MLB Player News

Pena went 4-for-5 with three home runs and six RBI on Monday for the Mets' Dominican Summer League affiliate.

Signed for $5 million in January -- the second-highest bonus given to any player in the 2025 international signing period, behind Roki Sasaki's $6.5 million -- the 17-year-old Pena is already showcasing his prodigious power potential. Per Brendan Samson of MLB.com, Pena is the only player to record two three-homer performances in his first season of professional baseball since 2005, and one of only six players younger than 18 to have even one such game during that time. Through 54 contests for the Mets' DSL squad, Pena is slashing .299/.423/.540 with nine homers, 21 steals in 25 attempts and more walks (35) than strikeouts (33).

Kelly is out of the lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the Brewers.

Reese McGuire will draw the start behind the dish for the first game of the day, but Kelly should form a battery with starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (calf) in the second contest of the twin bill. Kelly continues to uphold an excellent .819 OPS on the season, but his production has tailed off a bit thus far in August, as the veteran backstop is slashing .256/.347/.256 through 14 games.

Hoerner is out of the lineup for the opening game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Brewers.

After double-play partner Dansby Swanson received a rare rest day in Monday's 7-0 loss to Milwaukee, Hoerner will take a seat for the first game of the day and the second contest of a five-game set with the NL Central leaders. Willi Castro will step in at second base in place of Hoerner, who had started in every game dating back to April 8.

Acosta went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in Monday's loss to the Cardinals.

The one-time Rangers prospect showed plenty of nerves in his big-league debut, as he also committed an error at second base, but Acosta has done well just to get this far after undergoing thoracic outlet surgery in 2021 that derailed his development. The 22-year-old was hitting just .236 at Triple-A Jacksonville prior to his promotion, but 13 homers and 28 steals in 106 games highlights his fantasy potential should he ever earn a full-time role in the majors. For now, he'll offer the Marlins infield depth while Javier Sanoja covers third base in place of Graham Pauley (oblique) and Connor Norby (wrist).

Wagaman went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Monday's loss to the Cardinals.

Getting the start at first base against Matthew Liberatore and batting sixth, Wagaman took the St. Louis southpaw deep in the fourth inning. Wagaman has hit safely in four straight games and homered in back-to-back contests, giving him eight long balls on the year in 417 plate appearances to go with a tepid .236/.285/.369 slash line, and the bulk of his playing time for the remainder of the season will likely come in a short-side platoon role.

Pauley is expected to miss about four weeks after straining his right oblique over the weekend, MLB.com reports.

That timeline would have the third baseman out until mid-September, and it's possible the Marlins end up shutting him down completely if his recovery has any hiccups. Pauley has slashed .273/.385/.527 over 25 games since the All-Star break with four home runs and an impressive 10:11 BB:K, but his prolonged absence could give Connor Norby (wrist) a chance to reclaim the starting job at the hot corner heading into 2026. While both players remain on the shelf for the time being, Javier Sanoja will likely see the bulk of the playing time at third base.

The Cubs optioned Hollowell to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

He was technically up as the 27th man for what was supposed to be a doubleheader Monday versus the Brewers, though the second game got rained out. Hollowell was roughed up for four runs over two innings in the first game Monday and is now headed back to Iowa.

The Cubs recalled Cosgrove from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Cosgrove will join the Cubs ahead of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Brewers, though it's unclear if he or another player will be sent back to Iowa once the twin bill concludes and Chicago needs to reduce its active roster to 26 men. The 29-year-old southpaw reliever has made just two appearances in the majors this season but has seen ample usage for Iowa, logging a 4.66 ERA and 1.65 WHIP while striking out 47 batters across 38.2 innings over 33 outings.

The Cubs optioned Little to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Little's stint in the majors lasted only one day, and he allowed one unearned run while fanning four over two innings of relief in Monday's 7-0 loss to the Brewers. The big left-hander is being replaced on the active roster by Tom Cosgrove, who was recalled from Triple-A.

Hoskins (thumb) will report to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment.

Hoskins progressed to on-field hitting and defensive work last week, and after he experienced no setbacks in his recovery from a Grade 2 left thumb sprain while increasing his activity, the Brewers gave him the green light to play minor-league games. Given that he's been on the shelf since July 7, Hoskins will likely stay on assignment with Nashville at least through the weekend to stockpile at-bats and regain his timing at the plate. Prior to getting hurt, Hoskins had been serving as the Brewers' everyday first baseman, but he may have to settle for more of a part-time role upon his return while Andrew Vaughn (.920 OPS since the All-Star break) has thrived as his primary replacement in the Milwaukee lineup.