MLB Player News

Garcia went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored for Double-A Harrisburg on Friday.

The Nats' No. 2 fantasy prospect won't turn 20 until next May, a vitally important context to consider before dismissing him as a flop for his .590 OPS on the year. Garcia's found his form at the plate in June, though, slashing .330/.358/.398 through 24 games on the month, and while he still isn't supplying a lot of power or speed, his athletic profile suggests he'll provide both once he matures. Trea Turner is entrenched at shortstop and Carter Kieboom is next in line at second base, so the club can afford to be patient with Garcia.

Diaz went 4-for-4 with a walk, two doubles, a home run, two runs scored, four RBI and a stolen base for Triple-A New Orleans on Friday.

The 23-year-old seems fully recovered from the sore knee which cost him a couple games at the beginning of the week. Diaz is slashing .297/.384/.558 with 17 homers and 51 RBI over 76 contests for New Orleans this year, and with Starlin Castro almost certainly playing his final season for Miami one way or another, Diaz could be the team's starting second baseman by Opening Day in 2020, if not sooner.

Marte could play center field Saturday for the first time since returning from a two-game absence due to a groin injury, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Marte has been cleared for infield duty only -- he's started four games at second base since his return -- but will seek medical clearance for the outfield. "We told him to be careful (the first game back)," Lovullo said. "I think with each day that's passed he's got a lot closer to being himself." Marte, who went 0-for-5 on Friday, is batting .412 (7-for-17) over the four games since his return.

Franklin was released by the Pirates on Friday.

He hit .193 with three home runs in 136 plate appearances this year at Triple-A. This may be the end of the road for the 28-year-old second baseman.

Semien went 2-for-4 with an RBI single in a loss to the Angels on Thursday.

Semien once again served as a catalyst out of the leadoff spot, churning out his first multi-hit effort since June 19 in the process. The veteran shortstop is hitting .299 overall in June, a resurgent month following a middling May during which he hit a forgettable .206. Semien has also compiled 16 RBI since the calendar flipped, easily his best monthly figure in that category this season.

Kemp entered Thursday's game after left fielder Yordan Alvarez was removed due to a knee injury, going 1-for-3 in a 10-0 loss to the Pirates.

Kemp entered the game in the fourth inning after Alvarez aggravated a leg injury while chasing down a flyball. Alvarez was coping with discomfort after fouling a ball of his left leg Tuesday but was able to continue on as the designated hitter. If Alvarez can't play Friday, expect to see Michael Brantley, who was the DH on Thursday, slot in at left field instead of Kemp.

Edwards went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and three runs scored for Low-A Fort Wayne on Thursday.

Edwards has been raking for the TinCaps all season, but this performance was notable in that he homered in the fourth inning, marking his first long ball at any professional level. Despite the lack of power, he's hit very well throughout his minor-league career, as he's slashing .336/.414/.400 since he was drafted in 2018. If Thursday's long ball is a sign he's set to add more power to his game, it would be a big addition to his profile, as he's already clearly a skilled offensive prospect.

Albies went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in a loss to the Cubs on Thursday.

Albies plated the Braves' first run of the game with a single in the second inning, then produced their final run with a solo homer in the sixth. After hitting only one home run in May, the 22-year-old has now gone deep six times in June while hitting a healthy .330 (31-for-94). Overall this season, he is slashing .284/.345/.472 with 13 homers and 44 RBI in 324 at-bats.

Brujan was promoted to Double-A Montgomery on Thursday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Brujan earned a promotion after excelling in a 44-game return trip to High-A Charlotte, slashing .290/.357/.386 with 12 extra-base hits (eight doubles, two triples and a home run) and 24 stolen bases (in 29 attempts).

Short, who has been on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Iowa since mid-April due to a hand injury, began a rehab assignment with the Cubs' rookie-level Arizona League affiliate last week.

Short has gone 6-for-15 with two doubles and seven walks over five games. The 24-year-old infielder should soon be ready to test himself at a full-season affiliate before reclaiming an everyday role at Iowa.