MLB Player News

Donovan went 1-for-4 with a grand slam and a walk in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Padres.

Donovan went 0-for-9 over his previous three games before lifting a seventh-inning grand slam that gave the Cardinals their margin of victory. He's hit just five home runs this year, but three of them have come in his last 15 contests, a span in which he's added seven RBI and 12 runs scored. The rookie utility man is slashing .279/.390/.377 with 44 RBI, 56 runs scored and two stolen bases through 115 games overall.

Espinal was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain Thursday.

Espinal was removed from Wednesday's game against the Phillies due to side discomfort, and he'll miss at least a week and a half after being diagnosed with an oblique strain. Cavan Biggio and Whit Merrifield should see increased playing time at second base in Espinal's absence, while Otto Lopez was called up to provide additional depth.

Rojas isn't starting Thursday against the Dodgers.

Rojas was already confirmed to be losing playing time due to his defensive woes, but it's not clear whether or not he's completely lost the primary role at third base. Nonetheless, he will be held out Thursday in favor of Sergio Alcantara, who will bat seventh.

Chavis isn't in the lineup Thursday against the Cubs, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Chavis has gone 0-for-12 with four strikeouts over the last four games, and he'll head to the bench for the third time in the last four matchups. Zack Collins is starting at first base and batting eighth.

Espinal (side) isn't starting Thursday against the Rays.

Espinal exited Wednesday's matchup against Philadelphia due to left side discomfort, and he'll be out of the lineup for at least one game. Cavan Biggio will take his place at the keystone and bat ninth.

Altuve (elbow) isn't in the lineup Thursday against Baltimore.

Altuve was removed from Wednesday's game after being hit in the elbow by a pitch, and he'll be held out of the lineup a day later. However, he underwent X-rays that came back negative and expects to play Friday against the Orioles, per Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle. Aledmys Diaz will draw the start at the keystone and bat seventh Thursday.

Hoerner (triceps) isn't in the lineup Thursday against Pittsburgh.

The Cubs have chosen not to place Hoerner on the injured list for now, but he'll be on the bench for a 10th consecutive game Thursday due to his triceps issue. However, he'll do work on the field ahead of the series opener versus the Pirates. Christopher Morel is starting at shortstop and batting ninth.

Estrada (elbow) is starting Thursday against Colorado.

Estrada wasn't in Wednesday's lineup due to an elbow injury, but he appeared off the bench and went 0-for-2 with a strikeout. The 26-year-old is starting at the keystone and batting third in Thursday's series finale.

Rodgers was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain Thursday, retroactive to Sept. 19.

Rodgers was slated to sit for a fourth consecutive game Thursday as he continues to deal with his hamstring injury, but the Rockies will choose to place him on the injured list to give him at least another week to recover. The 26-year-old recently underwent an MRI that revealed encouraging results, and the Rockies hope that he'll be able to return when he's first eligible Sept. 29, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports. Rodgers' move to the injured list makes room for Ezequiel Tovar on the Rockies' active roster.

Diaz went 2-for-2 with a walk and a run in a win over the Mariners on Wednesday.

The rookie drew the start at designated hitter and made good use of all three of his plate appearances. Diaz, who made his big-league debut Sunday, has enjoyed varying degree of success in each of the three games he's played thus far, going 3-for-9 with Wednesday's walk and two total runs in that span.