MLB Player News

Baez (back) isn't starting the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Nationals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Baez wasn't in Tuesday's lineup due to tightness in his lower back, but he appeared as a pinch hitter and went 0-for-1 with a strikeout. He'll likely be available off the bench again in Wednesday's nightcap, but Jonathan Villar will start at shortstop and bat seventh.

McLain debuted for High-A Dayton on Wednesday, starting at shortstop while going 4-for-5 with a home run, a double and five RBI.

McLain, the No. 17 overall pick in July's first-year player draft, appeared in two games for the Reds' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate before Cincinnati assigned him to High-A. The fact that McLain is bypassing Low-A entirely isn't completely shocking, given that he was regarded as one of the more advanced hitters of his draft class following a three-year college career at UCLA. A move to second base or center field may be in the cards for McLain down the road, but his excellent hit tool, plus baserunning skills and burgeoning pop make him an intriguing player to monitor in dynasty leagues.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Cruz (forearm) has resumed taking full swings in the batting cage, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Pittsburgh anticipates that Cruz will take another step forward in his recovery from a forearm strain later in the week, when he's scheduled to face pitching in live batting practice. Because Cruz has been out since late June with the injury, he'll likely require a rehab assignment in the lower levels of the minors before Double-A Altoona reinstates him from the 7-day injured list.

Rojas will start at shortstop and bat leadoff Wednesday in San Diego, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

With Jazz Chisholm having moved back to the COVID-19 injured list earlier this week after a brief return to the active roster, Rojas has locked down the Marlins' leadoff job. Rojas could end up sticking as the Marlins' table setter once Chisholm returns, given how well he's performed of late. He'll carry a six-game hitting streak into Wednesday's series finale, with Rojas having gone 9-for-23 with a home run, two doubles, two stolen bases, a walk, five runs and three RBI over that stretch.

Lindor (oblique) took batting practice on the field and participated in fielding drills Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Lindor has been taking grounders since the end of July, but he resumed swinging late last week and took another step by hitting on the field Wednesday. The Mets view this week as important in the shortstop's recovery process, and the team remains hopeful that he'll return from the injured list prior to the end of the month.

Barrero has hit .299/.385/.555 with nine homers, seven steals, 30 RBI and 23 runs across 36 games since being promoted to Triple-A Louisville.

The 23-year-old hasn't picked up a ton of hype, but he's certainly been earning it by mashing first at Double-A and now at Triple-A, where he's actually flashed an even better power stroke. Barrero made the unusual jump from High-A to the majors last year and struggled about as much as you'd expect from someone in that situation, but it looks like he'll be much better prepared the next time he gets the call to Cincy. There's still some swing-and-miss in his game, but his power-speed combo is enticing enough to be worth the risk.

Seager went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, a double and two runs scored Tuesday against the Phillies.

Seager opened the scoring for the Dodgers with a solo home run to lead off the fifth inning. It was his fifth homer of the season and first since he was activated from the injured list July 30. In nine games since, he's recorded at least one hit on six occasion and also has four multi-hit efforts. While he's lacked power in that span, Seager's performance hasn't hardly missed a beat after a two-month absence.

DeJong went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk Tuesday against the Pirates.

DeJong took Steven Brault deep in the second inning to record his 15th homer of the season. Prior to that shot, DeJong had managed only three hits across 29 at-bats while striking out at a 35.5 percent clip. That falls in line with what has been an unimpressive season for DeJong, as he's hitting only .199/.291/.387 with 37 runs scored and 35 RBI across 306 plate appearances.

Edman went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and and a walk Tuesday against the Pirates.

Edman led off the game with his seventh home run of the season. It was his first long ball since July 20, though he did manage to tally seven doubles in that 17-game span. Edman has struggled to a .252/.300/.376 line across 468 plate appearances for the season, though his fantasy value has been propped up by 19 stolen bases.

Adames went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in a 4-2 win over the Cubs during the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader.

The shortstop led off the fourth inning with his 21st homer of the season, setting a new career high and getting the Brewers on the board. Sixteen of Adames' long balls have come in just 68 games since he was traded from Tampa Bay, and on the season he sports a .491 SLG and .826 OPS, both of which would be personal bests.