MLB Player News

Miller went 2-for-5 with a three-RBI double and a run scored in Wednesday's 8-6 loss to Toronto.

The infielder's bases-clearing double in the eighth inning finally got Cleveland on the board, and he came around to score on a Bradley Zimmer sacrifice fly. With Cesar Hernandez traded to the White Sox, Miller figures to split time with Ernie Clement at second base going forward. Miller has a lackluster .209 on-base percentage through 67 plate appearances.

Hernandez's contract was selected by the Rangers on Thursday.

Hernandez progressed to Triple-A Round Rock to begin the 2021 campaign, and he recorded a .422 on-base percentage with a homer, 43 runs, 13 RBI and 22 stolen bases across 61 games. The 23-year-old will serve in a utility role after Eli White (elbow) was placed on the 10-day injured list. Hernandez will start at third base and bat ninth in his major-league debut Thursday. During his time in the big leagues, he figures to be one of the team's top options to serve as a pinch runner.

Jackson is out indefinitely with a significant upper quad strain, Kyle Glaser of Baseball America reports.

He last played for Low-A Inland Empire on June 24, and it's possible he won't return this season. Jackson is not advanced enough to be assigned to the Arizona Fall League, but he could play in fall instructs. Prior to suffering the injury, the 21-year-old infielder was up to his old tricks, hitting for significant power (.262 ISO) while striking out too much (34.5 percent strikeout rate).

McNeil is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins.

He has heated up at the plate recently, hitting .361 with two home runs, six doubles and eight RBI in his last 10 games. Jonathan Villar gets the start at second base and bats leadoff in what's a normal day of rest for McNeil, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.

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.