MLB Player News

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.

Edwards went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and three runs scored for Low-A Fort Wayne on Thursday.

Edwards has been raking for the TinCaps all season, but this performance was notable in that he homered in the fourth inning, marking his first long ball at any professional level. Despite the lack of power, he's hit very well throughout his minor-league career, as he's slashing .336/.414/.400 since he was drafted in 2018. If Thursday's long ball is a sign he's set to add more power to his game, it would be a big addition to his profile, as he's already clearly a skilled offensive prospect.

Albies went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in a loss to the Cubs on Thursday.

Albies plated the Braves' first run of the game with a single in the second inning, then produced their final run with a solo homer in the sixth. After hitting only one home run in May, the 22-year-old has now gone deep six times in June while hitting a healthy .330 (31-for-94). Overall this season, he is slashing .284/.345/.472 with 13 homers and 44 RBI in 324 at-bats.

Short, who has been on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Iowa since mid-April due to a hand injury, began a rehab assignment with the Cubs' rookie-level Arizona League affiliate last week.

Short has gone 6-for-15 with two doubles and seven walks over five games. The 24-year-old infielder should soon be ready to test himself at a full-season affiliate before reclaiming an everyday role at Iowa.

Frazier is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Astros.

Frazier will head to the bench for the third time in six games as Colin Moran draws a start at the keystone. Though he initially thrived at the dish after being dropped as the Pirates' leadoff man in favor of Kevin Newman earlier this month, Frazier has fallen into an offensive funk of late. Over his last nine games, Frazier has recorded four hits in 24 at-bats.

Marte has been cleared for infield duty only after returning from a groin injury, Julie Stambaugh of the Arizona Republic reports.

Marte, who was out of the lineup Wednesday, has played second base since missing two games due to the groin. Manager Torey Lovullo is not yet certain when Marte will be ready to handle the more stressful outfield position.

McNeil went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk, a double, two RBI and a run scored Wednesday against the Phillies.

McNeil took Nick Pivetta deep to lead off the fifth inning and record his sixth home run of the campaign. He added an RBI double an inning later to put the Mets up 4-0. McNeil has swung the bat well of late, putting together seven multi-hit efforts in his last nine starts. That's helped raise his line to .351/.414/.514 across 278 plate appearances for the season.