MLB Player News

Rivera is not in the lineup Thursday against the Rays.

The hot-hitting Evan Longoria will start at third base and bat sixth as the Diamondbacks close out this three-game series versus Tampa Bay. Rivera showed well upon his initial call-up to the majors in late April and still holds a shiny .306 batting average on the year, but his lack of power production is preventing him from fully securing everyday at-bats.

Walls (back) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's game in Arizona, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It's the third straight game Walls has missed with right lat/back tightness. An MRI came back negative, but it's possible Walls will need a stint on the injured list if the issue lingers. Vidal Brujan will be at second base and Isaac Paredes will handle the hot corner Thursday.

Hayes (back) is expected to return from the 10-day injured list when first eligible July 5, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Hayes landed on the injured list Wednesday, retroactive to Sunday, because of a lower-back issue that kept him out of the Pirates' lineup since Saturday. It's not a serious concern, though, and it sounds like he will be ready to rock for the final stretch of games leading into the All-Star break. Jared Triolo is getting a brief audition at third base in Hayes' absence.

Candelario went 1-for-3 with a walk, a double, a run scored, an RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's win over the Mariners.

It was another productive performance for the switch-hitting third baseman, who extended his hit streak to six games with his first-inning two-bagger. Candelario has been a double machine over the last couple weeks -- nine in his last 14 contests, a stretch in which he's slashing .353/.411/.647 -- while Wednesday's stolen base was his second in as many days. He's stolen only four bags all season, but that does establish a new career high for Candelario.

Rosario (ankle) resumed his rehab assignment June 22 and has gone 4-for-17 with six RBI, three runs and a 4:6 BB:K through five games with Triple-A El Paso this season.

Rosario launched a rehab assignment June 6, but after playing that day, he took the next two weeks off before returning to game action. He's now played four games in total since restarting the rehab assignment and will likely remain with El Paso for close to the maximum 20 days before being activated from the Padres' 60-day injured list. Expect the Padres to option him to El Paso once he's activated.

Triolo went 1-for-3 Wednesday against the Padres.

Triolo was promoted Wednesday and made his first big-league start while hitting eighth in the lineup and playing third base. He got an opportunity in the majors with Ke'Bryan Hayes (back) sidelined but will likely have to split reps at third base with Rodolfo Castro. Prior to tallying his first big-league hit, Triolo maintained an .839 OPS across 159 plate appearances and a 27.7 percent strikeout rate at Triple-A Indianapolis.

Jung went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 10-2 win over the Tigers.

Jung went deep in the third inning for his 16th home run and first in eight contests. His was one of three home runs hit by Texas. The young third baseman was held out of the starting lineup the previous day after a 3-for-25 (.120) stretch during which he failed to drive in a run. He actually snapped out of his funk a bit Tuesday, as Jung entered the game as a pinch hitter and drove in a run with a single.

Ramirez went 2-for-3 with a grand slam, a double, two walks, three total runs, five total RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's 14-1 rout of the Royals.

Ramirez stuffed the stat sheet in a massive performance that included a third-inning grand slam and a seventh-inning RBI double. The star third baseman reached base four times in total, finishing a triple shy of the cycle and adding icing on the fantasy cake with a stolen base. Ramirez has been one of the game's top hitters in June, slashing .340/.406/.660 with seven long balls, 22 RBI, 21 runs, three thefts and an 11:10 BB:K through 23 games.

Sosa went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run against the Cubs in Wednesday's 8-5 win.

Sosa entered Wednesday mired in a massive June swoon during which he was batting a paltry .174 with no homers, no walks and 13 strikeouts over 46 plate appearances. For one game at least, he showed that he is still capable of contributing at the plate, as he kicked off a big offensive night for the team with a two-run shot in the second inning. Sosa's primary contributions to the Phillies are versatility and defense, and given his ugly 2:43 BB:K on the campaign, there's little reason to believe he's headed for a sudden surge at the dish.

Madrigal went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Wednesday's loss to the Phillies.

With Patrick Wisdom (wrist) on the injured list, Madrigal continues to see regular playing time at third base. This was his sixth straight start at the hot corner, and he's recorded hits in all of those contests. Wisdom offers more power potential when he's able to return, but Madrigal is the better contact hitter and may be doing enough to hold onto the starting job.