MLB Player News

The Pirates are using Sunday to give several players a break from starting, as right fielder Gregory Polanco, second baseman Neil Walker and first baseman Pedro Alvarez are not in the lineup against the Cardinals.

The Cardinals are sending a lefty to the mound, making it the first time in 10 games that the Pirates have faced a lefty starter. Polanco and Alvarez have been in the lineup for that entire stretch but also sat in the team's last game against a southpaw. The switch-hitting Walker also received last Sunday off from starting.

With the shakeup to the lineup, Josh Harrison will man second and return to the leadoff spot, while Jung Ho Kang will bat second and play third base.

The Pirates are favorites (-115) at home Sunday.

Phillies infielders Chase Utley, Cody Asche and Ryan Howard are back in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

The Phillies gave all three a break from starting with a lefty on the mound Saturday, but all have returned to their regular roles.

The Phillies are home underdogs (+130) against the Mets Sunday.

Leadoff hitter Jean Segura connected for a solo home run in the Brewers' victory over the Cubs on Friday.

The home run was his second of the year and first since April 11.

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche was out of the lineup again on Saturday against the Mets, but may be preparing for a shift to the outfield, according to MLB.com.

Asche is shagging fly balls in the outfield and working on outfield drills during pregame warmups with the club. 

"He's looked fine," manager Ryne Sandberg said. "He seems to have the moves and the foot speed for it. He seems to be doing all right if that would ever be the case."

But Sandberg wouldn't say for sure whether Asche will move to the outfield. Asche has played exclusively at third base in his major league career and is hitting .237 with two home runs in 97 at-bats this season.

Two infield regulars are out of the Phillies' lineup for Saturday's game. 

Slumping second baseman Chase Utley will sit out for the third time in the last four games. Cesar Hernandez takes his place. 

Third baseman Cody Asche also goes to the bench, replaced by Andres Blanco.

Braves second baseman Jace Peterson will be getting his first day off in nearly two weeks, as he is out of the starting lineup Friday against the Nationals. Peterson has been hitting well lately, batting .417 with five RBI over his last 11 games, though he has no extra base hits in that span.

Phil Gosselin will get the start at second, batting seventh. This is just Gosselin's fourth start of the year.

Not many hitters have enjoyed great success against Cardinals young standout Michael Wacha, but Pirates first baseman Pedro Alvarez has been particularly poor heading into the matchup against him Friday night.

Alvarez has just one hit in nine at-bats lifetime against Wacha. That hit traveled over the fence, but the mark is still .111. with three strikeouts.

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin seems reluctant to trade catcher Jonathan Lucroy and shortstop Jean Segura, even though both players could garner interest at the trade deadline, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

"Those are two tough positions to fill," Melvin said. "I guess you have to be open to everything. But you'd have to be overwhelmed. We have some pretty good shortstops in the system. But they are doing well in the minors (and Segura) is doing well in the majors. Those are positions that can take years to fill. We've got two young ones who are making (little) money."

The Pirates, Mets, Mariners and Padres could all be in the market for shortstop help. However, Melvin suggested it is going to take a pretty good haul for him to part with Segura, who is under team control through 2018.

Giants catcher Buster Posey and third baseman Casey McGehee are out of the starting lineup Wednesday against the Padres, the team announced.

It will be just Posey's second day off of the season after starting 18 straight games for San Francisco. Andrew Susac will fill in for Posey and bat seventh. McGehee is getting a second consecutive day off to clear his head after scuffling at the plate to start the year. Matt Duffy will get his second straight start.

The Giants are currently the favorites (-138) against San Diego.

Struggling Giants third baseman Casey McGehee has been benched for the Tuesday night game against tough San Diego right-hander Andrew Cashner.

McGehee, who has two hits in five at-bats lifetime against Cashner, hasn't hit safely in consecutive games since April 8 and 9. He owns a slash line of .181/.234/.264.

His replacement against San Diego is Matt Duffy, who is doing no better with just two hits in his last 20 at-bats.