MLB Player News

Arraez (hamstring) is starting at second base and batting in the cleanup spot against the Mariners on Monday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Arraez was not in the lineup for the Phillies' series finale against the Cardinals on Sunday due to hamstring cramps, though he did enter the game in the eighth inning. Through 20 games in August, he has a .291 batting average (23-for-79) with two home runs, five doubles, 11 RBI and 11 runs scored.

Marte (knee) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of the Diamondbacks' series opener against the Phillies on Aug. 31, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Marte is increasing his baseball activities this week while recovering from left knee inflammation, which forced him to the IL last Thursday. The injury isn't considered a long-term issue, and the expectation is that the veteran second baseman will be available for the final month of the regular season. Ildemaro Vargas has been serving as the Diamondbacks' primary option at the keystone in Marte's absence over the past week.

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

Norby will head into the series opener in Washington, D.C. riding an eight-game hitting streak, during which he's batted .375 with one home run, one stolen base, five runs and two RBI. He'll be making his fourth start in six games and appears to have settled into a near-everyday role in the Colorado infield after third baseman Kyle Karros (concussion) played just two games before landing back on the 7-day injured list.

Stott left Sunday's game against the Cardinals in the eighth inning due to a right foot contusion, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Stott sustained the injury when he fouled a ball off the side of his foot in the sixth inning, but he remained in the game for the seventh before being pulled. X-rays on his foot were negative following the contest, and the Phillies will re-evaluate the infielder ahead of Monday's series opener in Seattle. Edmundo Sosa could draw the spot start at third base if Stott, who has taken over as Philadelphia's primary third baseman since the acquisition of Luis Arraez (hamstring) at the trade deadline, needs a day off to heal.

Ramirez went 3-for-6 with a home run, two additional runs scored and five total RBI in Sunday's 19-2 win over the Mariners.

Ramirez had a huge afternoon as he helped lead the Cubs to the blowout victory. The rookie infielder set a new career best with the five RBI, and he's looked comfortable overall in the majors with a .285 batting average and .767 OPS through 55 games. With Dansby Swanson (oblique) on the injured list, the Cubs have been using Nico Hoerner at shortstop, which has opened up regular time for Ramirez at second base. The 22-year-old is worth a look for however long his role remains elevated.

The Rockies recalled Ritter from Triple-A Albuquerque, and he's starting at second base and batting eighth Sunday against the Guardians.

The 25-year-old cracked Colorado's Opening Day roster but went 1-for-7 in just six games before being demoted to Triple-A. Ritter has enjoyed a productive season at Albuquerque with four homers, eight steals and a .325/.424/.459 slash line in 52 games. He's taking the roster spot of Kyle Karros, who was placed on the injured list with a concussion.

Arraez (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

The Phillies will give Arraez the day off after he made an early exit in Saturday's 12-3 win due to cramping near his hamstring. Interim manager Don Mattingly hasn't suggested that Arraez is dealing with anything more serious, so the 29-year-old is trending toward a return to the lineup Monday in Seattle. Bryson Stott will get the nod at second base while Arraez sits for the first time since the Phillies acquired him from the Giants on Aug. 3.

Marte (knee) is throwing and doing upper-body work at the Diamondbacks' spring training facility Saturday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Marte will add hitting to his rehab next week. The second baseman was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday and could rejoin the club Aug. 31, when the Diamondbacks open a homestand against the Phillies.

McLain went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and a second RBI in Saturday's 11-5 win over the Diamondbacks.

McLain has homered three times among nine hits over his last nine games, adding seven RBI and two steals in that span. The second baseman is inching closer to the Mendoza Line -- he's now hitting .198 with a .658 OPS on the year. He's added 13 homers, 35 RBI, 47 runs scored, 17 doubles and 15 stolen bases over 106 contests.

Norby went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a strikeout during Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Guardians.

Norby rocketed a solo shot off Cade Smith in the bottom of the ninth for his first homer as a Rockies player. Norby entered the game late after taking over for Kyle Karros in the sixth. The 26-year-old Norby extended his hitting streak to seven games, one short of his season high that he recorded in April with Miami. This year, Norby has slashed .215/.321/.351 with five long balls, 18 RBI and eight stolen bases over 265 plate appearances.