MLB Player News

Machado went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Thursday in a loss to Philadelphia.

Machado struck out twice in the contest, but he also provided half of the Padres' runs with his blast in the seventh inning. The star third baseman began the campaign very slowly, batting .198 with just two home runs over his first 25 games. However, Machado has picked up the pace in the power department since then, going deep nine times across his subsequent 34 contests. He's otherwise still looking for his swing, though, batting just .157 during that span, and his .174 batting average on the season is the second-worst mark among qualified MLB hitters.

Muncy passed concussion testing Thursday and has been diagnosed with a sore nose, but he will not play Friday against the Angels, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

It can be viewed as good news for Muncy after he was involved in a big collision at first base with Ildemaro Vargas in the fifth inning of Thursday's 3-2 loss to Arizona. With lefty Reid Detmers getting the start for the Angels against the Dodgers on Friday, it makes sense to give Muncy another day to rest. Santiago Espinal came on to play third base following Muncy's departure Thursday.

The Dodgers announced Muncy exited Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks with shortness of breath and to potentially rule out a concussion.

Muncy collided with Ildemaro Vargas at first base in the top of the fifth inning after Ryne Nelson failed to cover the bag on a grounder. Both Muncy and Vargas were removed from the game. With the Dodgers' wording, it sounds like Muncy didn't sustain a concussion and can be considered day-to-day ahead of Friday's series opener against the Angels.

Muncy was removed from Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks in the fifth inning after colliding with Ildemaro Vargas at first base, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.

Muncy legged out an infield single, but he and Vargas had a violent collision at first base. Both players were helped off the field and removed from the contest. Prior to leaving, Muncy was 1-for-2 at the plate. Santiago Espinal pinch ran for the injured third baseman.

Garcia (hamstring) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Twins.

It will be a fifth straight start missed for Garcia, who is working his way back from a right hamstring injury. The Royals are optimistic Garcia will be able to avoid the injured list, but a decision one way or another will need to be made soon. Nick Loftin is again filling in at third base in Garcia's stead.

Gray is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Royals.

The day off comes after Gray committed three errors at shortstop Wednesday. It will be Ryan Kreidler handling the position for the Twins on Thursday.

Ramirez went 3-for-4 with a stolen base, a solo home run and three total runs scored in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Yankees.

It's been a minute in terms of leaving the yard for Ramirez, who endured a 13-game stretch without a home run. The blast was his ninth in 63 games. He also extended a hit streak to five games, which is part of a longer stretch in which Ramirez has emerged from a season-opening slump. He was batting just .207 on May 14 but has gone 23-for-69 (.333) with 12 extra-base hits and 16 RBI over 18 games since. The 33-year-old is up to a season high .245 average.

Durbin went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a stolen base and two runs scored in Wednesday's 8-1 win over Baltimore.

It's still in the small-sample-size zone, but Durbin appears to be emerging from a season-opening slump. Wednesday's double extended his streak of games with an extra-base hit to six, and the third baseman is 9-for-24 with seven RBI, one steal and three runs scored over that stretch. With Wednesday's production, Durbin raised his average to a season-high .193.

Bichette went 4-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 7-1 win over the Mariners.

It was a much-needed performance from Bichette, who'd gone 0-for-13 over his previous four contests. He drove in two runs in the fourth inning with one of his four singles before adding a third RBI with a sacrifice fly in the eighth. Bichette is still slashing just .226/.280/.310 through 271 plate appearances this year with five home runs, 31 RBI and 29 runs scored.

Madrigal went 4-for-5 with one RBI and one run scored in Wednesday's 11-4 win over the Rockies.

Madrigal has gone 6-for-15 over six games since he was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake last Wednesday. None of those hits have gone for extra bases, and he was also caught on his lone stolen-base attempt. Madrigal has carved out a part-time role in the infield while Vaughn Grissom is covering first base in the absence of Nolan Schanuel (ankle). Madrigal should be in the lineup against most southpaws, though it doesn't look like he'll be strictly platooned for now, as he's already made two starts versus right-handed pitchers.