MLB Player News

Rodgers (hamstring) continues to progress toward a return from the injured list, and he began running Thursday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Postreports.

Rodgers has been sidelined since March 1 with a hamstring strain. While his return has been slow, there have been no reports of a setback. There is still no timetable for Rodgers' return, but he has already taken batting practice and done fielding drills.

Lux is out of the lineup for Thursday's game in Milwaukee, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

With a lefty (Eric Lauer) on the mound for the Brewers, Lux will sit in favor of Sheldon Neuse, who picks up a start at second base. After being activated from the 10-day injured list Monday, Lux started in all three of the Dodgers' games against Cincinnati to begin the week, going 1-for-12 with six strikeouts.

Hoerner will start at second base and bat eighth Thursday against Atlanta.

Though shortstop Javier Baez (hamstring) is back from a three-game absence, Hoerner will stick in the lineup by shifting over to the other middle-infield spot. Hoerner is now in the starting nine for the seventh game in a row after producing a 1.030 OPS over the first six contests. He could end up unseating the struggling David Bote as the Cubs' everyday second baseman.

Mendick was recalled from the alternate training site to serve as the 27th man in Thursday's doubleheader against the Tigers.

Mendick was sent down by the White Sox on Sunday, but he'll return to the major-league club on a short-term basis for Thursday's twin bill. The 27-year-old appeared in eight games to begin the year and went 6-for-21 with two RBI, two runs and a 5:5 BB:K. He'll likely return to the team's alternate camp following the doubleheader.

Torres went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 7-0 victory over Baltimore.

After starting the season by going exactly 1-for-4 in seven consecutive games, Torres' numbers have gotten no better, with his average now at .233 and Wednesday's RBI just his third of 2021. That said, Torres has recorded multiple hits in consecutive games and, much like his team, appears ready to turn the corner and put his early season struggles behind him. However, his power is still missing in action, as he hit just three homers last year and has yet to hit one in 2021 after launching 38 in 2019.

Albies went 3-for-5 with a double, a solo home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 10-0 rout of the Cubs.

The second baseman capped Atlanta's offensive eruption by taking Alec Mills deep in the fifth inning for his fourth homer of the year. Albies has found his groove at the plate, going 9-for-26 (.346) over the last seven games with four doubles and two home runs.

Rojas started in right field and went 0-for-4 in Wednesday's 12-3 loss to the Padres.

The Diamondbacks placed Kole Calhoun (hamstring) on the injured list Wednesday and will need fill-ins for the next 10 days at minimum. That means Rojas, who made a leaping catch against the fence to rob Fernando Tatis of a home run, could be part of the outfield rotation in the near term. He'll split time with Pavin Smith as well as Daulton Varsho, who was summoned from the alternate camp Wednesday to help fill out an outfield missing Calhoun, Ketel Marte (hamstring) and Tim Locastro (finger).

Polanco went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored during Wednesday's 10-2 win at Cleveland.

The 27-year-old received his first off day of the season Tuesday and rejoined the lineup Wednesday with his first homer of 2021. Polanco has a .193/.258/.265 slash line with three doubles, two stolen bases, 10 RBI and 11 runs scored through 22 games.

Haggerty is starting at second base and batting sixth Wednesday in Houston. He has now started five of the last six games.

Dylan Moore is slumping, and meanwhile, Haggerty is hitting .429 with one home run, two steals and a 4:3 K:BB over his last six games (14 at-bats). It appears Seattle is going to play the hot hand at the keystone, and right now that's Haggerty, whose speed makes him noteworthy in deeper roto leagues.

Rosario went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and an additional run scored during Wednesday's 10-2 loss to Minnesota.

The 25-year-old delivered two extra-base hits and scored both of Cleveland's runs Wednesday, as the rest of the offense managed only three singles and one walk. Rosario is seeing most of his playing time in center field and has a .175/.257/.302 slash line with two home runs, two doubles four RBI and nine runs in 21 games this season.