MLB Player News

Vargas started at first base and went 1-for-4 with a walk, a double and a run scored in Thursday's 7-1 win over the Mets.

Vargas started for the third consecutive game, two at first base sandwiched around one at second. There's a path to playing time for the veteran switch hitter with both Pavin Smith (elbow) and Carlos Santana (groin) on the 10-day injured list, and Vargas has hit safely in all seven games he's played to begin the season, going 11-for-24 (.458) with four extra-base hits and four RBI.

Karros isn't in the lineup Thursday versus the Padres.

Karros got his first lineup omission of the season Sunday, but he started in all three games in the series versus Houston afterwards. The third baseman went 2-for-7 with four walks and an RBI in the three-game set that concluded Wednesday. With the 23-year-old on the bench again Thursday, Willi Castro shifts to the hot corner and Edouard Julien is starting at second base.

Arenado is absent from the lineup for Thursday's tilt against the Mets.

Arenado's tenure in Arizona has not gotten off to the best start, as he's just 8-for-40 with no home runs and a 1:10 BB:K. Jose Fernandez will play third base and bat fifth for the Diamondbacks in Arenado's stead.

Riley went 1-for-3 with two walks, a double, three runs scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's win over the Angels.

It was a busy day on the basepaths for the third baseman, who isn't exactly known for his wheels -- the steal was just the eighth of Riley's career, and his first of 2026. He's still looking for his first homer of the year, and through 13 games Riley is slashing .200/.308/.244 with two doubles, three RBI and six runs.

Bichette went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a strikeout in Wednesday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

Bichette continues to see the ball well and now has three multi-hit games in his last five, hitting .348 with a .766 OPS in that stretch. The star third baseman needs to produce at a higher level to justify his ADP, though. He's gone three games without an RBI, four without an extra-base hit and has yet to hit a homer through 57 plate appearances so far.

Mastrobuoni (calf) went 0-for-2 with a pair of walks in his first rehab game with Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday.

Mastrobuoni has finally been cleared for games after suffering a right calf strain nearly a month ago. It's unclear how many rehab games the Mariners will ask the utility player to play, but it figures to at least be a handful.

Baty went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Wednesday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

Baty opened the season with a four-game hitting streak, and now he's hit safely in four of his last five as well. He's seeing the ball well of late, but that hasn't translated to a lot of production from a fantasy perspective. Despite hitting .275 through his first 40 plate appearances, he sports a .668 OPS with no homers, three doubles, a triple, six RBI, six runs scored and a 11:0 K:BB.

Hayes is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Marlins.

Hayes is a horrific 3-for-31 with no extra-base hits in his first 10 games this season, so he'll get a breather to regroup. Eugenio Suarez is getting a start at third base and Nathaniel Lowe will be the Reds' designated hitter.

Marte is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins.

Marte's playing time had been trending up with starts in three of the last four contests against righties, but he'll take a seat for the series finale as the Marlins send right-hander Max Meyer to the bump. TJ Friedl, Dane Myers and Spencer Steer will patrol the outfield for the Reds on Thursday.

Lewis went 2-for-3 with two RBI, one walk and a stolen base in Wednesday's 8-6 win over the Tigers.

Lewis posted his first multi-hit effort of the season, and he's now walked seven times over his last five games. The improvements for getting on base should help him keep a starting role at third base. Lewis is batting just .219 on the season, but he's getting on base at a .390 clip thanks to an 8:11 BB:K across 11 games. He's added two home runs, two stolen bases, eight RBI, six runs scored and two doubles through 41 plate appearances.