MLB Player News

LeMahieu is starting at third base and leading off for the Yankees on Friday.

LeMahieu was held out of Thursday's contest after he was hit by a pitch on his left pinkie finger and later fouled a ball off his neck Wednesday. A CT scan on his neck came back clean, so Thursday's absence was likely precautionary. LeMahieu has hit .417 (5-for-12) over his past four games.

Clement went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Thursday's win over the Giants.

The 28-year-old has become the Jays' regular third baseman with Isiah Kiner-Falefa (knee) on the shelf and Addison Barger back in Triple-A. Clement has started 12 of the last 14 games at the hot corner, slashing .244/.261/.467 over that stretch with three homers, a steal, five runs and eight RBI. Kiner-Falefa only resumed baseball activities earlier this week and may not be ready to come off the IL immediately after the All-Star break, so Clement's starting stint could last into the latter part of July.

Suarez went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Thursday's 1-0 win over Atlanta.

Suarez provided the game's only offense with a solo shot in the fifth inning. It was the second consecutive game with a home run for Suarez, who's hit three over the last five games and is 15-for-49 (.306) with eight extra-base hits and 13 RBI over the last 15 contests. It might be a good time to buy low on the third baseman; Suarez's first three months (.591 OPS) have been well below his career norm (.756).

Espinal went 2-for-4 with a double and a solo home run in Thursday's 8-1 win over Colorado.

Espinal got the start at shortstop, giving Elly De La Cruz a breather, and belted his fourth home run of the season. It was his third straight start after he filled in at second base for Jonathan India, who battled knee soreness the previous two games. Espinal has hit safely in four straight, going 6-for-12 and bumping his average to .203 for the season.

Urias isn't in the Orioles' lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs.

Urias will take a seat for the second game in a row after making three consecutive starts at third base. Jordan Westburg will shift to the hot corner as a result, opening up second base for Jorge Mateo.

Chapman went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 10-6 loss to the Blue Jays.

Chapman hit one of two homers for the Giants in the ninth inning, but it was too late to generate a comeback. The third baseman has gone deep five times and added 13 RBI over his last 15 contests, a span in which he's batting .298 (17-for-57). For the year, he's up to 13 long balls, 43 RBI, 60 runs scored, 24 doubles, eight stolen bases and a .231/.322/.423 slash line through 90 games.

The Guardians optioned Arias to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

The Guardians have valued Arias for his ability to play all over the infield and outfield during his time in the majors over parts of the last three seasons, but he had fallen out of favor lately, with recent call-ups Angel Martinez and Daniel Schneemann having supplanted him as superior utility options. Arias should get the opportunity to play on an everyday basis as he heads to Columbus, though it may take an injury to another Guardians position player or a downturn in performance from Martinez and/or Schneemann before Arias resurfaces in the big leagues.

Clement went 3-for-4 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's win over the Giants.

Clement smacked a three-run shot off Logan Webb in the fifth to put Toronto on top 3-2 and then added an RBI single his next at-bat to extend the lead. The 28-year-old finished the night with three hits for only the second time on the campaign, and he's now homered in back-to-back games. Clement has also hit safely in three straight, going 5-for-13 (.384) over that stretch with seven RBI and three runs scored.

Espinal will start at shortstop and bat eighth in Thursday's game against the Rockies.

Espinal will be rewarded with a third consecutive start after he went 3-for-7 with a walk, two runs and two RBI between the previous two contests. Both of Espinal's last two starts were at second base in place of Jonathan India, who battled knee soreness. The 29-year-old Espinal still appears have a role as a short-side platoon player and occasional fill-in rather than a regular in the Reds lineup.

Suarez went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, three RBI and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 7-5 win over Atlanta.

Suarez launched a no-doubt, two-run home run to left field in the second inning to tie the game. He later delivered a run with a seventh-inning double. It's a small sample size, but Suarez may be emerging from a season-long slump. He was batting .192 with a .584 OPS as recently as June 23, but the third baseman has posted a .298 average and .942 OPS in the 14 games since, including two home runs and nine RBI over the last four contests.