MLB Player News

Muncy could be placed on the injured list due to ongoing pain in his arm, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Muncy suffered a partially torn UCL in the final days of the 2021 regular season. He declined to undergo surgery during the offseason, instead opting for rehab. While Muncy has avoided the injured list -- or even a notable number of missed games -- early in the campaign, he has managed just a .150/.327/.263 line across 168 plate appearances. A stint on the injured list could allow Muncy to overcome the lingering pain and reset after his early struggles. He was held out of Thursday's lineup, with Edwin Rios entering the lineup as the designated hitter.

Vargas cleared waivers and was released by the Cubs on Thursday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Vargas was recently designated for assignment by Chicago, and he elected to become a free agent rather than report to the minors. The 30-year-old appeared in 10 games for the Cubs and had a .130/.231/.348 slash line with one home run and four RBI.

Moncada isn't starting Thursday against the Red Sox due to leg soreness, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Manager Tony La Russa didn't sound too concerned about the severity of Moncada's injury but said that the team wanted to give the third baseman an extra day of rest prior to Friday's scheduled day off. Moncada should be considered day-to-day ahead of Saturday's series opener against the Cubs.

Muncy isn't starting Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

Muncy started in the last five games but went just 1-for-19 with an RBI, five walks and six strikeouts. Justin Turner will start at third base while Edwin Rios serves as the designated hitter Thursday.

Rivera (illness) is starting at third base and batting seventh Thursday against the Twins.

Rivera was scratched from Tuesday's lineup due to an illness, but he's good to go coming off Wednesday's scheduled off day. The 25-year-old is 3-for-19 with two solo home runs and two additional runs scored over his past five appearances.

LeMahieu (wrist) isn't starting Thursday against the Rays.

LeMahieu was scratched from Tuesday's lineup due to left wrist discomfort, and he received a cortisone shot afterward. The 33-year-old will remain out of the lineup for a second straight game while Gleyber Torres starts at the keystone and Marwin Gonzalez takes over at third base.

Moncada isn't starting Thursday against the Red Sox.

Moncada has gone 0-for-13 with four strikeouts over the last three games, and he'll get a breather Thursday. Jake Burger will take over at third base and bat seventh.

Kreidler (hand) is expected to return to the lineup at Triple-A Toledo on Friday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Kreidler underwent surgery to repair a fractured right hand in late April, but he'll return to game action after missing just over a month. The 24-year-old slashed .246/.346/.462 with four homers, 12 RBI, six runs and four stolen bases over 18 games in Toledo prior to his absence. If he performs well after returning to action, Kreidler will likely be in the mix to make his major-league debut at some point in 2022.

Madrigal (back) will start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Madrigal has been out with back tightness since May 10, but resumed on-field work Tuesday and is now set to start his rehab assignment this weekend. He'll likely appear in multiple games in Triple-A before rejoining to the big-league roster, potentially returning to the Cubs during their four-game series versus the Brewers early next week. With Andrelton Simmons now shifted over to second base, he stands to see a lesser role once Madrigal is activated from the injured list.

Moustakas is not in Thursday's lineup against the Cubs.

He has sat against two of the last five southpaws the Reds have faced, so Moustakas isn't quite in a full platoon, but he will get his rest days against same-handed pitching. Moustakas is hitting .232/.346/.435 with three home runs in 20 games this month.