MLB Player News

Candelario went 2-for-3 with two walks, a solo home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 7-4 win over Miami.

Candelario hit the second of two first-inning solo homers, as the Reds jumped out to an early 7-0 lead through three innings and cruised from there. The home run was the 15th this season for Candelario, who extended an on-base streak to 12 contests.

The Brewers optioned Capra to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

The move makes room on the 26-man roster for Joey Ortiz (neck), who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list. Capra started in two of three games for the Brewers after being called up from Nashville on July 3, going 1-for-9 with one run and three strikeouts.

The Brewers reinstated Ortiz (neck) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Neck inflammation has plagued Ortiz since late June, though he didn't land on the injured list until July 3. He went 0-for-2 with a walk during his lone rehab game with High-A Wisconsin on Thursday and will now reclaim his role as Milwaukee's everyday third baseman. Vinny Capra was optioned to Triple-A Nashville in a corresponding move.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Muncy (oblique) is still not swinging a bat and is unlikely to return to the team until at least August, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Muncy has been on the injured list since May 17 due to a right oblique strain. He began ramping up his rehab program in late June by taking swings off a tee and fielding groundballs, but he was shut down from swinging a bat last week. Prior to his injury, Muncy was slashing .223/.323/.475 with nine home runs and 28 RBI over 167 plate appearances. The Dodgers will continue to rotate Chris Taylor, Enrique Hernandez and Cavan Biggio at the hot corner while Muncy remains sidelined, though the team could attempt to acquire a full-time option at the trade deadline.

Suarez went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Thursday's 1-0 win over Atlanta.

Suarez provided the game's only offense with a solo shot in the fifth inning. It was the second consecutive game with a home run for Suarez, who's hit three over the last five games and is 15-for-49 (.306) with eight extra-base hits and 13 RBI over the last 15 contests. It might be a good time to buy low on the third baseman; Suarez's first three months (.591 OPS) have been well below his career norm (.756).

Espinal went 2-for-4 with a double and a solo home run in Thursday's 8-1 win over Colorado.

Espinal got the start at shortstop, giving Elly De La Cruz a breather, and belted his fourth home run of the season. It was his third straight start after he filled in at second base for Jonathan India, who battled knee soreness the previous two games. Espinal has hit safely in four straight, going 6-for-12 and bumping his average to .203 for the season.

Chapman went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 10-6 loss to the Blue Jays.

Chapman hit one of two homers for the Giants in the ninth inning, but it was too late to generate a comeback. The third baseman has gone deep five times and added 13 RBI over his last 15 contests, a span in which he's batting .298 (17-for-57). For the year, he's up to 13 long balls, 43 RBI, 60 runs scored, 24 doubles, eight stolen bases and a .231/.322/.423 slash line through 90 games.

Espinal will start at shortstop and bat eighth in Thursday's game against the Rockies.

Espinal will be rewarded with a third consecutive start after he went 3-for-7 with a walk, two runs and two RBI between the previous two contests. Both of Espinal's last two starts were at second base in place of Jonathan India, who battled knee soreness. The 29-year-old Espinal still appears have a role as a short-side platoon player and occasional fill-in rather than a regular in the Reds lineup.

Suarez went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, three RBI and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 7-5 win over Atlanta.

Suarez launched a no-doubt, two-run home run to left field in the second inning to tie the game. He later delivered a run with a seventh-inning double. It's a small sample size, but Suarez may be emerging from a season-long slump. He was batting .192 with a .584 OPS as recently as June 23, but the third baseman has posted a .298 average and .942 OPS in the 14 games since, including two home runs and nine RBI over the last four contests.

Arenado went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a 6-4 loss to the Royals in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Arenado opened the scoring in the matinee contest with a second-inning solo shot. The third baseman wasn't as productive in the nightcap, going 0-for-4 to keep his season-long batting average steady at .266. He's added a .697 OPS, eight homers, 38 RBI, 33 runs scored, 14 doubles and one stolen base through 363 plate appearances this season. Arenado is batting .297 (11-for-37) in July, perhaps signaling a turnaround in the second half.