MLB Player News

Vargas is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Angels, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Vargas will begin Saturday's contest in the dugout after going 0-for-4 with one strikeout in Friday's 3-2 win over the Halos. Jose Tena will make his Nationals debut at third base while Nasim Nunez returns to the lineup at shortstop.

Tena is starting at third base and batting sixth in Saturday's game against the Angels, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Tena was recalled from Triple-A Rochester earlier Saturday, and he will make his first start for the big club since being acquired from the Guardians on July 29. In the minors this season, Tena is batting .287 with an .824 OPS, 18 home runs and 68 RBI over 448 plate appearances.

The Nationals optioned Lipscomb to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

After being recalled by the Nationals on July 6, Lipscomb slowly saw his playing time dwindle as he struggled to a .152/.211/.182 slash line with a 23.6 percent strikeout rate across 71 plate appearances. With Ildemaro Vargas establishing a regular role at the hot corner, Lipscomb will go back down to Rochester, where he will have an everyday role at third base. Jose Tena was recalled from Rochester in a corresponding move.

The Nationals recalled Tena from Triple-A Rochester on Saturday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Tena was part of the package the Nationals received when they traded Lane Thomas to the Guardians on July 29. In Triple-A this season, Tena is slashing .287/.344/.480 with 15 stolen bases, 60 runs scored, 18 home runs and 68 RBI across 448 plate appearances. To make room for Tena on the 26-man roster, the Nationals optioned Trey Lipscomb to Rochester.

Machado went 2-for-5 with two doubles, a run and three RBI In Friday's extra-inning win over Miami.

The Padres were held scoreless until the eighth inning, when Machado plated a run with a double. Jackson Merrill homered in the ninth to send the game into an extra frame, and Machado helped San Diego break things open in the top of the 10th frame with a double that drove in two runners. Machado has been on a heater over his past 15 games, slashing .349/.382/.698 with five homers, seven doubles, 15 RBI, 13 runs, a stolen base and a 4:8 BB:K.

Rivera isn't in the Marlins' lineup Saturday versus the Padres.

Rivera went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Friday, snapping a five-game hitting streak. His absence will put Jake Burger at third base and open a spot in the lineup for Derek Hill to start in center field while batting eighth.

Paredes went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Friday's 7-6 win over the White Sox.

Paredes teed off for his second home run in his last three games and 18th of the season. The infielder got off to a bit of a slow start after getting traded to the Cubs at the end of the July, but in those last three contests, he's gone 4-for-11 with the two long balls and seven total RBI. Paredes was having a solid season in Tampa Bay before the trade, and if he can sustain his recent level of play, a big finish could be in store with his new team.

Burger went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 6-2 extra-inning loss to the Padres.

The 28-year-old slugger opened the scoring in the fourth inning by taking Martin Perez deep, continuing a power surge that has seen Burger launch seven homers in the last 11 games while slashing .311/.347/.800 with 11 RBI. The improved performance at the plate could be due to his reduced defensive responsibilities -- he's played third base only three times during that stretch while lining up at first base and DH four times each. Burger is batting .242 on the season with 20 home runs and 50 RBI in 94 contests.

Hernandez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's 9-5 win over the Pirates.

Hernandez went 14-for-57 (.246) during a 16-game homer drought, which he snapped with a fifth-inning blast Friday. The utility man is up to seven homers this year. He hasn't hit consistently or for much power this year with a .209/.276/.333 slash line, 25 RBI, 28 runs scored and 11 doubles over 89 contests. Despite Hernandez's flaws, he's seen a starting role at third base lately, though he'll likely move to a short-side platoon role once Max Muncy (oblique) completes a rehab assignment.

Machado went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Thursday in a 7-6 win against Pittsburgh.

Machado gave San Diego an early lead with his two-run blast to left field in the first inning. The veteran third baseman has at least one hit in nine of his past 10 games and is slashing .381/.400/.810 with five homers, 11 RBI, 10 runs and a stolen base during that stretch. The power surge has pushed him to 18 long balls on the season, but Machado is still on pace to fall short of 30 homers, a mark he's reached each of the previous two campaigns.