MLB Player News

Pirates first baseman Pedro Alvarez hit a two-run home run as part of a five-run Pittsburgh rally in Sunday's win over Cleveland. 

Alvarez hit his twelfth home run of the year and second in four games. He went 1 for 3 and reached 37 RBI. 

Giants third baseman Matt Duffy was held out of Sunday's lineup at Washington, the team announced.

Duffy was replaced at third by Ehrie Adrianza, who will hit eighth. Duffy is hitting .283 with two home runs and four RBI in his last 11 games.

The Giants are the underdogs (+155) at Washington on Sunday.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is not in Sunday's starting lineup for just the fourth time this season. 

Arenado had started the last 43 games at the hot corner, dating back to May 21. 

In his place, Daniel Descalso gets his second start of the season at third. 

So much for the slump plaguing Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu. He ended that in style Saturday night with three hits in a loss to Arizona.

LeMahieu ripped three singles, including one that tallied a run in the third inning. He also scored a run and raised his average back to .300 in breaking a 3-for-30 slide.

Matt Williams has admitted that neither Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (foot) nor third baseman Anthony Rendon (quad) are running yet as they try to progress in their respective rehabs from injuries, per the Washington Times.

Zimmerman has been out for four weeks. Rendon is only nine days removed from his placement on the disabled list.

Williams added that both are making progress, but it appears neither is close to returning.

Phillies left fielder Cody Asche hit his fourth home run of the season during Thursday's loss to the Brewers.

Asche went 3 for 5 with two RBI. He hit a two-run blast off Brewers starter Matt Garza in the second inning.

Over his last 12 games, Asche is hitting .381 with 16 hits, two home runs and five RBI.

Brewers shortstop Jean Segura went 3 for 5 with two RBI in Thursday's win over the Phillies.

Segura singled to right field in the fifth inning, bringing two runners around to score.

The three-hit performance snapped a 0-for-14 streak at the plate for Segura over his last three games.

Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu is getting a rest on Thursday, as he is being held out of the starting lineup against the Diamondbacks. LeMahieu had started 34 of the last 35 games for the Rockies, and he's been struggling lately.

Over his last 10 games, LeMahieu is batting a meager .132 (5 for 38). So he'll get a day off on Thursday, with Daniel Descalso getting the start at second base. 

Pirates designated hitter Pedro Alvarez hit his 11th home run of the season in Wednesday's game over the Tigers.

Alvarez went 2 for 5 with a RBI. His solo home run came in the eighth inning off Tigers relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain.

Alvarez is hitting .370 with 10 hits, three doubles, a home run and seven RBI over his last eight games.

Brewers shortstop Jean Segura was held out of the starting lineup Wednesday against the Phillies. It was the first time in 15 games he did not start and just the second time since coming off the disabled list May 29.

Segura is hitless in his last three games (14 at-bats). He is batting just .119 in his last 15 games, which has dropped his season average from .289 to .249.