MLB Player News

Stott isn't starting Friday against Pittsburgh.

Stott started the first seven games after the All-Star break and slashed .250/.357/.458 with a homer, two doubles, five RBI and four runs. Yairo Munoz is starting at the keystone and batting seventh.

Donovan is not in the lineup for Friday's game at Washington, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Donovan started the past eight games across five different positions, and he'll take a seat after posting a .261/.438/.261 slash line during that stretch. Albert Pujols will serve as the designated hitter while Lars Nootbaar starts in right field.

Gimenez went 0-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch and a stolen base in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Red Sox.

Gimenez was plunked in the fourth inning and quickly took another base with his first steal since July 12. After posting three straight multi-hit efforts coming out of the All-Star break, the second baseman has cooled off, going 2-for-14 in his last five contests. He's still maintained an excellent .296/.360/.479 slash line with 11 home runs, eight steals, 45 RBI, 36 runs scored, 14 doubles and two triples through 87 contests. If he can't get out of his slump soon, he may receive a day off to reset.

Estrada went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Cubs.

Estrada notched his second steal in as many days and his 15th in 17 attempts this year in the eighth inning. The infielder has produced six multi-hit efforts in his last 16 contests, going 18-for-57 (.316) in that span as one of the Giants' most consistent hitters. He's slashing .265/.317/.412 with nine home runs, 41 RBI, 49 runs scored, 16 doubles and a triple through 88 games this year.

Rengifo went 3-for-4 with a triple and a double in Thursday's 2-0 loss to the Rangers.

Rengifo accounted for over half of the Angels' five hits in a rather meager performance for the team. He was a home run shy of a cycle, though he got the single in the ninth inning and never had a realistic chance at the feat. Through 244 plate appearances, the infielder is slashing .272/.317/.412 with five home runs, 18 RBI, 20 runs scored, three stolen bases, three triples and 11 doubles. This was a good bounce-back performance after his nine-game hitting streak ended Wednesday.

Rodgers went 4-for-4 in Thursday's 13-0 loss to the Dodgers.

Rodgers accounted for over half of the Rockies' seven hits in the contest. This was his second four-hit effort of the season, and his sixth multi-hit game in his last 10. The infielder is up to a .273/.324/.425 slash line with nine home runs, 49 RBI, 46 runs scored, 22 doubles and two triples through 380 plate appearances. He continues to hold down a starting role at second base.

Lux went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 13-0 win over the Rockies.

Lux has found his swing again, posting multiple hits in four of the last five games. He contributed an RBI single and a run during the Dodgers' five-run fourth inning. The 24-year-old is hitting .307 -- the highest his average has been since April 17 -- with an .817 OPS, four home runs, 29 RBI, 49 runs scored, five stolen bases and 15 doubles through 90 contests. He should continue to see a near-everyday role at second base or in left field, especially considering how well he's done at the plate lately.

Bae was placed on the 7-day minor-league injured list due to an oblique issue Thursday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Bae was pushing for a promotion to the big leagues while maintaining a .300/.367/.453 line across 358 plate appearances with Triple-A Indianapolis. The injury is unlucky timing and no timetable has been given for his return. Assuming he's not sidelined for too long, Bae could still make his way to Pittsburgh by the close of the season.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Thursday that Gonzales (heel) is expected to return to "game-like action" in the next week or so, Mike Persak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The Pirates will likely start Gonzales out with playing in simulated games at extended spring training in Florida before having him participate in rehab games at one of their lower-level affiliates. The 23-year-old second baseman has been sidelined for nearly two months with plantar fasciitis in his right heel.

Stefanic was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Stefanic started off strong after making his big-league debut in early July with a .944 OPS in his first seven games, but the honeymoon ended quickly as he went hitless in his past nine contests. David Fletcher (hip) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move and will reclaim a starting role for the Angels. Stefanic could receive another chance with the Halos later in the year, but for now he'll attempt to straighten things out in the minors.