MLB Player News

McMahon went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk in Friday's 4-3 loss against the Phillies.

McMahon smoked a three-run homer off Aaron Nola in the first, marking his fourth long ball of the year, but that was the only offense Colorado could muster against Philadelphia. Through 21 games (81 plate appearances), the third baseman is slashing .250/.321/.500 with 12 RBI, but he's also struck out 27 times.

Wisdom went 2-for-5 with a double, a three-run home run and a second run scored in Friday's 13-0 rout of the Dodgers.

He crushed a Jake Reed offering to left field in the fifth inning, kicking off a seven-run frame for the Cubs. The homer was Wisdom's sixth in the last eight games and his ninth of the season, moving him one behind Pete Alonso for the major-league lead. Wisdom also has 18 RBI through 18 contests.

Sosa (back) is starting at third base and batting ninth Friday against the Rockies.

Sosa missed five straight games due to a lower back injury, but he managed to avoid the IL and returns Friday with a shiny .344/.353/.625 slash line in 34 plate appearances on the year. He should see regular action at the hot corner with Alec Bohm needed at first base.

Madrigal is starting at third base and batting ninth for the Cubs in Friday's game versus the Dodgers.

The Cubs are going with a right-handed heavy lineup against southpaw Julio Urias. Madrigal is off to a solid start at the plate this season as he sees the occasional start at third and second base, sporting a .323/.364/.387 slash line.

Escobar went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Thursday's win over the Giants.

He took southpaw Sean Manaea deep for his second long ball of the year as part of a five-run fourth inning for the Mets that put the game out of reach. Escobar is stuck on the short side of a platoon right now while New York gives prospect Brett Baty a long look at the hot corner, but the veteran could yet win back the starting job at third base if he gets going at the plate and the rookie struggles. Over his last four games, Escobar's gone 4-for-16 with a double and a homer, and Thursday's multi-hit performance was his first of the season.

Muncy went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, a stolen base and two walks in Thursday's 6-2 victory versus the Cubs.

Muncy gave the Dodgers an early lead with a second-inning solo shot to right-center field. The slugger got off to a slow start this season, slashing .121/.293/.212 with 16 strikeouts through his first nine contests. However, he's turned a corner since then, going 11-for-28 (.393) with seven long balls, 14 RBI and a 10:8 K:BB across his subsequent 10 games. The hot stretch has pushed Muncy's homer total to nine on the season, tied for second-most in MLB.

Baty isn't starting Thursday against the Giants.

Baty will take a seat Thursday with left-hander Sean Manaea set to start the game for San Francisco. Eduardo Escobar will man the hot corner for the Mets and bat seventh.

McMahon is making a third straight start at third base Thursday against the Phillies.

Colorado seems underwhelmed by the early defensive play of Elehuris Montero, who is serving as the designated hitter Thursday. McMahon could continue to get more looks at his old position, with Alan Trejo benefitting from an uptick in starts at second base.

Sosa (back) remains out of the lineup Thursday versus the Rockies.

It's the fifth straight absence for Sosa, who tweaked his lower back last weekend. He was scheduled to visit with a specialist Wednesday in Chicago. Josh Harrison is playing third base and batting ninth Thursday against Colorado, with Alec Bohm covering first base and hitting seventh.

De La Cruz (hamstring) was activated from the minor-league injured list by Triple-A Louisville on Thursday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

De La Cruz is getting off to a delayed start this season after suffering a left hamstring strain toward the end of spring training, but the dynamic 21-year-old infield prospect can now continue his rapid ascent through the Reds' minor-league system. He was assigned to Triple-A out of camp after slashing .304/.359/.586 with 28 home runs, 86 RBI, 47 stolen bases and 87 runs scored in 121 games last season between High-A Dayton and Double-A Chattanooga. A five-tool talent, De La Cruz could reach the majors at some point in 2023.