MLB Player News

Farmer was scratched from the lineup for Monday's game against the Mets due neck stiffness, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Farmer was originally slated to play third base and hit fifth Monday, but he will be unable to go due to a sore neck. Mike Moustakas will man the hot corner in Farmer's place, and Donovan Solano will serve as the Reds' designated hitter.

Madrigal will start at second base and bat eighth in Monday's game against the Nationals.

With David Bote having been optioned to Triple-A Iowa, Christopher Morel having been deployed in more of a utility role of late and with Zach McKinstry getting off to an 0-for-14 start to his Cubs career, Madrigal has gained traction as the team's primary option of second base since coming off the injured list last Tuesday. He'll pick up his fourth start in five games Monday.

Vargas isn't in the lineup Monday against the Cubs.

Vargas started the last three games and went 2-for-9 with a double, an RBI and a walk. Maikel Franco will take his place at the hot corner and bat ninth.

The Mets promoted Baty from Double-A Binghamton to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

In Syracuse, Baty will be joining two of the organization's other top position prospects in catcher Francisco Alvarez and outfielder Mark Vientos. The 22-year-old Baty earned the call to Triple-A after slashing .312/.406/.544 with 41 extra-base hits and an 11.9 percent walk rate across 394 plate appearances at Binghamton.

Arenado went 3-for-5 with one double, one homer, four RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's 12-9 victory over the Yankees.

The All-Star third baseman stayed hot at the dish Sunday with seven total bases and six combined runs and RBI. In the process, he extended his hitting streak to six games to start the month of August. Arenado is now third among third basemen in RBI and home runs and has his average over .300 for the first time since May.

Maton went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, four RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's 13-1 win over the Nationals.

Maton got his big day started with a two-run shot in the fourth inning followed by RBI hits in the seventh and eighth frames. The 25-year-old has made the most out of his limited MLB action this season, going 6-for-10 with four extra-base hits and eight RBI. Expect him to carve out some more playing time if he continues swinging a hot bat.

Hayes went 1-for-5 with a two-run homer, a walk and a strikeout during Sunday's 8-1 win over the Orioles.

Hayes had a lackluster performance at the plate but has now recorded hits in five consecutive games. During that time, he's hit .286 with a home run, a double, five RBI and a stolen base. In spite of his struggles in late July, the 25-year-old has continued to have an everyday role for the Pirates.

Rivera went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, an additional run scored and a walk in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Rockies.

Rivera put Arizona on the comeback trail with his sixth-inning solo shot. It was his first homer and second hit in three games since he was traded from the Royals last Monday. The righty-hitting third baseman has started twice in the team's last five contests, though the Diamondbacks have yet to face a southpaw since he joined them. Rivera owns a .238/.290/.413 slash line with seven homers, 23 RBI, 28 runs scored, nine doubles and three triples through 221 plate appearances this year. The versatility of regular third baseman Josh Rojas could afford Rivera slightly more than just a short-side platoon role.

Longoria (hamstring) is expected to be reinstated from the 10-day injured list Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Longoria has been sidelined by the hamstring strain since July 23, and he's set to return Monday without the need of a minor-league rehab assignment. The 36-year-old has a.243/.331/.459 slash line with nine home runs and 19 RBI in 49 games this season, and he figures to receive regular days off given his recent injury issues, especially after the acquisition of J.D. Davis at the trade deadline.

Davis went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Saturday's 7-3 win over the Athletics.

Tommy La Stella started at third base Saturday, but Davis entered as a pinch hitter and clobbered a solo shot to center field. This was Davis' second homer in three games with the Giants after he hit just four in 66 contests with the Mets to begin the year. The 29-year-old is up to a .241/.323/.387 slash line with 24 RBI, 28 runs scored and a stolen base, but it appears he's settling in nicely to a part-time role with his new team.