MLB Player News

The Brewers optioned Miller to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Miller was recalled from Nashville earlier in May to provide depth as Rhys Hoskins (hamstring) headed to the injured list. Now that Hoskins is back, Miller will be pushed back to Triple-A. The 27-year-old infielder has slashed .185/.185/.222 across 27 big-league plate appearances this season, but he figures to be on the shortlist for a return to Milwaukee should the Brewers run into more depth issues.

The Brewers reinstated Hoskins (hamstring) from the injured list Friday.

Hoskins has been on the injured list since he strained his right hamstring during a game against Pittsburgh on May 13. He was originally expected to come off the IL during Milwaukee's upcoming road series in Philadelphia, but the slugging first baseman will instead return a few days early without playing in any rehab games. Hoskins should immediately return to a near-everyday role for the Brewers, though he may see more action as a DH as he gets his hamstring used to playing in games again. Owen Miller was optioned to Triple-A Nashville in a corresponding move.

Alonso (hand) is playing first and batting second during Friday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Alonso was hit by a pitch Wednesday, but after a clean CT scan and a day off Thursday, the first baseman will rejoin the Mets' starting nine. Alonso owns a .771 OPS and has the third most homers among first basemen this season with 12.

Busch is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Reds.

It sounds like the Cubs plan to play Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field more often after they recalled him from Triple-A Iowa on Thursday. That will mean more Cody Bellinger in right field and at first base, where he is playing Friday. Busch could have his playing time dip as a result. The rookie infielder had a stretch in mid-April when he homered in five straight games, but in 37 contests since then he's slashed just .202/.296/.316 with two homers and a 38.6 percent strikeout rate.

Meneses went 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored and two RBI in Thursday's win over Atlanta.

The 32-year-old has five hits in his last two games, and starting with a May 14 doubleheader against the Red Sox, Meneses is slashing .333/.385/.438 with two doubles, a homer and seven RBI over 13 contests. With the Nationals' lineup fully healthy again, Meneses will need to keep hitting if he wants to maintain regular playing time between first base and DH.

Alonso (hand) is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Diamondbacks.

Alonso managed to avoid any fractures after exiting Wednesday's game versus the Dodgers following a hit-by-pitch on the right hand. However, he is dealing with a painful bone bruise that will cause him to miss at least one start. Mark Vientos will handle first base Thursday while Brett Baty covers third base.

Hoskins (hamstring) could be activated as soon as this weekend's series versus the White Sox, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Hoskins has ramped up his running in recent days and is nearly ready to play in games. It's possible the Brewers will ask him to play a few rehab games with Single-A Wisconsin this weekend, and if that happens, it will set Hoskins up for a return Monday at his old stomping grounds in Philadelphia. Hoskins has missed the last two weeks of action with a right hamstring strain.

Alonso is day-to-day after a CT scan confirmed he didn't suffer a fracture when he was hit by a pitch in the right hand during Wednesday's 10-3 loss to the Dodgers, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports.

X-rays and now a CT scan have both come back negative, as Alonso has managed to avoid a serious injury and is dealing with a bone bruise to his right hand. It's possible he'll still miss a game or two if he remains sore, but the veteran first baseman looks poised to avoid a stint on the 10-day injured list.

Bell went 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored in Wednesday's win over the Padres.

Facing one of his former clubs, Bell racked up his second straight three-hit performance. The 31-year-old first baseman has been on a tear to close out May, slashing .340/.358/.500 over the last 12 games with five doubles, a homer and eight RBI. Bell's .689 OPS on the season is still below his usual level of production -- his lowest mark over a full campaign is .744, set last year -- but he's quickly closing the gap.

X-rays on Alonso's right hand came back negative Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The Mets won't be able to confirm whether or not Alonso avoided a fracture until the results of his CT scan come back Thursday, but a clean X-ray is certainly an encouraging sign. The 29-year-old remains day-to-day after getting hit in the hand by a 93-mph fastball during Wednesday's contest.