MLB Player News

The Nationals recalled Alu from Triple-A Rochester on Monday.

Alu hasn't done much so far this season with Rochester, batting .247/.322/.377 with two homers through 21 games. He was excellent between Double-A Harrisburg and Rochester in 2022, though, with an .871 OPS, 20 dingers and 15 steals. Alu can play all over the field and should operate in a super-utility role with the Nats. He'll be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game.

Vargas is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Brewers, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

After closing the Dodgers' weekend series in San Diego with an 0-for-8 showing at the dish over the final two games, Vargas will get a chance to rest Monday. Mookie Betts will move from the outfield to cover second base while Vargas hits the bench for the first time since April 27.

Donovan is starting in left field and batting sixth for the Cardinals on Monday versus the Cubs, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

The trickle-down effect of the Cards' bizarre decision to move Willson Contreras off catcher means Donovan will play a lot more in the outfield while Nolan Gorman handles second base. However, when Tyler O'Neill (back) returns it will create another logjam.

Bae (ankle) is not in the starting lineup Monday against the Rockies.

Bae will remain on the bench for a third straight game as he continues to nurse an ankle injury. With left-hander Kyle Freeland on the mound for Colorado, it's possible Bae wouldn't be in the lineup regardless of health. Rodolfo Castro will take over at second base while Chris Owings will draw the start at shortstop and bat eighth in the series opener.

The Pirates optioned Mathias to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Mathias will cede his spot on the active roster to fellow right-handed-hitting utility player Chris Owings, who was called up from Triple-A. He's managed just a .695 OPS in 15 games with the Bucs this season.

Gorman went 0-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 12-6 win over the Tigers.

Gorman returned to the starting lineup Sunday after making consecutive appearances off the bench due to lower-back tightness. The 23-year-old reached in the sixth, stole second and scored in what wound up being a seven-run inning for the Cardinals. For the year, Gorman is slashing .255/.347/.510 with seven homers, 23 RBI, 10 runs, three steals and a 14:32 BB:K over 118 plate appearances. He has only made starts against right-handers so far.

Donovan went 2-for-3 with a three run homer in Sunday's 12-6 win over the Tigers.

Donovan supplied what wound up being the game-winning run for the Cardinals after a three-run blast in the sixth put them up on the Tigers, 7-6. The long ball was his first since April 2 and his third overall on the year. Donovan his primarily started against righties only this season and may be in and out of the lineup this week with the Cardinals scheduled to face three lefties. For the year, the 26-year-old is slashing .268/.327/.392 with six extra base hits, nine RBI, 13 runs and a 7:20 BB:K over 107 plate appearances.

Rojas went 0-for-3 with three walks, a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 9-8 loss to the Nationals.

Rojas hadn't drawn a walk since April 23, and he hit just .190 (4-for-21) in that span. The infielder is still regularly hitting leadoff versus right-handed pitchers, but he has a modest .263/.315/.343 slash line through 111 plate appearances this season. He's added 18 BI, 16 runs scored and four stolen bases, but he's yet to hit a home run in 28 contests.

Garcia went 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, one RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 9-8 win over the Diamondbacks.

Garcia has shredded Arizona pitching this weekend, going 8-for-13 with a home run and two doubles over three games. He was hitting just .223 coming into the series, but he's now at .271 with a .737 OPS, three homers, 16 RBI, 13 runs scored and a stolen base through 29 contests on the season. He's adjusted well to being the No. 2 hitter over the last week or so.

Estrada went 3-for-5 with a solo home run in Sunday's 7-3 loss to the Brewers.

Estrada went deep in the ninth inning, but his long ball had no impact on the result. He's hit safely in five straight games (8-for-19), and he's homered in each of the last two contests. The infielder is slashing an excellent .346/.399/.543 with six homers, 14 RBI, 23 runs scored, nine stolen bases and seven doubles through 32 games as a near-everyday presence in the Giants' lineup.