MLB Player News

Busch went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Friday's 6-5 win over the Diamondbacks.

Busch got May off to a good start with a two-hit performance that raised his season batting average above .200. It's been a struggle so far for the first baseman, though he's been better lately with a .268/.375/.488 slash line across his last 10 games. Busch's slow start, combined with Nico Hoerner's hot start, compelled the Cubs to make the latter their primary leadoff hitter, but Hoerner exited Friday's contest with a neck issue. If he has to miss time, Busch is an option to bat first, at least against righties, which is something he did often in 2025.

Bohm went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Friday's 6-5 win over the Marlins.

Bohm now has a pair of multi-hit games in his last three appearances after producing just three multi-hit efforts across the Phillies' first 28 games. His batting average has been stuck below .200 since April 7, as the 29-year-old third baseman is slashing just .164/.228/.218 with one home run, 14 RBI, seven runs scored and an 8:20 BB:K across 123 trips to the plate. He's experienced sharp declines in his barrel rate and hard-hit percentage from last season. Bohm was a useful source of batting average with limited pop, but now he's not hitting for average or power in 2026. Just four of Bohm's 18 hits this season have gone for extra bases.

Sosa went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base in Friday's 6-5 win over the Marlins.

After starting four straight games from April 14-18, Sosa made just his third start in the last eight days Friday. He's been one of the team's more consistent hitters of late. Over his last 12 appearances, Sosa is 12-for-37 (.324) at the plate with three doubles, one home run, six RBI, four runs scored, two stolen bases and a 1:7 BB:K.

Vargas went 4-for-4 with a walk and an RBI in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Cubs.

While Arizona wasn't able to take advantage of having Vargas on base every time through the order, it was still another impressive effort from the 34-year-old switch hitter. Vargas has hit safely in 24 straight games to begin the campaign, tied for the second-longest streak within a single season in Diamondbacks history with Tony Womack in 2000, and his overall streak stands at 27 games dating back to the end of last year -- putting him within striking distance of matching or exceeding Luis Gonzalez's club-record streak of 30 games, set in 1999. Vargas is slashing a stunning .404/.429/.702 so far in 2026 with 14 extra-base hits, including six homers to already tie his career high, along with 19 runs and 21 RBI.

Karros is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest versus Atlanta.

It's a routine day off for Karros, who had started each of the previous 14 games. Willi Castro will handle third base and bat seventh for the Rockies in the series opener.

Freeman went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run Thursday against the Reds.

Freeman was in the lineup for the third time in the last four games, as he splits his time between DH and right field. He led off the scoring for the Rockies on Thursday with a blast in the first inning. It was Freeman's first homer of the season, and he continues to pick things up at the plate, having hit .303 with six RBI and three runs scored across his last 10 games.

House is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

House smacked a grand slam in Wednesday's win over the Mets, but he'll begin Thursday's contest on the bench. Jorbit Vivas will handle third base and Jose Tena will slot in at designated hitter for the Nationals in Thursday's rubber match.

Hayes is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Rockies.

Hayes has finally perked up a bit at the plate lately, going 7-for-25 with a home run over his last seven games, but he'll rest during Thursday's matinee. Sal Stewart is getting a start at third base, and Spencer Steer will cover first base.

Bohm is out of the lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Giants.

The Phillies are going with Edmundo Sosa at third base in Thursday's matinee. Bohm should be back at the hot corner for the nightcap.

Vargas went 2-for-5 with a run scored in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Brewers.

Vargas wasted little time extending his season-opening hit streak to 22 games when he singled in his first plate appearance. Going back to 2025, the utility infielder has hit safely in 25 consecutive games. Vargas, who has become the team's primary first baseman, doesn't have any real competition for playing time at the moment with both Carlos Santana (thigh) and Pavin Smith (elbow) on the injured list.