MLB Player News

Shortstop Eugenio Suarez was a scarce offensive bright spot for the Reds on Saturday, as they were creamed 14-3 by the Marlins. Suarez launched a solo home run in the second inning, give the Reds a brief 1-0 lead. It was is fourth home run of the season, and his only hit of the day. 

Giants third baseman Matt Duffy was struggling at the plate leading into Friday's meeting with the Phillies. He had just three hits over his last seven games.

On Friday, Duffy broke out of that slump and went 4 for 6 with two RBI. He boosted his batting average from .283 to .292 with the impressive outing.

Brewers shortstop Jean Segura went 3 for 4 and scored a run in the 3-2 loss to the Dodgers on Friday. All three hits went for singles, and he was also caught stealing for the third time this year.

This was the fourth three-hit performance this month for Segura, who is batting a robust .469 (15 for 32) in eight games so far in July. Interestingly, none of the 15 hits Segura has collected this month have gone for extra bases.

Pirates first baseman Pedro Alvarez came through with the go-ahead base hit in Friday's 5-2 win over the Cardinals. With the score tied 2-2, Alvarez roped an RBI single to center field to give the Pirates a 3-2 lead. It was his only hit of the game, as he drove in his 40th run of the season.

The Mets have had trade talks with the Brewers recently, according to Fox Sports. Among the players discussed were third baseman Aramis Ramirez and shortstop Jean Segura.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado went 3 for 5 with a double and a run scored in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Braves. The double was his 20th of the season, and the All-Star third baseman is 8 for 28 in seven games so far this month.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado went a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate during Wednesday's 3-2 loss against the Angels. He had his 19th double, one run and two intentional walks in the loss.

Arenado had his first multihit game in six July starts. He had a total of two hits in his first five July games.

The All-Star third baseman is batting .303 with a .688 slugging percentage, 1.021 OPS, one triple, seven doubles, 11 home runs, 25 RBI, 21 runs, five walks and 13 strikeouts in his last 28 games.

Reds shortstop Eugenio Suarez hit his third home run of the year in Monday's win over Washington. 

"He got it enough," Nationals manager Matt Williams said, per MLB.com. "When it's humid and warm like this, the ball carries pretty well, and he hit it in the perfect spot. Just got it over, inside the pole."

After hitting one home run in his first 16 games of the year, Suarez now has two in his last five games. He went 3 for 4 with two RBI, getting as many hits as he had in his previous 12 at bats, spanning four games. 

"[Suarez has] been a run producer, not just getting hits but timely hits, driving in runs," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "He's shown a little bit of power. That was a big one there off of [Casey] Janssen to give us a lead. There's nothing like being able to take a lead in the late innings knowing that Mattheus, Parra, Hoover and Chapman in that mix ends up finishing a lot of our wins."

The National League All Star reserves and pitchers were announced on Monday evening, and there was no room for the reigning National League MVP.

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw was not selected for the All Star team, although he's one of five candidates to take the final spot on the roster in the Final Vote. 

Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant made the team as an injury replacement for the Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton. Bryant is one of two rookies on the team, along with Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson. 

The Pirates sent two starting pitchers to the All Star team for the first time since 1960. MLB wins leader Gerrit Cole and fellow Pittsburgh starter A.J. Burnett will both be making their first appearance. 

National League reserves are:

Catchers: Yasmani Grandal, Dodgers; Yadier Molina, Cardinals
First basemen: Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers; Anthony Rizzo, Cubs
Second basemen: DJ LeMahieu, Rockies; Joe Panik, Giants
Third basemen: Nolan Arenado, Rockies; Kris Bryant, Cubs
Shortstop: Brandon Crawford, Giants
Outfielders: Andrew McCutchen, Pirates; Joc Pederson, Dodgers; A.J. Pollock, Diamondbacks; Justin Upton, Padres

National League pitchers are:

Madison Bumgarner, Giants; A.J. Burnett, Pirates; Aroldis Chapman, Reds; RHP: Gerrit Cole, Pirates; Jacob deGrom, Mets; Zack Greinke, Dodgers; Mark Melancon, Pirates; Shelby Miller, Braves; Jonathan Papelbon, Phillies; Francisco Rodriguez, Brewers; Trevor Rosenthal, Cardinals; Max Scherzer, Nationals; Michael Wacha, Cardinals

The five candidates for the Final Vote are:

Johnny Cueto, Reds; Jeurys Familia, Mets; Carlos Martinez, Cardinals; Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers; Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies

Braves second baseman Jace Peterson was held out of the starting lineup Monday against the Brewers. It was the first time he was held out of the starting lineup since June 6.

Peterson could probably use a bit of a breather, as he is mired in a 7-for-54 slump in his last 14 games. He has one home run, two doubles, five RBI, four runs, six walks and 18 strikeouts in that span.