MLB Player News

Atlanta optioned Alvarez to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

The 22-year-old has been up in the big leagues for the past couple weeks but will head back to Gwinnett due to Austin Riley (abdomen) returning from the injured list Friday. Alvarez received regular playing time at third base while Riley was out and went 6-for-30 (.200 average) with a double, two runs and nine strikeouts in eight games.

Atlanta reinstated Riley (abdomen) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

The third baseman was still feeling some discomfort in his lower abdomen earlier this week, but he's ready to rejoin the big-league roster Friday after spending two weeks on the injured list. Riley had a hot start to July prior to the injury, going 13-for-41 (.317 average) with five doubles, two homers, six RBI and five runs in 10 games.

Barger went 1-for-4 with a walk, a triple, two runs scored and two RBI in Thursday's win over the Tigers.

His seventh-inning blast into the right-center field gap off left-hander Dietrich Enns was the first triple of Barger's career. The 25-year-old has been locked in since the All-Star break, hitting safety in six of seven games while batting .385 (10-for-26) with three extra-base hits, five runs and six RBI. Barger still sits against tougher southpaw starting pitchers, but it's getting more and more difficult for manager John Schneider to leave him off the lineup card, even in same-handed matchups.

Clement went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer and an additional RBI during Thursday's 11-4 win over the Tigers.

Clement broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth inning with a three-run home run. The 29-year-old has hit just five homers on the season, but he does have 20 doubles and 31 RBI. He's maintained an everyday role all season, although he's had a tough July prior to Thursday's showing, slashing just .186/.205/.257 with four extra-base hits and five RBI.

Andujar isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Astros.

Andujar will grab a seat on the bench Thursday after going 2-for-10 with four strikeouts during the Athletics' three-game set against the Rangers. While he rests, Gio Urshela will pick up a start at third base, and Carlos Cortes will cover right field.

Guillorme (hamstring) went 0-for-3 with Triple-A Sugar Land in rehab game Wednesday.

Guillorme has been sidelined with a hamstring strain since early July but will presumably be able to return in a few days. What his role upon activation will be is unclear, however, as he managed only three hits across 20 at-bats prior to suffering the injury.

Caminero went 2-for-4 with a home run and three total RBI in Wednesday's loss to the White Sox.

Caminero contributed to an early Tampa Bay lead with a two-run blast in the first inning. He tacked on an RBI on a fielder's choice in the eighth frame, but the Rays ended up falling short. Caminero is in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak, during which he's batting .393 (11-for-28) with three homers and eight RBI.

Mayer said he will receive an MRI on his right wrist Thursday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Mayer exited Wednesday's contest in the fifth inning with wrist discomfort, and he was seen wearing a brace after the game. He said he is still in a bit of pain, but the team won't know more about the severity of his injury until he goes in for imaging. If the 22-year-old ends up needing to miss any amount of time, Romy Gonzalez would likely benefit from an uptick in starts.

Lewis went 2-for-2 with a solo home run, a walk and a double in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Dodgers.

It was Lewis' fifth homer of the season and his third in the month of July. The slugging third baseman is finally beginning to come around amidst what's been another injury-plagued campaign, and his recent surge could help him work his way back up Minnesota's batting order. Since the start of June, Lewis is slashing .322/.381/.529 with four big flies, six doubles and 16 RBI over 97 plate appearances.

Mayer was removed from Wednesday's game against the Phillies due to right wrist discomfort, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Mayer went 0-for-1 with a walk and a run scored before his wrist forced him out of the game in the fifth inning. The severity of his injury is unclear, but a day off for the Red Sox on Thursday will give him extra time to recover and possibly allow him to be ready for Friday's series opener against the Dodgers.