI over seven games.

McNeil went 3-for-5 with two runs batted in and a stolen base in a victory over Atlanta on Sunday.

On the day he was named to the All-Star team for the first time, McNeil recorded his eighth game of three or more hits this season and took over the major-league lead in batting average. The performance culminated a transcendent June in which McNeil hit .373 (38-for-102) with four homers and 17 runs batted in. For the season, the second-year star is slashing .348/.412/.509 in 267 at-bats.

Albies (elbow) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Mets.

Albies was removed from Saturday's game after being hit by a pitch on the left elbow. The Braves labeled his exit as precautionary, but he'll nonetheless remain on the bench for the series finale with a scheduled off day coming Monday. Albies will be available to pinch hit if needed, per Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Johan Camargo will start at the keystone and bat seventh Sunday.

Albies made a precautionary exit from Saturday's game against the Mets in the sixth inning after being hit by a pitch on the left elbow.

Albies was checked by the athletic trainer and remained in the game to run the bases, but he did not retake the field for the bottom of the sixth. The Braves labeling the injury as precautionary is a good early sign, but the 22-year-old could be held out of Sunday's lineup regardless with a scheduled off day to follow Monday.

Gorman was named to the 2019 All-Star Futures Game on Friday, Shaun O'Neill of MLB.com reports.

Gorman is one of two members of the Cardinals organization invited to the July 7 game, with fellow top prospect Dylan Carson being the other. Gorman was just promoted to High-A Palm Beach from Low-A Peoria on June 20 after slugging 27 extra-base hits (14 doubles, three triples, 10 home runs) and driving in 41 runs across 67 games for the Chiefs. The 19-year-old third baseman has gotten off to a sluggish start at his new stop, but his power profile is considered elite.

Ngoepe signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Saturday.

The 29-year-old middle infielder hit just .221 in 41 games at Triple-A Lehigh Valley with the Phillies before he was cut loose. He will report to Double-A Altoona.

Garcia went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored for Double-A Harrisburg on Friday.

The Nats' No. 2 fantasy prospect won't turn 20 until next May, a vitally important context to consider before dismissing him as a flop for his .590 OPS on the year. Garcia's found his form at the plate in June, though, slashing .330/.358/.398 through 24 games on the month, and while he still isn't supplying a lot of power or speed, his athletic profile suggests he'll provide both once he matures. Trea Turner is entrenched at shortstop and Carter Kieboom is next in line at second base, so the club can afford to be patient with Garcia.

Diaz went 4-for-4 with a walk, two doubles, a home run, two runs scored, four RBI and a stolen base for Triple-A New Orleans on Friday.

The 23-year-old seems fully recovered from the sore knee which cost him a couple games at the beginning of the week. Diaz is slashing .297/.384/.558 with 17 homers and 51 RBI over 76 contests for New Orleans this year, and with Starlin Castro almost certainly playing his final season for Miami one way or another, Diaz could be the team's starting second baseman by Opening Day in 2020, if not sooner.

Marte could play center field Saturday for the first time since returning from a two-game absence due to a groin injury, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Marte has been cleared for infield duty only -- he's started four games at second base since his return -- but will seek medical clearance for the outfield. "We told him to be careful (the first game back)," Lovullo said. "I think with each day that's passed he's got a lot closer to being himself." Marte, who went 0-for-5 on Friday, is batting .412 (7-for-17) over the four games since his return.