MLB Player News

Seager (back) is hitting second while serving as the designated hitter Thursday against the Padres.

Seager hasn't played since Friday due to a lower-back injury, but he's been cleared to return for Thursday's series finale after getting through warmups with no issues. The 26-year-old, who is 17-for-50 with three home runs and seven RBI this season, will face right-hander Chris Paddack in his first game back.

Mateo (illness) was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Thursday.

A positive COVID-19 test in summer camp forced Mateo to open the season on the shelf, but he's been cleared to return ahead of Thursday's series finale against the Dodgers. It remains to be seen how the Padres plan to use Mateo out of the gates, but he could push Jurickson Profar -- who is hitting just .173 on the season -- for at-bats.

Berti went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's extra-inning win over the Blue Jays.

Getting the nod in right field and hitting eighth, the utility player put together another productive effort. Berti has been somewhere in the starting lineup eight times in nine August games, and while his .226 batting average (7-for-31) and one RBI aren't ideal, he's scored seven runs and stolen three bases on the month.

Mateo (COVID-19) was added to the Padres' taxi squad Wednesday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Mateo was expected to be part of the big-league roster when San Diego acquired him in late June, but he tested positive for COVID-19 early in summer camp and had been working his way back into shape at the team's alternate training site since late July. As part of the taxi squad, Mateo is working out with the Padres during their road visit to Los Angeles, but he cannot participate in games unless he is first moved to the active roster. It remains to be seen when -- or if -- San Diego plans to work Mateo into its infield mix.

Ahmed went 3-for-4 with a double, three runs, two RBI and a walk during Wednesday's 13-7 win at Colorado.

The 30-year-old entered the series against the Rockies with only seven hits, four runs and four RBI all season, but he took advantage of Coors Field and went 7-for-12 with seven runs, four RBI, two stolen bases and a walk in three games. Ahmed still only has a .633 OPS on the season, but it appears he's busted out of the season-opening slump.

Swanson went 3-for-5 with a run scored and a double in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Yankees.

Swanson got aboard with a double in the ninth inning and he scored on a Travis d'Arnaud single to cut the deficit to three, but that was as close as Atlanta got. The 26-year-old Swanson entered Wednesday with just two hits in his last 17 at-bats. He's hitting .276/.321/.421 with two homers, three stolen bases, 14 RBI and 15 runs scored in 20 games this season.

Camargo went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Yankees.

Camargo went deep off Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka in the second inning, but the lead would be short-lived for Atlanta. Camargo has hit safely in three straight games, going 4-for-12 with two homers, four RBI and three runs scored in that span. He's hitting .212/.268/.442 with three homers, six RBI and eight runs scored in 17 games overall.

Seager (back) remains out of the lineup Wednesday against the Padres.

Seager was a full participant in pregame workouts Wednesday after working in the field Tuesday, but he'll continue to be held out of the lineup. No timetable has been established for his return, but he appears to be trending toward game readiness. The team could elect to use him as a designated hitter once he returns in order to ease him back into action. Chris Taylor will start at shortstop Wednesday, batting seventh.

Owings exited Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks with left hamstring tightness, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Owings was replaced in the field during the second inning as a precautionary measure. It's unclear how the injury occurred, but he'll be able to recover during the Rockies' off day Thursday. Whether he'll miss any time during the team's weekend series against Texas remains to be seen.

Arcia isn't in the lineup Wednesday against the Twins.

Arcia recorded hits in each of the past two games, but he'll take a seat for the series finale against Minnesota. Eric Sogard will shift to shortstop as Brock Holt steps in at third base.