MLB Player News

Moncada batted leadoff and went 1-for-4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI in Monday's 5-3 loss to Cleveland.

Leury Garcia, who had hit leadoff the first three games, was given the day off. Moncada has hit safely in all four games with extra-base hits in the last three. The White Sox gave him a good shot at leadoff in 2018, and Moncada may still end up there, but he was pretty comfortable at the second spot during spring training (1.110 OPS) and has continued that into the regular season (1.150).

Longoria (calf) is starting at third base and hitting third Monday against the Dodgers, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

As expected, Longoria is back in action after being limited to pinch-hit duties Sunday due to a minor calf injury. The veteran infielder will look to stay hot at the dish, as he's gone 4-for-11 with a homer and two RBI through four games this season.

Muncy is not in the lineup Monday against the Padres, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Muncy will give way to David Freese at first base with lefty Drew Pomeranz slated to start for the opposition. Through four games this season, Muncy is 2-for-15 with a homer and four RBI.

Vargas was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Monday.

Vargas will head to the minors after going 1-for-6 with a double and a run scored in the team's season-opening series against the Dodgers. Jon Duplantier will take his spot on the Diamondbacks' active roster.

LeMahieu is starting at third base and hitting seventh against the Tigers on Monday.

LeMahieu is 4-for-6 to start the season, so manager Aaron Boone will keep his bat in the lineup and have him man the hot corner Monday against Detroit. The veteran is expected to be in a super-utility role this season that could see him play all over the infield, and his versatility and strong contact-hitting abilities should allow him to break into the lineup with frequency, even if he occasionally finds himself as the odd man out.

Chapman went 2-for-3 with an RBI single and a walk in a win over the Angels on Sunday.

Hopes were high this spring that Chapman could take the next step at the plate after already reaching elite status with his glove. Thus far, the 25-year-old is delivering on those expectations by a wide margin. Sunday's multi-hit effort was Chapman's third over the first six games, and he's already compiled four RBI as well.

Astudillo went 2-for-2 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs Sunday against Cleveland.

Astudillo kicked off the scoring in the second inning with an RBI double and tacked on an insurance run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly to center. After being kept on the bench for the first two games of the season, Astudillo made the most of his opportunities in his 2019 debut.

Longoria (calf) is available to pinch hit Sunday and will return to the lineup Monday, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Longoria wasn't scheduled to be in the lineup Sunday after fouling a pitch off his calf Saturday. However, the issue apparently won't affect him in the long term, as he will rejoin the lineup against the Dodgers on Monday.

Duffy will be out for six more weeks with hamstring and back injuries, Rodney Page of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Duffy had been dealing with an unreported minor back issue, but the problem has worsened in recent days and complicated his recovery from a strained left hamstring. He's now set to return in mid-May. Yandy Diaz and Daniel Robertson have received the starts at third base in the Rays' first four games.

Vargas will start at third base and bat second Sunday against the Dodgers.

Vargas was recalled to the majors after Steven Souza (knee) required season-ending surgery. Sunday will mark his first start of the season, and he'll draw a tough matchup against Walker Buehler. He has appeared in two of the team's three games this season, once as a pinch hitter and once as a defensive replacement.