MLB Player News

Donaldson went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a walk, four runs and three RBI in a 13-4 victory against Oakland on Thursday.

The bottom five in New York's order combined to go 12-for-25 with seven RBI in the rout, and Donaldson was at the forefront with a trio each of hits and runs batted in. The veteran third baseman had been struggling mightily entering the contest, going 6-for-44 (.136 average) over his previous 13 games. Donaldson's 12 homers on the campaign are disappointing given than he hit 26 long balls last season, but he's picked up 25 doubles, just one shy of his total last year.

LeMahieu's absence from the lineup Thursday against the Athletics was planned to manage a previous toe injury, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Giancarlo Stanton returned to the lineup Thursday, which crowded the Yankees' lineup. LeMahieu was the odd-man out, though it was later clarified to be a maintenance day. He returned to the lineup Aug. 18 after missing three games due to inflammation in his right big toe, so the Yankees are taking a cautious approach to his workload.

Moncada exited Thursday's game against the Orioles with tightness in his left hamstring.

Moncada made a strong defensive play early on in the matchup, though he came up limping afterward. He managed to remain in the game for several innings but was ultimately lifted in the fifth. Given the number of lower-body injuries that Moncada has dealt with this season, this is a concerning development.

LeMahieu is not in Thursday's lineup against the Blue Jays.

The Yankees' lineup got more crowded with the return of Giancarlo Stanton, forcing LeMahieu to the bench. LeMahieu likely won't consistently be the odd-man out due to his defensive versatility, but Gleyber Torres will get the nod at second base Thursday against the Jays.

Mets manager Buck Showalter said Escobar (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment Thursday for High-A Brooklyn, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

According to Showalter, Escobar is scheduled to log seven innings at shortstop, a position he's played for only two innings in the majors since the start of the 2019 season. Because Escobar had fallen into a short-side platoon role at third base prior to landing on the injured list Aug. 17 with a strained oblique, the Mets are eager to give him more exposure to other infield positions so he can serve as more of a utility player off the bench once he's activated. The Mets appear content to stick with rookie Brett Baty as their everyday third baseman, even though the youngster has produced a measly .492 OPS in his first eight big-league games.

Moustakas (calf) isn't starting Thursday against the Phillies.

Moustakas continues to deal with a left calf injury and will be out of the lineup for a second consecutive game. Donovan Solano will shift to first base while Kyle Farmer serves as the designated hitter Thursday.

Arenado returned to St. Louis in preparation of the birth of his child and won't be available for Thursday's series finale with the Cubs in Chicago, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

The Cardinals didn't announce any roster moves ahead of Thursday's contest, so the team will be a man down before Arenado is presumably placed on the paternity list ahead of Friday's game against Atlanta. Since players can spend anywhere from 1-to-3 days away from the team upon landing on the paternity list, fantasy managers should prepare for the possibility of Arenado missing all three games against Atlanta. Tommy Edman is filling in at third base Thursday, but Brendan Donovan may be the main beneficiary if Arenado is absent for the entire weekend.

Arenado is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Even though Arenado played just three innings in Wednesday's 7-1 loss before being ejected following his second plate appearance when he argued a third-strike call, he'll get some rest for the day game after a night game. Given that he's started in all 25 of the Cardinals' games since missing the team's two-game series in Toronto in late July, Arenado was probably overdue for a day off. Tommy Edman will spell him at third base.

Madrigal will sit Thursday against the Cardinals.

Madrigal will get a day off after he went 2-for-7 with a run scored while starting the last two contests. Zach McKinstry will slide over to second base while Nelson Velazquez enters the lineup in center field and bats eighth after some shuffling.

Walls is not in the starting lineup against the Angels on Thursday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Walls will take a seat after he went 2-for-10 with three RBI and a run scored while starting the first three games of the series. Yu Chang will take over at shortstop and bat eighth in the series finale.