MLB Player News

The Dodgers signed Espinal to a contract Friday, Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Espinal was outrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday after clearing waivers, but he's back with the big club largely due to Enrique Hernandez going on the injured list due to a significant left oblique injury. With Hernandez sidelined and Hyeseong Kim optioned to Triple-A, Espinal could see some work at second and third base in a depth role behind Max Muncy and Alex Freeland.

Gonzalez (knee) is starting at third base and batting out of the cleanup spot against the Twins on Friday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Gonzalez was removed from Thursday's game against the Cubs due to left knee discomfort, but he's been cleared to play in the first game of the Pirates' weekend home series. He's struggled at the plate as of late, having gone 2-for-22 (.091) with one RBI, two runs and seven strikeouts over his last six games.

The Marlins optioned Pauley to Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Pauley has not got on track offensively this season, slashing just .165/.211/.271 across 91 plate appearances. He will look to get his swing in order at Jacksonville, and the Marlins will go with a combination of Javier Sanoja, Leo Jimenez and Connor Norby at third base.

Gorman is out of the lineup for Friday's series opener against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

St. Louis will leave Gorman out of Friday's lineup against lefty Shota Imanaga. Thomas Saggese will take over at third base for Gorman and hit eighth in the batting order.

The Cardinals optioned Prieto to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Prieto was promoted in early May and didn't play much, going hitless in 17 plate appearances. He'll see more regular reps at Memphis, where he's slashed .311/.357/.566 this season.

Espinal was outrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Noah Camras of SI.com reports.

Espinal cleared waivers after being designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Monday, and he'll now head to Oklahoma City. The move to drop Espinal from the 40-man roster was made so that the team could activate Enrique Hernandez from the 60-day injured list, but Hernandez has now landed right back on the IL with an oblique injury. It's possible that Espinal could return to the major-league roster relatively soon.

Gonzales was removed from Thursday's contest against the Cubs due to left knee discomfort.

Gonzales had a limp running out of the box in the second inning, and it is now understood to have been due to residual pain in his left knee from a ball he fouled off his leg in Wednesday's loss to Chicago. He is considered day-to-day for the time being, with Tyler Callihan entering the contest for his Pirates debut in place of Gonzales.

Gonzales exited Thursday's contest against the Cubs in the fourth inning due to an apparent injury, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Gonzales was spotted limping out of the box on a flyout in the bottom of the second inning, and he was ultimately removed from the game when the Pirates took the field defensively for the top of the fourth. Tyler Callihan replaced him at third base. More information on Gonzales' status will likely be provided in the near future.

Hernandez is expected to be out for 6-to-8 weeks after sustaining a "significant tear" of his left oblique during Tuesday's 15-6 win over the Rockies, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The Dodgers placed Hernandez on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, just two days after he made his return from a season-opening stint on the 60-day IL while he completed his recovery from a Nov. 14 extensor repair procedure on his left elbow. Hernandez is now headed for another extended absence, a disappointing development for the 34-year-old utility player after he made a splash in his first two games back from the IL by going 4-for-4 with a home run, two doubles, two RBI and an additional run. Given the estimated 6-to-8-week recovery timeline, Hernandez will most likely be held out through the All-Star break and will target a return to the field early in the second half.

Wagaman went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Wednesday's win over the Reds.

Wagaman made the most out of his first start with the Mets, launching a home run to left field against Andrew Abbott in the second inning. The 28-year-old was recently called up as an option against left-handed pitching after a highly productive stint at Triple-A Syracuse, and Wednesday's production certainly helps his cause with respect to his chances of seeing consistent opportunities.