MLB Player News

Vargas will start at third base and bat seventh in Tuesday's game against the Athletics, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

With Washington recently releasing Maikel Franco and opting to deploy Cesar Hernandez as a utility player following Luis Garcia's activation from the injured list rather than breaking Hernandez in at third base, Vargas looks to have built some job security as the Nationals' primary option at the hot corner. He enters Tuesday's contest coming off a productive four-game stretch in which he went 5-for-13 with two home runs, a double and two walks to lift his OPS up to .790 for the season.

Castro went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Monday against the Brewers.

Castro continues to swing a hot bat, as four of his five home runs this season have come since he was recalled Aug. 9. He's also hit .317, with five RBI, four runs scored and two stolen bases in that span. Though Castro isn't the everyday starter at either second or third base, the Pirates have made room for him in the lineup and that is likely to remain the case so long as he continues to hit.

Urshela went 1-for-2 with a three-run double and two walks in Monday's 4-2 win over Boston.

Urshela cleared the bases with a three-run double against John Schreiber in the fifth inning. The 30-year-old infielder is now 22-for-79 (.278) with eight extra-base hits and 11 RBI across 23 games this month. He improved his season slash line to .268/.314/.429 with 21 doubles and 53 RBI through 407 plate appearances.

Hayes is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Brewers.

Hayes is hitless in 10 career at-bats against Brewers starter Corbin Burnes, so he will get a breather with Burns on the bump Monday night. Rodolfo Castro will man the hot corner in Hayes' place.

Longoria (hamstring) isn't starting Monday's game against the Padres, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Longoria suffered a right hamstring injury during Sunday's matchup against the Twins, and while the injury was later reported to be a mild one, he'll miss at least one game while on the mend. The third baseman will continue to be considered day-to-day until further notice.

Donaldson is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Angels.

Donaldson does not sit much, but manager Aaron Boone decided it was best to give him a breather Monday night. DJ LeMahieu will man the hot corner in Donaldson's place.

Duffy (back) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Monday.

Duffy had been on the injured list since the end of June, but he spent the last few weeks on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Salt Lake and hit .179 with a run, an RBI, a walk and six strikeouts over eight minor-league games. Duffy isn't starting Monday against the Yankees and will likely have to compete with Luis Rengifo for playing time at third base over the final month of the season.

Senzel (hamstring) is starting Monday against the Cardinals, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Senzel sat out the last three games with left hamstring tightness but will serve as the designated hitter and bat sixth Monday. Over his last seven games, he's hit .269 with a home run, four RBI, three runs, three walks and five strikeouts.

Bregman went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, two walks and an additional run in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Orioles.

After a slow start to the season, Bregman has emerged as Houston's hottest hitter in August. He's now slashing .375/.457/.716 on the month and has provided seven of his 20 home runs on the campaign in the past two and a half weeks.

Machado went 4-for-5 with two home runs and a double for a total of four RBI and three runs scored in a 15-7 loss to the Royals on Sunday.

Machado had an incredible night at the plate, which included two home runs off Royals starter Jonathan Heasley. Machado has been scorching throughout August and came into the game slashing .316/.382/.551 this month. The 30-year-old third baseman has been a beacon of consistency throughout his career, and if he stays hot down the stretch he could be on the brink of his second 100-RBI season and fifth 30-home run season.