MLB Player News

Duffy (Achilles) is out of his walking boot and now able to take groundballs, freelance writer Andrew Baggarly reports.

Duffy is not expected back until after the All-Star break, but it sounds like the third baseman is on the right track with his recovery. Chances are the 25-year-old will need a brief rehab assignment before returning to the Giants. Until then, Ruben Tejada and Conor Gillaspie will split reps at third base in San Francisco.

Peterson now has a 13-game hitting streak after a 2-for-4 performance against Jose Fernandez and the Marlins in Saturday's 9-1 victory that consisted of a double, three-run homer and two runs.

Peterson has started July off with an even hotter bat than he finished June with, as he has three hits in seven at-bats over the first two games of the new month. All three of his round-trippers on the season have come during the current hitting streak, and Saturday's performance marked his sixth multi-hit effort over that span as well. Discounting one hitless outing against the Mets on June 18, Peterson has hit safely in every start since his June 10 return to the big league club from Triple-A Gwinnett.

Candelario will start at third base and bat sixth in the order Sunday against the Mets.

Called up earlier Sunday to provide some depth after Chris Coghlan (ribs) landed on the DL, Candelario will immediately slot into the lineup in what will mark his MLB debut. In order to accommodate Candelario, manager Joe Maddon will move Kris Bryant to right field, but it's uncertain if the Cubs will regularly go this route. Candelario made a compelling case for a promotion by slashing .347/.467/.625 across 90 plate appearances at Triple-A Iowa, but even with Coghlan out of the picture for playing time, the Cubs still have a wealth of options at every position. If Bryant ends up settling into right field more frequently, the team's top bench bat, Javier Baez, would probably be a more deserving candidate than Candelario to see action at third base.

Candelario was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Bruce Levine of 670 The Score reports.

The Cubs promoted the 22-year-old Candelario after Chris Coghlan (ribs) exited Saturday's game and was forced to the 15-day DL. Candelario rates as one of the Cubs' better prospects and was slashing an impressive .333/.452/.600 over 75 at-bats, but it looks like he'll primarily serve in a reserve role in his first stint in the majors.

LeMahieu (knee) is back in the lineup Saturday, batting second and playing second base against the Dodgers.

After a five-game absence due to a left knee contusion, LeMahieu will draw back into the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers. His return is a huge boon for the Rockies, as the second baseman will likely avoid a stint on the DL, provided his knee issue is behind him. He'll bat second in the order Saturday against Dodgers lefty Scott Kazmir.

Rendon is out of the lineup for Saturday's duel with Cincinnati, Chase Hughes of CSNMA reports.

Rendon, who started the Nats' last 12 games, will begin Saturday's game on the bench as Stephen Drew fills in for him at third base. After batting just over .200 through the first month of the season, the 26-year-old has turned things around, slashing .287/.374/.473 over his last 47 games.

LeMahieu (knee) remains out of the lineup Friday against the Dodgers, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports.

Make it five straight absences for LeMahieu, who continues to nurse a left knee contusion he suffered last weekend. However, LeMahieu's ability to pinch hit Tuesday would seem to suggest he's safe from the DL for the time being. Daniel Descalso continues to fill in at second base with Cristhian Adames (starting for Trevor Story) in the two-hole.

Peterson is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Miami.

Peterson, who's made 11 consecutive starts, will get the night off as Chase d'Arnaud makes a start at second base. Peterson currently has an 11-game hit streak going and is slashing .348/.375/.522 during that time.

Asche went 3-for-5 with a double and three RBI Wednesday at the Diamondbacks.

Asche capped off a four-run eighth inning with a sacrifice fly that gave the Phillies a temporary lead in a game they'd eventually win in extra innings. He's now collected an extra-base hit in six of his last eight games to raise his slugging percentage to .482.

LeMahieu is out of Wednesday's lineup against the Blue Jays, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Although he'd hoped to play in Wednesday's game, LeMahieu's return has been postponed. However, with Colorado having Thursday off, he may return to action for Friday's contest against the Dodgers.