MLB Player News

Schmitt went 4-for-6 with two home runs, three runs scored and three RBI in Friday's 18-3 rout of the Cubs.

The 27-year-old utility player was one of three Giants to go yard twice on the afternoon along with Matt Chapman and Willy Adames -- the third time in franchise history that's happened, after Reggie Sanders and two teammates did it in 2002, and a trio headlined by Hall of Famer Willie Mays accomplished it in 1956. Schmitt has already established a new career high with 15 homers on the season, and nine of them have come in his last 19 games -- a stretch in which he's batting .322 (28-for-87) with 14 runs and 20 RBI.

Moniak (ankle) has been cleared to begin baseball activities, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports.

Manager Warren Schaeffer said Friday that Moniak resumed hitting off a tee during Colorado's series against the Angels, but the 28-year-old outfielder remains without a return timeline. He has been sidelined by right ankle tendinitis since late May and will likely embark on a rehab assignment before coming off the IL.

Adames went 2-for-2 with two walks, two home runs, four runs scored and four RBI in Friday's 18-3 rout of the Cubs.

Three different Giants hitters launched two long balls on the afternoon, with Adames' pair coming in the first inning off Edward Cabrera and in the sixth off Hoby Milner. Adames has 11 homers on the season, with eight of them coming in his last 17 games -- a stretch in which the shortstop is batting .297 (19-for-64) with 16 RBI and 17 runs.

Chapman went 2-for-3 with two home runs and eight RBI in Friday's 18-3 rout of the Cubs.

The veteran third baseman came into the game with just two long balls on the season, but he doubled that total with a grand slam in the fourth inning off Edward Cabrera and a three-run blast in the sixth off Ethan Roberts. Chapman added a sacrifice fly in the fifth. It's been a tough season so far for Chapman, but over his last 16 games he's batting .310 (18-for-58) with five doubles and three of his four homers, along with an 8:8 BB:K. He's averaged 23.8 home runs over the previous five years, and Friday's massive performance could signal to beginning of a summer surge.

Young isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Diamondbacks, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Young has tallied a base hit in each of Washington's last three games, but the team will keep him on the bench to begin Friday's series opener. Daylen Lile, Dylan Crews and James Wood will start across the outfield while Young sits.

Mead isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against Arizona, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Mead will get a day off Friday after going 10-for-37 (.270) with three homers, nine RBI and six runs over his last 10 games. Jorbit Vivas will pick up a start at the hot corner as a result and bat sixth.

Ray (4-6) picked up the win Friday, allowing two hits and five walks over five scoreless innings in an 18-3 rout of the Cubs. He struck out four.

The veteran lefty had a little trouble finding the plate, tossing just 57 of 97 pitches for strikes, but Chicago hitters managed only two singles off Ray when he did get the ball into the zone, and his offense gave him a month's worth of run support in one afternoon. It's the first time since May 8 that Ray has lasted at least five innings in a start, and he'll take a 4.12 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 63:36 K:BB over 67.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Nationals.

Millas (lip) will start at catcher and bat eighth Friday against the Diamondbacks, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Millas left Tuesday's contest with an upper lip laceration but will return to the starting nine Friday to fill in for Keibert Ruiz as Washington's backstop. Millas hasn't found much success as a hitter this season, slashing just .181/.252/.277 across 105 plate appearances.

Ruiz isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against Arizona, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Ruiz will take a seat after going 1-for-7 with an RBI and two runs scored during Washington's series against Miami. Drew Millas will fill in behind the plate and bat eighth.

Vientos isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Padres.

Vientos will retreat to the bench for the third time in New York's last four games after posting just a .494 OPS across his last 10 contests. Jared Young will make another start at first base in Vientos' stead.