MLB Player News

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

The steal was his seventh of the season and his first since June 1, but Albies' fantasy investors are more worried about his power drought. The veteran second baseman hasn't gone yard in 22 games, a stretch in which he's slashing just .183/.272/.244 with three doubles, a triple, five runs and five RBI. His average exit velocity in 2025 of 86.7 mph is his lowest mark since 2020 and ranks in the 11th percentile in MLB, while his hard-hit rate of 26.7 percent sits in the fourth percentile.

Pham went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and two runs scored Monday against the Brewers.

Pham has had a disastrous season in Pittsburgh, and he finally managed to slug his first home run of the campaign in the fourth inning Monday. He had recorded only four extra-base hits across his first 51 games entering Sunday's contest against the Rangers, but he has combined for three extra-base hits in the two contests since. Pham has lost his starting role in left field to a combination of Adam Frazier and Alexander Canario, though this brief hot stretch could earn him some additional looks in the lineup.

The Pirates will option Stratton to Triple-A Indianapolis prior to Tuesday's game against the Brewers, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Stratton was roughed up for three runs over an inning Monday in Milwaukee and will head back to the minors a day after the appearance. It's not yet clear who the Pirates will be adding to the roster in Stratton's place.

Kiner-Falefa went 1-for-3 with a triple, an RBI and a walk Monday against the Brewers.

Kiner-Faelfa delivered the game-winning run on an RBI triple in the sixth inning, his first extra-base hit since June 10. He's had a tough month, going 13-for-64 with five RBI, one stolen base and one run scored across 20 games. Despite the struggles, Kiner-Falefa remains the Pirates' everyday shortstop.

Martinez struck out one over a scoreless seventh inning to earn a hold in Monday's 6-1 win over the Yankees.

Martinez, who opened the season in the Reds' rotation, made a second consecutive appearance as a reliever. He served as a bulk-inning reliever in a bullpen game Saturday, while Monday's outing was a traditional relief appearance. Martinez is scheduled to start Friday against the Padres, but he may not be long for the rotation. The organization has prospect Chase Burns going Tuesday, and at some point, Hunter Greene (groin) and Rhett Lowder (forearm) will return. This could be the start of Martinez transitioning to the bullpen.

Marte (oblique) will shift his rehab assignment to Double-A Chattanooga on Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Marte begin his rehab assignment last weekend in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, where he played two partial games at third base and one full game at designated hitter. Oblique injuries can be tricky, so Marte may still require several more games in the minors at Double-A and Triple-A Louisville before the Reds activate him from the injured list. Once reinstated, Marte could slot back in as the primary third baseman for the Reds.

Perdomo batted leadoff and went 2-for-4 with two walks, a double, one RBI and two runs scored in Monday's 10-0 win over the White Sox.

Perdomo batted leadoff for a second straight game, as the Diamondbacks are without Corbin Carroll (hand), who is expected to be placed on the 10-day injured list. That means Perdomo will likely replace Carroll as the leadoff hitter against right-handers, while Ketel Marte maintains his role atop the order against lefties. Perdomo has experienced a slight downturn during June -- he's batting .190 (15-for-79) with a .624 OPS -- but he's contributed seven extra-base hits, 11 RBI and 12 runs scored over 20 contests.

Vargas went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Monday's 10-0 win over the White Sox.

Vargas entered the game in the bottom of the first inning after Eugenio Suarez was hit on the hand in the top of frame. X-rays of Suarez's hand came back negative, but it would not be a shock if he's held back Tuesday. This was the fourth consecutive appearance for Vargas, who started the previous three games while giving both Suarez and second baseman Ketel Marte a break from the field. Vargas has hit safely in all four contests, going 7-for-17 with three extra-base hits, three RBI and three runs scored.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Naylor (shoulder) is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday against the White Sox, Casey Drottar of MLB.com reports

Naylor went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI before being removed from Monday's 10-0 win in the fourth inning after injuring his right shoulder on a swing in the second inning. Should Naylor be unavailable Tuesday, Pavin Smith would likely fill in at first base against Chicago right-hander Jordan Leasure.

Tawa entered Monday's game at first base in the fourth inning and went 0-for-2. He replaced Josh Naylor (shoulder), who injured his right shoulder following an awkward swing in the second inning.

As the Diamondbacks were facing a right-hander, Pavin Smith was already in the game as the designated hitter, so Arizona manager Torey Lovullo went with Tawa. The manager told Casey Drottar of MLB.com that Naylor plans to return to the field Tuesday.