MLB Player News

Rodgers went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored Thursday against the Nationals.

Rodgers extended his hitting streak to 13 games and has at least one hit in 18 of his 20 starts in May. In that span, he's also recorded two home runs, 17 RBI and 13 runs scored. After a very slow start, Rodgers' line has crept up to .242/.284/.348 across 141 plate appearances on the season.

Urias went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in a 4-3 win over St. Louis on Thursday.

Urias got Milwaukee off to a quick start, slugging a solo shot off Adam Wainwright to get the scoring started in the first inning. The long ball was the infielder's fourth this month and second in his past five games. Urias is slashing .267/.371/.440 through 89 plate appearances on the season.

Hoerner went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's loss to the Reds.

Chicago fell 20-5, so Hoerner's third home run of the season was of little consequence. It's still good to see the shortstop go deep in his second game back from the injured list after missing two weeks with a right ankle sprain. The 25-year-old is expected to be the primary shortstop moving forward for the 18-26 Cubs, with the veteran Andrelton Simmons working in more of a reserve role.

Garcia (wrist) is starting Thursday's game at Triple-A Rochester.

Garcia hyperextended his left arm during a collision at first base Tuesday, but he'll be back in action after missing just one game. The 22-year-old is slashing .331/.387/.576 with eight homers, 35 runs, 27 RBI and a stolen base in Rochester this year and will likely be in consideration for a call-up soon.

Rojas (hand) is starting Thursday against the Dodgers.

Rojas was available off the bench if needed during Tuesday's series finale against the Royals, but he remained off the field for a third consecutive game due to his bruised left hand. However, he'll start at the hot corner and bat second during Thursday's matchup.

Gorman is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Gorman has started four of five games since being promoted late last week, and he'll take a seat for Thursday's series opener. The 22-year-old is off to a strong start through 20 plate appearances with a .294/.400/.412 slash line. Tommy Edman will shift to the keystone while Edmundo Sosa starts at shortstop.

Hoerner will be the Cubs' primary shortstop going forward, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Hoerner, who is starting at the six and batting eighth Thursday against the Reds, was activated from the injured list Wednesday and the expectation is that he will get the reps at shortstop while Andrelton Simmons starts at second base or comes off the bench most days. The Cubs are using this year as an audition for Hoerner to show he can stay healthy and stay productive, before the team potentially eyes up a big free-agent signing at the position this offseason. Hoerner is hitting .278/.300/.402 with two home runs and two steals in 30 games.

McNeil was removed from Wednesday's game against the Giants due to a left knee contusion, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

McNeil made a sliding catch in left field in the bottom of the third inning Wednesday but was shaken up since he crashed into the side wall. He was initially able to remain in the game but was replaced by a pinch hitter in the top of the fourth. The 30-year-old went 0-for-1 prior to his departure and will have at least one day to recover since the Mets have a scheduled day off Thursday. If McNeil is forced to miss any additional time, Luis Guillorme should see an uptick in at-bats at second base.

The Cubs reinstated Hoerner (ankle) from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hoerner's return to the 26-man active roster comes as somewhat of a surprise, as the expectation was that he would require a brief minor-league rehab assignment before being activated after he had been sidelined for the past two weeks with a right ankle sprain. The Cubs evidently felt encouraged enough by how Hoerner looked in a full workout earlier this week to activate him, but the 25-year-old may have to settle for a utility role now that he's ostensibly healthy again. Hoerner will be on the bench for Wednesday's game against the Reds, as the hot-hitting Christopher Morel gets a look at second base while the defensive-minded Andrelton Simmons mans shortstop.

Estrada will start at second base and bat fifth in Wednesday's game against the Mets, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Tommy La Stella's return from the injured list last week looked as though it would cost Estrada an everyday role, but that has yet to come to fruition. In fact, Estrada will make his ninth consecutive start Sunday, all of which have come at second base while La Stella has served exclusively as a designated hitter or third baseman since being activated. Estrada has done his part to ensure that La Stella nor anyone else encroaches on his role, as he's slashed .414/.469/.517 over his previous eight starts.