MLB Player News

Gonzales went 2-for-4 with a double and his seventh homer Wednesday for High-A Greensboro.

After enduring a 5-for-57 stretch, Gonzales has collected 24 hits in his last 65 at-bats. The second baseman has some pronounced splits thus far: he's slashing .300/.364/.620 with seven homers at home and .232/.315/.280 with no home runs on the road. After compiling an 89:79 BB:K in college, Gonzales has put up a 17:61 BB:K, something to watch as he moves through the professional ranks. Still, if he continues to hit at Greensboro then it wouldn't be surprising to see the 22-year-old promoted to Double-A prior to season's end.

Garcia went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs in Wednesday's 9-5 loss to the Phillies.

The 21-year-old took Chase Anderson deep in the second inning before turning around a Matt Moore offering in the seventh. Garcia showed signs of emerging as a power threat at Triple-A this season, launching 13 homers in 37 games, and he's carried that forward into his latest stint in the majors, going yard three times in the last six games. He's still a work in progress at the plate, but Garcia's development will be key for the Nats' offense as the team rebuilds around Juan Soto.

Rojas (finger) had four at-bats against Luke Weaver (shoulder) during a live batting practice session Wednesday.

Rojas, who has been sidelined since dislocating his left pinky while attempting to steal second base July 21, is targeting a return for this weekend. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo has not commented on a projected timeline other than wanting to see Rojas get at-bats in the minor leagues. In Rojas' absence, Josh VanMeter has held down second base for Arizona.

Merrifield went 3-for-5 with two runs, an RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's 9-1 victory over the White Sox.

As usual, the second baseman served as an offensive catalyst from the top of the order, scoring the game's first run after singling and swiping a bag in the first inning. He leads MLB with 28 thefts on the season, with three of his steals coming in his past five games. Merrifield has collected at least one hit in 13 of his past 14 contests.

Mayfield went 3-for-3 with a solo home run and a double Wednesday against the Rangers.

Mayfield tallied his first multi-hit effort since July 17, a span of 15 games. However, he homered in his second consecutive contest and now has six round trippers on the season. Even so, Mayfield has just a .214/.245/.449 line across 104 plate appearances to this point in the campaign. With Anthony Rendon (hip) sidelined for the season, Mayfield should see plenty of playing time going forward.

Arraez went 3-for-3 with a double, two walks and a run in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Reds.

The 24-year-old lacks the power of a typical cleanup hitter, but he shined in that role nonetheless, raising his average to .310 with the trio of hits. In his last 12 games, Arraez has hit .405 with four doubles, four walks and four RBI while striking out just three times. The return of Josh Donaldson (hamstring) figures to push Arraez out of third base, but the latter's bat has been formidable enough to stay in the lineup one way or another.

Polanco went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and another run scored in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Reds.

The infielder went deep for the third consecutive game and now sits at 18 home runs on the season. Polanco has been on a tear since the All-Star break, hitting .366 with five homers and 12 RBI in 17 games and raising his 2021 OPS to .811. After an underwhelming 2020, the 28-year-old is nearly matching the production from his stellar 2019 campaign.

Clement isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.

Clement went just 1-for-9 across the last three games, and he'll get a chance to reset Wednesday. Owen Miller will start at the keystone and bat eighth.

Espinal isn't in the lineup Wednesday against Cleveland.

Espinal recently drew six consecutive starts, but he'll be out of the lineup for a second straight contest after he went 1-for-9 with a home run, two RBI, two walks and a strikeout in his last three appearances. Breyvic Valera will start at the hot corner and bat eighth.

The Red Sox optioned Arauz to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Arauz was sent out to clear a roster spot for closer Matt Barnes (illness), who was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list. During his five-day stint with the big club, Arauz appeared in three games and went 2-for-6 with a walk.