MLB Player News

Hoerner (hamstring) remains on track for activation when first eligible Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Hoerner went through more workouts on Monday, including baserunning drills, and came out of it feeling good. Barring a setback, it would appear he'll skip a rehab assignment and return in time for the Cubs' weekend series in Philadelphia.

Hoerner (hamstring) went through baserunning drills Monday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Hoerner took part in other drills over the weekend, but the fact that he's already doing some baserunning less than a week after suffering a left hamstring strain is a good sign. He's eligible to return from the 10-day injured list Friday and would seem to have a realistic shot to be ready to go on that day.

Miller is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals.

Miller had started in each of the past four games, with two apiece coming against left-handed and right-handed pitchers. Though he's currently in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak and is now slashing .314/.338/.443 on the season, Miller looks as though he'll remain in a utility role for the time being, with the majority of his starts coming versus southpaws.

The Nationals optioned Alu to Triple-A Rochester on Monday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

After being called up from Rochester last Monday, Alu received three starts in left field during a five-game stretch, going a collective 1-for-9 with a walk and a stolen base. However, with lefty-hitting Corey Dickerson (calf) returning from the 10-day injured list Monday and presumably in line to reclaim a strong-side platoon role in left field, the Nationals won't have regular playing time available for Alu and will send him back to Triple-A as a result. The righty-hitting Stone Garrett remains with the Nationals and should serve as Dickerson's primary platoon mate.

McNeil will start at second base and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Nationals.

The Mets are facing a lefty (Patrick Corbin) in the series finale, but the lefty-hitting McNeil usually bats fifth or sixth even against southpaws. McNeil is sporting just a .487 OPS thus far in May, so the downturn in production could explain his drop in the lineup.

Bae went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Sunday's game against Baltimore.

Bae delivered a single that drove in two in the third inning of Sunday's win. After previously slipping into a reserve role, Bae has now started three consecutive games and four of the last five at second base for Pittsburgh. Playing time has opened after Mark Mathias was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis while Tucupita Marcano has primarily played at shortstop in recent contests. Bae has only a .623 OPS across 117 plate appearances for the season, though he's relevant in category leagues thanks to his 14 stolen bases.

Turang went 1-for-3 with a three-run homer in Sunday's 9-6 win over the Royals.

Turang took Jose Cuas deep to center in the third to cap off a seven-run inning by the Brewers. The long ball was his third of the year and just his first since April 17. Turang has picked it up some at the plate after he was slumping for a good majority of April. Over 11 games in May, he's slashing .313/.371/.438 with three RBI, five runs and a 3:10 BB:K. The 23-year-old has seen the majority of his starts come against right-handers while Owen Miller has primarily filled in against lefties.

Stott went 2-for-5 with a stolen base in Sunday's 4-0 loss to the Rockies.

This was Stott's second straight multi-hit effort, and he's picked up two steals over his last four games. The second baseman hit safely in 17 straight contests to begin the season, but he's cooled dramatically in May, batting .179 (7-for-39) through 10 games this month. He's still at a solid .284/.316/.370 slash line with two home runs, five steals, 12 RBI and 12 runs scored through 38 contests overall.

Alu will start in left field and bat fifth in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Mets, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Alu will start for the third time in the past five games, with all coming against right-handed pitchers. Even though he bats from the right side, Alu has ceded the last two starts against southpaws to fellow right-handed hitter Stone Garrett, so the two players could end up forming a non-traditional platoon in left field. Since his call-up from Triple-A Rochester on Monday, Alu has gone 1-for-7 with a walk and a stolen base.

San Francisco optioned Villar to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Villar hadn't seen consistent playing time thus far in May, and his outlook wasn't going to improve after Brandon Crawford (calf) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Sunday. As a result, the Giants elected to send Villar back to Triple-A so he can receive everyday at-bats.