MLB Player News

Marte (back) served as a pinch hitter, went 0-for-1, and played the field for the final inning in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Mets.

Marte was held out of the starting lineup for the second consecutive day due to lower-back soreness, but Wednesday's activity suggests the issue is a minor one. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said following the game that the infielder was on track to start Thursday's series finale, per MLB.com.

Marte is out of the lineup Wednesday versus the Mets due to lower-back soreness, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

This back issue also explains his absence from Tuesday's series opener against New York, though there has been no indication that Marte will require a trip to the injured list. He could maybe return for Thursday's series finale. Geraldo Perdomo is playing second base for the Diamondbacks on Wednesday and Nick Ahmed will cover shortstop.

Marte remains absent from the lineup Wednesday versus the Mets.

Marte was also held out of Tuesday's series opener against New York, though there has been no report of any physical issue. Geraldo Perdomo is playing second base and batting leadoff for Arizona on Wednesday as Nick Ahmed covers shortstop and hits eighth.

Vargas remains out of the lineup Wednesday versus the Pirates.

Vargas was also absent from the Dodgers' starting lineup Tuesday and went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts off the bench as his season slash line dipped to .195/.299/.367. Mookie Betts will draw another nod at second base Wednesday.

Turang is absent from the lineup Wednesday versus the Cubs.

Andruw Monasterio is playing second base and batting eighth with the Cubs throwing southpaw Justin Steele. The left-handed-hitting Turang has slashed just .204/.255/.304 across 204 total major-league plate appearances this year and stands 2-for-25 (.080) against left-handed pitching.

Donovan (arm) is serving as the Cardinals' designated hitter and batting leadoff Wednesday versus the Marlins.

Donovan will be on a no-throw program through the All-Star break as he battles through some arm pain, but he's able to swing the bat without issue and will function as the Cardinals' tablesetter Wednesday in Miami. Nolan Gorman is covering second base and batting sixth.

Kim went 1-for-4 with a run and a stolen base Tuesday in an 8-5 win over the Angels.

Kim has settled in as San Diego's leadoff hitter, as he's batted atop the lineup in 10 of his past 11 starts. He's been more power than speed during that span, slashing .289/.377/.644 with five home runs, 10 RBI and Tuesday's theft. Nonetheless, Kim offers value in both areas -- he's already swiped a career-high 14 bags this season and is one shy of his career-best mark with 10 long balls. Kim's appeal as a leadoff hitter is further buoyed by his career-high 11.7 percent walk rate on the campaign.

Gonzales went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a walk, two RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's 9-7 win over the Dodgers.

He began his career with three hitless efforts, but he's now racked up three straight multi-hit games. Gonzales has showed solid power with two home runs, three doubles and a triple among his 11 hits through 11 games. He's added nine RBI and eight runs scored and should continue to split time between second base and shortstop while Ji Hwan Bae (ankle) is out.

Albies went 2-for-3 with a pair of home runs, a walk and three RBI in Tuesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Guardians.

Albies tied the game with each of his homers, which came in the fifth and ninth innings. The second baseman has gone deep four times over four games in July, upping his power again after he slugged seven long balls in 25 games in June. For the season, he's up to 22 homers, 63 RBI, 46 runs scored and six stolen bases while slashing .264/.318/.525 through 85 contests. His career high in homers is 30, which he established in 2021.

Vargas is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Pirates.

Mookie Betts will start at second base and bat leadoff versus the Pirates and right-hander Luis Ortiz. Vargas went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in Monday's series opener and is slashing just .197/.301/.369 through 294 plate appearances this season.