MLB Player News

Muncy is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Giants, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Muncy will give way to David Freese at first base Wednesday with a left-hander in Derek Holland getting the ball first for the Giants. The 28-year-old is off to a slow start to the season, going 2-for-20 with a homer and four RBI through six games.

Moncada went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer, a double, two walks and three runs during an 8-3 victory against the Indians on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old went deep against the Indians' bullpen, smashing his homer in a lopsided game during the eighth. Five of Moncada's nine hits this season have gone for extra bases, as he now has three doubles and two homers. That gives him a dazzling .900 slugging percentage through about the first week of the season. He also sports a .522 on-base percentage in five games.

General manager Mike Rizzo said Wednesday that Kieboom won't be promoted from Triple-A Fresno to help the Nationals while Trea Turner (finger) is on the injured list, Byron Kerr of MASN Sports reports.

Turner is out indefinitely due to the non-displaced fracture of the index finger on his right (throwing) hand, leaving the team without its everyday shortstop and No. 2 hitter for an extended period of time. Though Kieboom's blend of contact skills and pop would likely make him the best replacement option for Turner from an offensive standpoint, the organization wants to work on his defense at both middle-infield spots at Fresno before he gets the call to the big leagues. As a result, the Nationals will cast their lot at shortstop with Wilmer Difo for now, while Adrian Sanchez will handle the super-utility role that Difo previously filled.

Escobar is starting at second base and hitting fifth Wednesday against the Padres.

Escobar is off to a slow start to the season, going 3-for-25 (.120) through six games. As such, he'll swap places in the lineup with Ketel Marte -- who is 7-for-14 with a pair of extra-base hits and a pair of stolen bases over his last three games -- for Wednesday's series finale.

Chapman went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Red Sox.

His first-inning shot off Chris Sale ended up being the difference in a duel between the two pitching staffs. Chapman already has three homers through eight games, and the 25-year-old is off to a flying start as he looks to top last year's career-high 24 round trippers.

LeMahieu went 2-for-4 with a run in the Yankees' 3-1 loss to the Tigers on Tuesday.

A day after being named the primary third baseman with Miguel Andujar (shoulder) put on the injured list, LeMahieu was the only Yankee to notch multiple hits and came around to score his team's only run. The main question surrounding LeMahieu coming into the season was not his hitting ability, but how many at-bats he would garner as a utility man in a crowded infield. With the job at the hot corner now his for as long as Andujar remains out, the veteran infielder's value is on the rise.

Bregman went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored Tuesday against the Rangers.

Bregman was hit by a pitch in the first inning and later stole second base as part of a double steal. He's gotten off to a slow start this season, though his willingness to steal bases is a decent sign that he's healthy after offseason surgery on his elbow.

Rendon went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run during Tuesday's 8-2 loss to the Phillies.

The 28-year-old produced the lone runs of the evening for the Nationals, who were unable to touch Phillies starter Zach Eflin. Rendon has gotten off to a hot start this season as he is 6-for-15 with one double, one home run and four RBI through the first four games.

Segura went 3-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and three RBI in Tuesday's 8-2 win over the Phillies.

Segura came up with a clutch bases-loaded double during the sixth inning to put the Phillies in complete control of the game. The RBI were the 29-year-old's first of the season. He is now 6-for-17 (.353 average) with five runs scored through four games.

Candelario went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Yankees.

Candelario is now 7-for-14 over the past three games with three doubles, pushing his slash line to .308/.308/.423 so far this season. The 25-year-old had a disappointing 2018 campaign, but the rebuilding Tigers figure to give him plenty of leash in 2019, and the early returns have been positive.