MLB Player News

Ramirez is hitting .300 with three home runs, three steals and a 13.6 percent strikeout rate in 10 games for Triple-A Iowa.

The athletic switch hitter has always made contact at a strong clip and has typically been better than league average while being a little young for his levels, but this is a notable power breakout in the early going. Ramirez hit eight home runs in 129 games last year while logging a 49 percent groundball rate, and while he's hitting for more power this year, his 51.5 percent groundball rate is still too high. The versatile infielder has split time between third base (six starts) and second base (three starts).

Freeman (back) will start at designated hitter and will bat second in Wednesday's game against the Astros.

Freeman experienced lower-back tightness leading up to Sunday's 4-1 win over the Phillies, resulting in him being scratched from the lineup. He went unused off the bench in the first two games of the Rockies' series versus Houston, but after healing up from the back issue, Freeman will take back a spot in the starting nine in a non-defensive role. Now healthy, Freeman is likely to serve as a short-side platoon player for Colorado and will be an option at multiple infield and outfield spots.

Bohm (groin) will start at third base and bat cleanup in Wednesday's game versus the Giants.

Bohm was held out of action Tuesday due to some minor groin tightness, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go in Wednesday's series finale after one day of rest. The 29-year-old sports a .205/.295/.308 batting line with one home run and a 4:5 BB:K across his first 44 plate appearances this season.

Mead went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and a stolen base in Tuesday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Cardinals.

Getting the start at first base and batting second, Mead took left-hander Matthew Liberatore deep for a solo shot in the fifth inning, giving the Nationals a 5-2 lead that the bullpen would eventually squander. The 25-year-old has mainly been used as a short-side platoon partner for Luis Garcia since arriving in Washington, and he's finding a groove in that role -- over the last four games he's gone 5-for-11 with two doubles, a homer and three RBI. If Mead keeps producing, he could begin to see more work at DH and against right-handed pitching.

Machado is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Pittsburgh.

Machado will receive his first day off of the season after slashing .206/.400/.353 with one home run and an 11:11 BB:K over his first 45 plate appearances. The Padres will roll with Miguel Andujar at third base in Wednesday's rubber match.

Rumfield went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored Tuesday against the Astros.

Rumfield has started 10 of Colorado's 11 games this season and has had strong stretches of production. Tuesday's performance extended his hitting streak to three games, his second such streak this season. Rumfield has also chipped in seven RBI and six runs scored while going yard twice.

Arenado went 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI in Tuesday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Mets.

Arenado's two-out singled in the fifth inning scored a go-ahead run, but Arizona couldn't maintain the lead. It was the second straight game with an RBI for Arenado, who raised his season average to .229 to along with one double and two RBI over 35 at-bats.

Vargas started at first base and went 1-for-5 in Tuesday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Mets.

Vargas got the first crack at first base after the Diamondbacks placed Carlos Santana (adductor) on the 10-day injured list Tuesday. Arizona called up Luken Baker to replace Santana, adding another body to a rotation of players that could see time with both Santana and Pavin Smith (elbow) sidelined. in addition to Vargas and Baker, the Diamondbacks could deploy Jose Fernandez and Tim Tawa at first base.

Bregman went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored in Tuesday's 9-2 win over the Rays.

Bregman snapped an 0-for-12 slump across his last three games with his first three-hit effort in a Cubs uniform. The veteran third baseman has yet to really get going for his new team, as he's batting just .200 with two home runs, three RBI and three runs scored through 11 games. Bregman's MLB track record suggests he'll heat up at the plate, and fantasy managers should remain patient, as he's in no real danger of losing playing time.

Manager Rob Thomson said Bohm reported groin tightness following Monday's win over the Giants, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The Phillies will hold Bohm out of the lineup Tuesday to give him a day to recover, but Thomson said he expects the 29-year-old to be ready to return to action Wednesday. Edmundo Sosa will start at third base and bat fifth while Bohm rests.