MLB Player News
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Santiago Espinal 3B | CIN
Reds' Santiago Espinal: Playing time trending upward
Espinal will start at third base and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Pirates.
Espinal will occupy third base for the fifth time in six games, with three of those starts coming against right-handers. For the second time during that stretch, Espinal will take aim at Pirates lefty Bailey Falter, who takes the hill for the Pirates on Monday. Espinal will carry a five-game hitting streak into Monday's contest, and he could end up handling a near-everyday role in the Cincinnati infield until the team elects to reinstate Noelvi Marte (suspension) to the big-league roster. Marte's 80-game suspension comes to an end Thursday, but he's struggled during his rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville and could be optioned if the Reds prefer to hand Espinal regular playing time.
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Joseph Ortiz 3B | MIL
Brewers' Joey Ortiz: Taking seat Monday
Ortiz is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Rangers.
Ortiz had started each of the previous 10 contests but will begin this one on the bench. Andruw Monasterio will cover third base while Ortiz gets some rest.
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Nolan Arenado 3B | STL
Cardinals' Nolan Arenado: Expected back soon
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that he's optimistic Arenado (forearm) will be ready to return to the lineup in the coming days, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Arenado will miss a second straight start Monday against Atlanta with a left forearm issue, which is evidently something that's bothered the third baseman off and on throughout the season. However, he's feeling better following an injection and was working out on the field pregame Monday. Brandon Crawford will get a second straight start at the hot corner in Arenado's place.
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Nolan Arenado 3B | STL
Cardinals' Nolan Arenado: Remains out Monday
Arenado (forearm) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against Atlanta.
Arenado will miss a second straight start after he exited Saturday's 9-4 win over the Giants with left forearm discomfort. He received an injection to help combat the pain and is considered day-to-day. Brandon Crawford will make another start at third base Monday in Arenado's stead.
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Mark Vientos 3B | NYM
Mets' Mark Vientos: Lifts seventh homer
Vientos went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Cubs.
Vientos has two homers over his last four contests after going deep in the eighth inning Sunday. The third baseman is up to seven long balls, 18 RBI, 19 runs scored, six doubles and no stolen bases while slashing .289/.344/.526 over 125 plate appearances. Vientos has been operating in a starting role at the hot corner since Brett Baty was demoted to Triple-A Syracuse at the end of May.
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Joseph Ortiz 3B | MIL
Brewers' Joey Ortiz: Notches fifth steal
Ortiz went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Padres.
Ortiz logged his second multi-hit effort in a row after going 11 contests without one. The infielder has maintained a strong .278/.383/.449 slash line with six home runs, five steals, 27 RBI, 31 runs scored, 13 doubles and two triples over 244 plate appearances this season. While the overall numbers are good, he has just three extra-base hits across 20 games in June.
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Christopher Morel 2B | TB
Cubs' Christopher Morel: Provides offense Sunday
Morel went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Mets.
Morel provided all of Chicago's offense with his 15th home run of the season in the seventh inning. The 24-year-old has hit 15 or more homers in each of his three MLB seasons to date, including a career high 26 long balls last year in 107 games. Assuming he stays healthy, Morel could surpass that figure in 2024 as the team is still a few games shy of the season's midpoint.
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Noelvi Marte 3B | CIN
Reds' Noelvi Marte: Struggling on rehab assignment
The Reds haven't yet committed to activating Marte (suspension) when he's first eligible to return to the big club June 27, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Reds manager David Bell professes not to be paying attention to Marte's numbers during his rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville as he continues the ramp-up process. Through the first 10 games of his assignment, Marte is hitting .156/.156/.178 with no walks and 13 strikeouts. If Marte can get back up to speed, the Reds could really use him both offensively and defensively at third base.
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Nolan Arenado 3B | STL
Cardinals' Nolan Arenado: Not starting Sunday
Arenado (forearm) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Giants.
Arenado exited early in Saturday's 9-4 win due to discomfort in his left forearm. According to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat, Arenado received an injection to alleviate the pain, and the Cardinals still waiting to see how the veteran third baseman responds to the shot before determining his availability for their upcoming three-game set with Atlanta that begins Monday. Brandon Crawford will pick up a start at the hot corner Sunday and bat eighth while Arenado rests.
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Ryan McMahon 3B | COL
Rockies' Ryan McMahon: Another multi-hit performance
McMahon went 3-for-4 with a solo homer, two RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's win over the Nationals while also drawing a walk.
McMahon continued his offensive surge Saturday, tallying hits in each of his first two trips to the plate before adding a solo home run in the eighth to bring Colorado back within one run of the Nationals. It marked the third baseman's seventh multi-hit performance in his last 10 games, and he's now homered in two of his last three. Over the former stretch he's batting .476 (17-for-42) with four homers, eight RBI and 11 runs scored.