MLB Player News

De La Cruz went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Thursday in a loss to the Cubs.

De La Cruz smashed a 424-foot blast on the first pitch of the contest for his second leadoff homer of the campaign. Of the rookie phenom's eight long balls this season, four have come over his past 10 games. However, De La Cruz struck out twice Thursday, and he's posted a massive 42 percent strikeout rate over 18 contests since the All-Star break. Despite De La Cruz's recent slump, Reds manager David Bell intends to leave him at leadoff, per Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. The rookie, who was moved to leadoff 15 games ago, is slashing .203/.277/.407 atop the order.

Muncy was diagnosed with a left wrist contusion after getting hit by a pitch Thursday versus Oakland.

Muncy took a JP Sears fastball to the wrist in the bottom of the fifth inning and was lifted from the game in the bottom of the sixth, but X-rays turned up negative and there doesn't seem to be much concern. He finished the night with two walks, a run scored and the HBP across three plate appearances. Chris Taylor replaced him at third base and David Peralta entered in left field.

Muncy departed Thursday's game against the Athletics after taking a pitch off his left forearm/wrist, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Muncy was struck by a 91.3 mph JP Sears fastball in the bottom of the fifth inning, though he ran for himself and played third base in the top of the sixth before David Peralta replaced him in the lineup during the Dodgers' four-run bottom of the sixth. There should be an update on Muncy's status after the game.

Toro was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The 26-year-old was recalled from Nashville last week and appeared in three games while up with the big club, going 4-for-10 with a home run, a walk, four RBI and three runs. Toro could return to the majors later in the season when the Brewers need infield depth.

Anderson (back) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Anderson has been on the shelf nearly three weeks with a back strain, but he'll rejoin Milwaukee's active roster Thursday after completing a two-game rehab assignment at Triple-A Nashville. The 30-year-old had a strong start to the campaign but has struggled to a .568 OPS since the beginning of June.

Arenado is not in the lineup Thursday versus the Twins.

This appears to be a routine breather for Arenado as the Cardinals close out their three-game set with Minnesota. Taylor Motter is at third base and batting ninth.

Senzel started at third base and went 0-for-4 with three errors in Wednesday's 16-6 loss to the Cubs.

Senzel's usage has picked up recently as a result of Jonathan India (foot) landing on the injured list, as Senzel, presumed to be a trade chip at the deadline, remained with the Reds. The influx of youth has marginalized Senzel, who told Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer that he loves the organization but would like more playing time, something that could have occurred had he been traded. "I'm at a different point in my career than the younger guys we have on our team because I'm getting paid year-to-year now," Senzel said, referring to the two more years under club control. "With that, I need at-bats; I need the innings; I need the games played." Senzel is slashing .231/.306/.376 over 248 plate appearances.

Peterson started at third base and went 1-for-3 with an RBI in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to San Francisco.

The lefty-hitting Peterson made his second consecutive start at the hot corner, both coming against right-handers, and is 2-for-6 since joining the Diamondbacks at the trade deadline. He and the right-handed hitting Emmanuel Rivera are splitting third base. Whether third base becomes a traditional lefty-righty platoon has not been determined, and the job share will become crowded when Evan Longoria (back) returns from the injured list.

Candelario went 4-for-4 with a walk, two doubles and four runs scored in Wednesday's 16-6 win over the Reds.

Candelario has now played in two games with the Cubs since getting traded over from the Nationals, and he's proceeded to go 8-for-9 with three doubles and six runs scored. He won't be able to stay this hot, but he's been solid all season with an .854 OPS and has fit in very nicely so far with his new team.

Madrigal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.

Madrigal had started at third base in each of the Cubs' last four games, but he appears destined to move into more of a part-time role following Tuesday's acquisition of Jeimer Candelario. Though manager David Ross acknowledged that Candelario will see plenty of time at first base, his arrival could create a domino effect that results in Christopher Morel seeing most of the starts at third base.