MLB Player News

Abrams (neck) will start at second base and bat cleanup in Wednesday's contest versus the Phillies.

Abrams was unable to play Tuesday because of neck tightness, but he's ready to roll after one day of rest. It's the sixth start at second base this season for Abrams, who has split time between both spots in the middle infield over the last two-plus weeks.

Winn is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Winn will get the afternoon off after starting each of the previous five contests. It will be Thomas Saggese manning shortstop and batting seventh for the Cardinals in Wednesday's rubber match.

Ortiz went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Pirates.

It's the 28-year-old infielder's second straight two-RBI performance, as he raises his game to close out the regular season, Over 12 contests in September, Ortiz is batting .417 (15-for-36) with two doubles, two homers, five runs and eight RBI.

Abrams didn't play in Tuesday's game against the Phillies due to neck tightness, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Abrams has recorded multiple hits in each of his last three games, but neck issues prevented him from contributing to Washington's 6-3 win over the Phillies on Tuesday. The Nationals haven't indicated that the 25-year-old will need to spend time on the injured list due to the neck issue, but Nasim Nunez could be in line to make additional starts at shortstop if Abrams' injury continues to bother him.

Tovar isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against San Diego.

Tovar will pick up a day off Tuesday after going 8-for-25 (.320) with a homer and seven runs scored through his first 10 games in September. Cole Carrigg will move to shortstop as a result, while Zac Veen, Jake McCarthy and Troy Johnston will start across the outfield.

Abrams is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Phillies.

Abrams started Washington's first 11 games of September but will take a seat Tuesday after posting a .655 OPS during that stretch. Nasim Nunez is manning shortstop and batting ninth for the Nationals versus Philadelphia lefty Cristopher Sanchez.

Pratt is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Pirates due to illness, Sophia Minnaert of Brewers.tv reports.

Pratt manned shortstop for the past nine contests for the Brewers but will take a seat in Tuesday's series opener because he's under the weather. Consider him day-to-day. Joey Ortiz will play shortstop and will bat eighth.

The Mets claimed Cairo off waivers and optioned him to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Philadelphia designated Cairo for assignment over the weekend, and he'll now join a division rival. The 25-year-old was added to Philadelphia's 40-man roster at the end of spring training but stayed at Triple-A Lehigh Valley all season, where he had a .224/.376/.296 slash line and 90:76 BB:K in 128 games.

De La Cruz went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 4-1 loss to the Dodgers.

De La Cruz mashed his sixth homer and 10th extra-base hit in the last nine games, which is the latest in a longer stretch of offense from the shortstop. Over the last 21 contests, De La Cruz has a .419/.468/.767 slash line with nine doubles, seven home runs, three steals, 15 RBI and 21 runs scored.

Saggese went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Monday's 2-1 win over the Giants.

Saggese is up to four steals on the year, including three over his last 10 games. He has gone 12-for-36 (.333) in that span, and he got a look in the leadoff spot Monday while Bryan Torres received a day off. Saggese is now batting .268 with a .738 OPS, four home runs, 12 RBI, 23 runs scored, five doubles and one triple over 140 plate appearances in the majors this season.