MLB Player News

Alexander started at second base and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Royals.

Alexander spelled Ketel Marte, who was given the day off, and made a third consecutive start. On Thursday, Alexander played second while Marte operated as the designated hitter, and the former started at third base Friday while Eugenio Suarez was the DH. Alexander is in line to take that utility fill-in role that had belonged to Tim Tawa, who was sent down to Triple-A Reno on Saturday to clear a roster spot for Corbin Carroll's return from a wrist injury.

Rojas went 2-for-2 with a home run and three total RBI in a loss to the Astros on Saturday.

Rojas plated three of the Dodgers' four runs in the contest, knocking an RBI single in the second inning and adding a two-run homer in the fourth. He's been displaying more than his usual amount of power of late, homering three times in 21 at-bats over his past 11 games. Rojas had gone deep just once over his first 41 contests, and he's never hit more than 11 home runs in an MLB season, so fantasy managers shouldn't see him as a reliable source of power.

Cronenworth went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run, an additional run and a walk Saturday in a loss to the Rangers.

Cronenworth logged the Padres' only extra-base hit with a two-run blast in the second inning. He added a single in the fourth frame for his first multi-hit effort over his past 13 games. It's been a grind for Cronenworth of late, as he's batting just .184 (7-for-38) over his past 12 contests. He does have three home runs and eight RBI over that span, though.

Sosa went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Reds.

Sosa belted his third homer of the campaign, also drawing the start at second base in favor the lefty-hitting Bryson Stott versus southpaw Nick Lodolo. As long as Philadelphia's infield stays healthy, the righty-hitting Sosa should continue to be used sparingly in a weak-side platoon role at the keystone. The 29-year-old utility man has been very effective in that role, hitting .361 (12-for-61) with three homers, three doubles and 10 RBI against left-handed pitching this season.

Marte isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Royals, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ketel has gone 4-for-12 with two home runs over his last three games but will retreat to the dugout for Saturday's contest, Blaze Alexander will take over at the keystone and bat ninth.

The Diamondbacks optioned Tawa to Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Tawa has struggled during his time in the majors, slashing .200/.262/.355 with six homers, 14 RBI, 21 runs scored and seven steals through 173 plate appearances. He'll be sent back to Triple-A in order to get back on track, clearing space on the roster for Corbin Carroll's (wrist) return from the injured list.

McNeil went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Friday's win over the Yankees.

Getting a start at second base and batting fifth, McNeil put the Mets in the lead by taking Luke Weaver deep in the seventh inning, then helping squelch a potential Yankees rally in the ninth with a spectacular defensive effort -- on a DJ LeMahieu flare headed for right field, McNeil raced to his left, reached out and snagged the ball on a bounce after it looked like it had gotten past him, and got up in time to record the out at first base. The 33-year-old continues to split his time between the keystone and center field, and since the beginning of June he's slashing .271/.336/.500 with six homers, 12 runs and 16 RBI in 27 contests.

Wisely went hit a solo home run in his lone at-bat in Friday's 11-2 loss to the Athletics.

Wisely's first homer of the year got the Giants on the board in the seventh inning. He's gone 6-for-21 (.286) across nine games during this stint in the majors, and three of his hits in that span have gone for extra bases. Even with modest success at the plate, Wisely's chance to carve out playing time at third base is likely to end Saturday when Matt Chapman (hand) comes off the injured list. Wisely can still push Tyler Fitzgerald for time at second base, but the former's versatility on defense makes him arguably more valuable as a bench bat.

Edman will begin playing third base against right-handed pitchers next week, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Edman has been logging time at second base and in center field this season, but the Dodgers are in need to a fill-in at the hot corner for at least the next six weeks while Max Muncy (knee) is out of action. Edman does have some experience at third, but his last time seeing action there during a regular-season contest was in 2022 when he was with St. Louis. Plunkett notes that Edman has been getting in reps at third base during practice and that Hyeseong Kim will move to second base on days when Los Angeles faces right-handed starters, while Miguel Rojas and Enrique Hernandez are expected to split work at the hot corner versus southpaws. From a fantasy perspective, Edman could gain eligibility at third base if he ends up being the Dodgers' primary option there against righties for as long as Muncy is out.

Tawa started at first base and went 0-for-3 in a 7-2 loss to the Giants.

Tawa filled in for Josh Naylor, who was held out against San Francisco lefty Robbie Ray. Naylor, who recently experienced neck stiffness, had just returned to the starting lineup Wednesday as the designated hitter, and the decision to sit him Thursday does not appear to be injury related. Tawa has gone hitless over his last 24 at-bats while striking 10 times (41.7 percent strikeout rate).