MLB Player News

Lipscomb is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Giants.

The righty-hitting Lipscomb had already been excluded from the starting nine in four of the Nationals' last six matchups with right-handed pitchers, but he'll now find himself on the bench Thursday against a lefty (Kyle Harrison). Lipscomb already seems to have lost hold of a regular role at third base to Ildemaro Vargas, and a demotion to the minors could be imminent for the 24-year-old Lipscomb, who is slashing just .152/.211/.182 since he was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on July 6.

Chapman went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and two RBI in Wednesday's 7-4 win over the Nationals.

The veteran third baseman connected on his 19th homer of the year when he launched a solo shot off Jake Irvin in the fifth inning. Chapman has found a groove since the All-Star break, and over his last 14 games he's slashing .377/.459/.811 with five doubles, six long balls, 13 runs and 13 RBI.

Burger went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Reds.

Both blasts came off Andrew Abbott, as Burger took the southpaw deep in the first and fifth innings. The 28-year-old has found his power stroke since the All-Star break, slashing .296/.362/.718 over the last 19 games with nine of his 17 homers on the season, but the patchwork lineup around him hasn't given him many opportunities to drive in runs with them -- Burger has only 14 RBI to show for those nine long balls.

Riley went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, an RBI double, a walk and two total runs scored in Wednesday's 8-5 loss to Milwaukee.

Riley has gone 15-for-40 (.375) with three homers and 10 RBI over his last 10 games. He twice gave Atlanta the lead Wednesday, but Milwaukee was able to offer a response each time. For the season, Riley is up to a .264/.331/.467 slash line with 16 homers, 50 RBI, 56 runs scored, 25 doubles and no stolen bases over 99 games.

Ortiz went 3-for-4 with two doubles, one walk, two RBI and one run scored in Wednesday's 8-5 win over Atlanta.

This was Ortiz's second multi-hit effort in a row after he went a mere 7-for-50 (.140) over his first 14 games of the second half. The infielder also logged multiple RBI in a game for the first time since June 15. Despite his struggles at the plate, Ortiz has maintained steady playing time at third base. He's now at a .253/.353/.404 slash line with seven home runs, six stolen bases, 35 RBI, 39 runs scored, 16 doubles and three triples over 93 contests this year.

Muncy (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Oklahoma City over the weekend, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Muncy will spend at least a week in Triple-A before returning to the Dodgers, putting his earliest possible return date sometime in mid-August. The slugging third baseman has been on the injured list since May 17 with a right oblique strain and only recently began making strides in his recovery after a chiropractor visit last week.

Vientos isn't in the Mets' lineup Wednesday against the Rockies.

Vientos will get a chance to regroup Wednesday after going 0-for-8 with two strikeouts over his last two games. In his place, Jose Iglesias will start at third base and bat sixth.

Vargas will start at second base and bat fifth in Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Though he'll be filling in for a resting Luis Garcia on Wednesday, the switch-hitting Vargas may be in store for at least semi-regular playing time at third base against right-handed pitching in place of Trey Lipscomb, who has produced a .393 OPS since rejoining the big club in early July. Vargas had started over Lipscomb in both of the first two contests of the series, but the Nationals will have room for both players in the infield Wednesday while Garcia rests.

Wade went 2-for-3 with two runs, an RBI and a stolen base in Tuesday's 6-0 win against Pittsburgh.

Wade was a semi-regular presence in the Padres' lineup at third base for a portion of April while Manny Machado was limited to DH duties, but since the latter returned to the field, Wade has played sporadically. Tuesday marked his first start of the second half, and he did well with the opportunity, registering his first multi-hit game since May 22. Wade has given San Diego speed off the bench with eight steals in nine tries this season, but he's otherwise been a non-factor in fantasy with a .245/.322/.264 slash line, no homers, 21 runs and eight RBI over 121 plate appearances.

Solano went 4-for-5 with four RBI in Tuesday's 6-0 win over the Pirates.

The four hits and four RBI are both new season highs for Solano, who's batting .400 (22-for-55) over his last 16 games. The veteran infielder is unlikely to overtake Jake Cronenworth, Luis Arraez, Xander Bogaerts or Manny Machado for a starting role, though he's proven to be a useful piece off the bench and against left-handed pitching. Overall, Solano's slashing .314/.366/.427 with four homers, 25 RBI, 21 runs scored and a stolen base through 202 plate appearances this season.