MLB Player News

Hayes will sit for the third straight game Saturday against the Cubs.

Hayes doesn't seem to be dealing with an injury, but it's unusual to see him stuck on the bench. He hasn't been completely shut down, as he appeared off the bench in Thursday's series opener. Perhaps the Pirates simply wanted to avoid overtaxing the 25-year-old at the end of an uncompetitive season. Rodolfo Castro will get the start at third base.

Groshans isn't starting Saturday against the Nationals, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Groshans started the last four games and went 3-for-14 with a run, an RBI, a walk and a strikeout. Jon Berti will take over at the hot corner and lead off Saturday.

Longoria went 3-for-5 with an RBI in Friday's 6-5 win over the Diamondbacks.

Longoria continues to remain in a short-side platoon role. His multi-hit effort Friday was his second in September, and he's hit just .185 with three doubles and six RBI this month. For the season, the slump has him down to a .241/.314/.435 slash line with 12 home runs, 34 RBI, 29 runs scored and 13 doubles through 283 plate appearances.

Newman went 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a stolen base Friday against the Cubs.

Newman started at shortstop and hit fifth, with Oneil Cruz serving as the Pirates' designated hitter. Newman is riding a seven-game hitting streak, during which he's gone 8-for-27 with a home run, three RBI, two runs scored and three stolen bases. For the season, he owns a .274/.312/.376 line across 281 plate appearances.

Wisdom went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer, a walk and two runs scored in Friday's 6-5 win over the Pirates.

Widom knocked his 24th home run of the year in the second inning against Bryse Wilson. The 31-year-old has two homers in his last three games after hitting just two in his previous 22 appearances. He improved his season slash line to .211/.304/.434 with 49 extra-base hits and 64 RBI through 125 games.

Escobar went 1-for-5 with a grand slam and an additional run in a 9-2 win against the Athletics on Friday.

Escobar connected on a two-out grand slam in the fifth inning off Oakland starter Cole Irvin and later tacked on New York's final run in the seventh. The long ball is the seventh of September for the 33-year-old who continues to rake with a .329/.388/.671 slash line, 15 runs and 17 RBI in 21 games this month.

Peterson isn't in the lineup Friday against the Reds.

Peterson has gone 0-for-11 with a run, a walk and three strikeouts over the last four games and will get a breather Friday. Luis Urias is starting at the hot corner and batting seventh.

Hayes isn't starting Friday against the Cubs.

Hayes didn't start Thursday against the Cubs either, but he came in as a pinch hitter and got hit by a pitch before stealing a base. Rodolfo Castro will slide over to the hot corner for Hayes and Ji-hwan Bae will start at second base, batting ninth.

McMahon isn't starting Friday against the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

McMahon will get a day off after going 4-for-17 in Colorado's last series against the Giants. He's assumed a larger role at second base ever since Brendan Rodgers went down with a hamstring injury, allowing Elehuris Montero to receive more action at third base. While McMahon sits, Alan Trejo will start at second base, batting seventh.

Vargas isn't starting Friday against the Marlins.

Vargas has gone just 3-for-19 in his last five starts, so he will get a day off. Cesar Hernandez will take over for him at the hot corner and bat second.