MLB Player News

Vargas (thigh) isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Nationals, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Vargas left Thursday's game with a thigh injury after a collision, and the D-backs will keep him out of action Friday to allow him to recover. His absence will allow LuJames Groover to make his MLB debut starting at first base and batting fifth.

The Diamondbacks optioned Fernandez to Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Fernandez's first stint in the majors resulted in a .255/.289/.352 batting line with three home runs, seven stolen bases and a 7:40 BB:K over 55 games. He's being sent out in favor of LuJames Groover.

Norby is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rays.

Norby is in a 3-for-34 slump at the plate, so he will get a day to regroup. Kyle Stowers will cover first base for the Marlins, and Esteury Ruiz is getting the call in left field.

Polanco (Achilles/wrist) will remain on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse through the weekend, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

The Mets previously hadn't ruled out a return for Polanco as soon as Friday in San Diego. However, the club has elected to wait to bring back the veteran infielder, likely targeting Tuesday versus the Cardinals at the start of a homestand. Polanco has been sidelined since mid-April with a right wrist contusion and left Achilles bursitis.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Vargas is day-to-day with a bruised left thigh and rib cage after colliding with Max Muncy in Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

While Vargas is considered day-to-day, Lovullo said Vargas is unlikely to play Friday against the Nationals. It's still good news after he and Muncy were involved in a big collision at first base in the fifth inning Thursday. Pavin Smith came on to replace Vargas at first base following his injury.

Vargas was removed from Thursday's game against the Dodgers in the fifth inning after colliding with Max Muncy at first base, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.

Muncy legged out an infield single in the top of the fifth, but he and Vargas violently collided at the bag. Both players spent several minutes on the ground before each was helped off the field. Pavin Smith has replaced Vargas at first base. Vargas went 0-for-2 at the plate before the injury.

Ortiz isn't expected to get promoted to the Nationals' big-league roster before at least the All-Star break, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Acquired from the Rangers this offseason as part of the MacKenzie Gore trade, Ortiz is tearing up Triple-A right now, hitting safely in 10 straight games with a .381/.438/.952 slash line, seven homers and 23 RBI over that stretch. The Nationals could use some left-handed power on their bench, but they prefer to let the 24-year-old first baseman continue to get regular playing time rather than bringing him up in a reserve role.

Horwitz went 3-for-5 in Wednesday's 11-9 loss to the Astros.

Horwitz's bat remains hot -- he hasn't been held hitless in consecutive games since April 30-May 1. He has gone 13-for-36 (.361) with three extra-base hits over his last nine contests, a span that includes five multi-hit performances. The infielder is now batting .291 with an .852 OPS, seven home runs, 26 RBI, 24 runs scored, eight doubles, one triple and one stolen base. While Horwitz doesn't offer much speed, he gets on base enough (.390 OBP) to be a quality leadoff hitter in the absence of shortstop Konnor Griffin (elbow).

Olson went 3-for-4 with two runs scored in Wednesday's 7-3 win over the Blue Jays.

Olson now has four multi-hit performances in his last six games as he continues his hot hitting. The first baseman has a .273/.348/.562 slash line and 17 home runs through 62 games this season. Olson is powering these stats by being in the 95th percentile of baseball in expected slugging (.549) and average exit velocity (93.5 mph).

Triple-A Lehigh Valley activated Anthony (toe) from the 7-day injured list Tuesday.

Following a rehab assignment with Single-A Clearwater and then High-A Jersey Shore, Anthony is back in action with the Triple-A club. Anthony, who missed about two months of play with a fractured toe, went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in his return to the IronPigs on Tuesday.