MLB Player News

Solarte (oblique) is expected to return from the disabled list Sunday.

The switch-hitting infielder began a rehab assignment earlier in the week and it appears it has gone well enough to where Solarte may be back in a Padres uniform by Sunday. The Padres hinted at Solarte seeing some reps at shortstop during his rehab stint, which adds to his already strong infield versatility. The official move to activate Solarte will likely come in the hours before first pitch of Sunday's series finale against the Pirates.

Drury is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Drury has found himself sitting regularly since Ketel Marte's promotion from Triple-A -- Saturday marks his seventh absence already since the All-Star break. The 24-year-old has been a net positive in the field, but he's disappointed at the dish with a .278/.328/.441 slash line 338 plate appearances this season.

Albies went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored for Triple-A Gwinnett in Thursday's extra-inning win over Lehigh Valley.

He's turned his season around in July, slashing .303/.336/.475 in 23 games, although he only has two steals in two attempts over that stretch. Dansby Swanson's demotion would seem to open up a spot in the Atlanta infield for Albies, but the club will keep the 20-year-old at Triple-A for now while the coaching staff takes a look at Johan Camargo. Albies and Swanson still project to be the club's double-play duo of the future, and that future could arrive as soon as this season depending on what moves the front office makes at the trade deadline.

Marte went 1-for-4 with a strikeout in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Cardinals.

Marte was making his fourth start in the last six games while Brandon Drury was on the bench for the fourth time during that span, suggesting that there may be a changing of the guard in the Diamondbacks infield. Drury has the superior offensive track record of the two players at the big-league level, but he's been in a tailspin at the dish since the beginning of June and doesn't offer as much defensive value as Marte, who has been playing shortstop lately. That has allowed Chris Owings to move over to the keystone, where he's less of a liability. With a .263/.307/.356 career line in the majors, Marte is unlikely to develop into a high-end fantasy asset while he's seeing regular at-bats, but he's shown some burgeoning pop this season and offers an impact as a base stealer. Those attributes, along with the shallow pool of talent at shortstop relative to other positions, might be enough for Marte to carry some value in NL-only or deeper mixed leagues.

Solarte (oblique) may play some innings at shortstop while on his rehab assignment, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

The Padres announced that Solarte will start a rehab stint with Triple-A El Paso on Thursday, and although he's playing second base in his first game with the Chihuahuas, there is speculation that he'll move over to shortstop for a few games afterward. It's unclear if he'll get much time at shortstop when he returns to the big leagues, although it would allow the Padres to keep young second baseman Carlos Asuaje in the lineup more frequently. More information should come forth once Solarte is back in the majors, though.

Drury takes a seat for Thursday's series opener against the Cardinals.

This marks the fifth time in the last eight games that Drury will retreat to the bench. He's had a good year to date, hitting .277/.328/.442 with eight home runs and 43 RBI, but has stagnated as of late while others such as Daniel Descalso and Ketel Marte are getting into grooves offensively. For Thursday's game, Chris Owings slides over to man the keystone while Marte draws the start at short.

Solarte (oblique) was able to hit right-handed Wednesday and is approaching a rehab assignment, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Solarte has been out with the oblique issue since June 21, as it has obstructed his ability to both swing from the right side and play the field. He was able to connect with some real power in batting practice according to observers, a good sign that he's getting healthy and could make a return sometime in early August.

Marte doubled, homered and walked in a 2-for-4 effort against the Braves on Wednesday, driving in two runs and scoring two.

He came into this game hitting a brutal .196/.255/.370 with only a single multi-hit effort, which came more than three weeks ago, so this was a badly needed breakout performance for the 23-year-old infielder. However, we'll need to see more before he can be recommended even in NL-only formats, as Marte is stuck in a utility role.

Drury is not in Wednesday's lineup for the series finale against the Pirates.

He heads to the bench for the fourth time in the last seven games, as the D-Backs continue to search for ways to keep Daniel Descalso in the lineup. Drury will need to show more consistency from the plate if he is to keep an everyday role with the team moving forward.

Dubon, 23, is hitting .280/.306/.421 with two home runs, 16 RBI and three steals in 24 games since being promoted to Triple-A.

Dubon is currently blocked by Orlando Arcia, but his speed and ability to handle the bat makes him an intriguing infield prospect for the Brewers. Dubon stole 31 bases in 71 games at Double-A prior to the promotion, and has not hit below .274 at any level of full-season ball during his time in the minors.