MLB Player News
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Nacho Alvarez Jr. 3B | ATL
Braves' Nacho Alvarez: Finding groove at plate
Alvarez went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI in Monday's extra-inning loss to the Cubs.
The 22-year-old infielder has picked up the pace at the plate, and over his last 16 games Alvarez is slashing .288/.344/.373 with five doubles, five RBI and seven runs. He should remain the starting third baseman for the rest of the season with Austin Riley recovering from core muscle surgery, but Alvarez's lack of power or speed limits his fantasy potential even in a full-time role.
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Noelvi Marte 3B | CIN
Reds' Noelvi Marte: Completes comeback
Marte went 1-for-5 with two RBI in Monday's 5-4 win over the Blue Jays.
The Reds squandered a lead in the top of the ninth inning but mounted their own comeback in the bottom of the frame. Marte finished it with a two-run single to walk off Toronto. He's scuffled the last week, batting .200 (6-for-30) with a 36.4 strikeout percentage, but Marte has delivered key hits during that run, including two home runs in addition to Monday's heroics.
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Blaze Alexander SS | ARI
Diamondbacks' Blaze Alexander: Gets start in center field
Alexander started in center field and went 1-for-4 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored in Monday's 7-5 extra-inning loss to the Rangers.
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo discussed Alexander's shifting role last week, including time in the outfield. The outfield skews lefty, particularly in center field, and Alexander gives the manager a right-handed option against southpaws, as was the case Monday against Texas lefty Patrick Corbin. Alexander then showed off his versatility by playing left field when Lourdes Gurriel (knee) was removed, and he eventually also played third base by the end of the game. He's been on a roll over the last week, going 7-for-21 with five extra-base hits, five RBI, one steal and seven runs scored over the last six contests.
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Cody Freeman SS | TEX
Rangers' Cody Freeman: Swats second homer
Freeman went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run, an additional RBI and a walk in Monday's 7-5 extra-inning win over the Diamondbacks.
Freeman has filled a short-side platoon role at second base since Marcus Semien (foot) exited the lineup, though he was in the lineup versus a right-hander (Ryne Nelson) in this contest. Freeman is batting .225 over his first 15 major-league games, adding two homers, seven RBI, two doubles, six runs scored and no stolen bases over 42 plate appearances. He'll need to find more consistency at the plate to carve out a larger role even with the absences of Semien and Corey Seager (appendectomy).
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Junior Caminero 3B | TB
Rays' Junior Caminero: Drives in pair Monday
Caminero went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Monday's 10-2 win over the Mariners.
Caminero hit a decent .262 (27-for-103) with 12 home runs and 23 RBI over 26 games in August. While he didn't start September with a bang, he continues to be a steady source of run production. The third baseman is up to a .258/.300/.530 slash line with 39 homers, 96 RBI, 80 runs scored, 23 doubles and seven stolen bases over 131 contests. Barring a brutal slump or injury, he should have no trouble topping the 40-homer and 100-RBI marks.
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Matt Shaw SS | CHC
Cubs' Matt Shaw: Reaches three times, swipes base
Shaw went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, a stolen base and an RBI in Monday's 7-6, extra-inning win over Atlanta.
After an encouraging August in which he batted .240 with an .839 OPS and five home runs across 28 games, Shaw got off to a good start in September. The rookie only swiped one base last month, but he's now got 16 steals overall this season in 19 attempts. Shaw continues to exhibit some growing pains as a 23-year-old, though his mix of power and speed gives him plenty of fantasy upside.
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Zach McKinstry 3B | DET
Tigers' Zach McKinstry: Drives in two in loss
McKinstry went 2-for-3 with a walk, a triple, a run scored and two RBI in Monday's 10-8 loss to the Mets.
McKinstry continued his nice stretch at the plate, as he's now batting .323 over his last 10 games with a home run, five RBI and six runs scored. Monday's triple was the utility player's 11th of the season, which is seven more than anyone else on the team. On the year, McKinstry is now sporting a .789 OPS, which would be a new career best.
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Austin Riley 3B | ATL
Braves' Austin Riley: Transferred to 60-day IL
Atlanta transferred Riley (abdomen) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.
The transaction frees a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Ha-Seong Kim (back), who was claimed off waivers from the Rays on Monday. Riley underwent season-ending core surgery nearly two weeks ago and is expected to be ready for spring training.
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Alec Bohm 3B | PHI
Phillies' Alec Bohm: Getting breather Monday
Bohm is absent from the lineup for Monday's game in Milwaukee.
Bohm put together an 11-game hitting streak upon his return from the injured list Aug. 17, but he'll get a breather Monday after going hitless in his last three contests. Edmundo Sosa will start third base and bat eighth for the Phillies.
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Brett Harris 3B | ATH
Athletics' Brett Harris: Losing out on playing time
Harris is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals.
Harris had been seeing fairly steady playing time at third base following his call-up from Triple-A Las Vegas on Aug. 15, but he appears to have faded into a reserve role in the wake of fellow infielder Zack Gelof getting a promotion last Monday. With Gelof starting at second base in all seven of the Athletics' games since his call-up, Darell Hernaiz has shifted over to third base on a more frequent basis.