MLB Player News

Escobar could be running out of time to solidify his hold on the starting third base job for the Mets, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

The veteran is batting just .103 (4-for-39) with one homer in 12 games to begin the season, and more discouragingly, that lack of base hits comes with a 2:11 BB:K and an average exit velocity in the bottom five percent of the league as well as a 12th percentile hard-hit rate. The Mets also have an alternative ready at hand in top prospect Brett Baty, who is off to a scorching start at Triple-A. Escobar still has time to shake off his early season slump, but with the team off to a 7-6 start that's fallen a bit short of expectations, meaning a switch at the hot corner could be on the table.

Machado went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in an extra-inning loss to the Brewers on Thursday.

Machado entered Thursday batting a mediocre .250, and he had yet to go deep over his first 56 plate appearances in 2023. The star third baseman finally got off the schneid with a first-inning solo homer. Machado's start to the season has been disappointing, but chances are that he'll get in a groove eventually given that he averaged 30 homers and 104 RBI over his past two campaigns.

Chapman (illness) is hoping to return to the lineup Friday against the Rays, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Chapman was scratched from Thursday's loss against the Tigers due to an illness. After the game, manager John Schneider said he hopes Chapman can return to the lineup Friday. That leaves his status relatively unclear, though it's encouraging the third baseman wasn't immediately ruled out for an additional contest.

Chapman was removed from Thursday's lineup against the Tigers due to an illness.

Chapman's illness will put Santiago Espinal in to start at third base and bat eighth Thursday. Chapman should be considered day-to-day heading into Friday's matchup with the Rays.

Hayes is batting leadoff Thursday at St. Louis.

Hayes is slashing just .149/.184/.213 through 49 plate appearances this season, but he'll look to get it going Thursday against the Cardinals and left-hander Jordan Montgomery. Ji Hwan Bae is hitting eighth.

Vosler isn't in the Reds' lineup for Thursday's game against the Phillies.

Vosler will take a seat with lefty Bailey Falter slated to start on the mound for Philadelphia. Tyler Stephenson will shift to first base in place of Vosler, giving Curt Casali a chance to start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said LeMahieu (quad) is available off the bench Thursday versus the Twins, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

LeMahieu is absent from the Yankees' starting lineup for a second straight day because of quad tightness, but it's clearly nothing overly serious. Oswaldo Cabrera will get the start at third base against Minnesota.

Senzel (toe) was activated from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Will Benson has been optioned out by the Reds in a corresponding roster move. Senzel tallied a homer and two doubles during his seven-game minor-league rehab stint with Triple-A Louisville and has a path to regular playing time in the Reds' outfield, but the 27-year-old former top prospect has mostly been unproductive in the majors over the last handful of seasons while dealing with numerous injuries. He'll start in center field and bat sixth Thursday against the Phillies and lefty Bailey Falter.

LeMahieu (quad) remains out of the Yankees' lineup for Thursday's game versus the Twins.

LeMahieu felt some tightness in his quad Tuesday and will now sit out a second straight contest. He's considered day-to-day. The Yankees have Oswaldo Cabrera starting at third base in Thursday's series opener.

Farmer was placed on the 10-day injured list by the Twins on Thursday with a facial injury, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Farmer underwent surgery Wednesday on his lower lip and bottom teeth after being struck by a pitch in the face versus the White Sox. He was able to avoid a fractured jaw and a concussion, so things could have been worse. It's not clear when Farmer might be back.