MLB Player News

The Padres recalled Hart from Triple-A El Paso on Sunday.

Right-hander David Morgan is scheduled to serve as the opening pitcher for Sunday's game in Minnesota, but Hart could be tasked with covering multiple innings behind him. Hart previously made six starts for the Padres and nine for El Paso this season, but he's worked largely in relief since the All-Star break. The southpaw hasn't covered more than three innings in any appearance in August, so the Padres could end up treating this as more of a bullpen game rather than leaning on Hart as a bulk reliever.

Burns (elbow) threw a bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.

The session simulated Burns working multiple innings. The tentative next step for the right-hander is to face hitters in a batting practice session Tuesday. The Reds still believe Burns can pitch again before the end of the regular season, but there's no firm target date for his return.

Iglesias will start at shortstop and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Twins.

With Xander Bogaerts landing on the injured list Friday due to a non-displaced left foot fracture, Iglesias has gained some traction in the San Diego infield. The 35-year-old will pick up his fourth consecutive start Sunday after going 3-for-12 with an RBI and a run scored over the previous three contests.

Clement (finger/shin) will start at third base and bat sixth Sunday against the Brewers.

Clement was held out of the starting nine the past couple days due to a hairline finger fracture and a laceration to his left shin, but he's ready to rejoin the lineup for Sunday's series finale. The 29-year-old's average has dipped in August as he's batting .247 in 24 games, though he still has a .729 OPS this month thanks to four home runs.

Alexander started at third base and went 2-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and two runs scored in Saturday's 6-1 win over the Dodgers.

Alexander is swinging a hot bat right now, going 6-for-14 with two doubles, two home runs, four RBI and six runs scored over a four-game hit streak. A day after manager Torey Lovullo discussed Alexander's role -- shifting from primary third baseman to a utility role -- he was back at the hot corner against a right-hander. Lovullo talked to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports on Friday about having Jordan Lawlar playing the left side of the infield but added that would be against lefties and certain righties. As both Alexander and Lawlar are right-handed batters, this won't be a traditional platoon situation.

Gonzalez will start at second base and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Gonzalez will stick in the lineup for a fourth straight game, occupying the keystone for the first time during that stretch as Nathaniel Lowe returns from the paternity list. Though Gonzalez has been at his best against left-handed pitching this season with a .977 OPS in 122 plate appearances, he's been serviceable against righties with a .273/.296/.414 slash line over 135 PAs. The Red Sox could prioritize Gonzalez over David Hamilton at second base until Wilyer Abreu (calf) returns from the injured list, which would push Ceddanne Rafaela to the infield on a more frequent basis.

Marte started at designated hitter and went 1-for-3 in Saturday's 6-1 win over the Dodgers.

Marte served as the DH for a second consecutive game, which could become a normal deployment over the final month of the season, per Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. Manager Torey Lovullo indicated that Jordan Lawlar would stick at third base down the stretch while Blaze Alexander shifted into a super-utility player. That opens up the possibility of using Alexander at second base and reducing the wear and tear on Marte while maintaining his bat in the lineup as the DH. Additionally, utility infielder Ildemaro Vargas, who started at second base and homered Saturday, is also around to give Marte a break.

Hamilton is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Though Hamilton has posted a 1.053 OPS in six games since being called up from Triple-A Worcester on Aug. 21, the Red Sox aren't yet ready to give him consistent playing time. He'll be on the bench for a second straight matchup with a right-handed starter (Mitch Keller), clearing the way for Romy Gonzalez to shift from first base to the keystone in Nathaniel Lowe's return from the paternity list.

The Royals optioned Kolek to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

The right-hander was called up for a spot start Saturday and allowed just one run over six innings in a no-decision against Detroit, but he won't stick on the big-league roster with Michael Wacha returning from the paternity list Sunday. Kolek could rejoin the big club down the stretch, but he may have a difficult time finding a spot in the Kansas City rotation while all of Wacha, Seth Lugo, Michael Lorenzen, Noah Cameron and Ryan Bergert are available.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that Smith (quadriceps) is "trending toward" missing the remainder of the season, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Smith landed on the 10-day injured list Friday with a quad strain suffered Wednesday. His absence opens up playing time at first base and designated hitter. Tyler Locklear has started at first base in the two games since Smith sustained the injury, while Ketel Marte has operated as the DH.