MLB Player News

Wisdom went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 11-4 loss against Toronto.

Sunday's game was a microcosm of Wisdom's season, as he paired his 20th home run with three more strikeouts to raise his season total to 99 in 224 at-bats. Wisdom's role has diminished since the trade deadline acquisition of Jeimer Candelario having now started just four games since Aug. 1. Wisdom's empty power production is best served in the part-time role in which the Cubs currently have him placed.

Hayes isn't in the Pirates' lineup for Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Reds, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

After a 1-for-4 performance in Game 1, Hayes will take a seat for the second game of Sunday's action. Jared Triolo will step in as the Pirates' third baseman and bat eighth.

McMahon is not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Dodgers.

McMahon is having a rough time at the plate in August. In his last eight games, the 28-year-old is 2-for-28. The last game he did not play in was July 16. With Sunday being a rest day, it can serve as a reset for him. In McMahon's place, Alan Trejo will start at third base and hit sixth.

Candelario is not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Blue Jays.

Since being traded to the Cubs on July 31, Candelario has started in every game. With the Cubs in August, the infielder is slashing .425/.489/.625 in 45 plate appearances. Sunday will just be a rest day for the 29-year-old with Nick Madrigal getting the start at third.

Arenado went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Royals.

Arenado's bat has been hot in August -- he's gone 15-for-42 (.357) during his 10-game hitting streak that spans the whole month. The third baseman had slumped briefly in late July, but he's back up to a .287/.335/.511 slash line with 24 home runs, 82 RBI, 56 runs scored, two stolen bases, 22 doubles and two triples through 112 contests this season.

Peterson isn't in the Diamondbacks' lineup Saturday against the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Left-hander Rich Hill will take the mound for San Diego, forcing the lefty-hitting Peterson to the bench for the start of Saturday's game. Buddy Kennedy will start at third base and bat sixth while Peterson sits.

Perez signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Friday.

The 23-year-old third baseman was dumped from Houston's 40-man roster and ultimately released a week later, but he quickly caught on with a new organization. Perez is expected to report to Triple-A Indianapolis and should handle a near-everyday role with the Pirates' top affiliate. Perez slashed .255/.328/.399 with 10 home runs and three stolen bases in 357 plate appearances at Triple-A Sugar Land this season prior to his release.

The Diamondbacks selected Kennedy's contract from Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Kennedy has enjoyed a breakout season in Triple-A this year, slashing .318/.447/.480 with 46 RBI through 407 plate appearances with Reno. He played 30 games with the D-backs last season with limited success and figures to act as an infield depth piece while in the majors. To make room for Kennedy on the active roster, Emmanuel Rivera was optioned to Triple-A and Kristian Robinson was designated for assignment.

The Diamondbacks optioned Rivera to Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Rivera hasn't recorded a hit since the end of July, so he'll head back to the minors in order to right the ship. Rivera has had better luck in Triple-A this season, slashing .348/.378/.591 in 74 plate appearances, so he could make a quick return to Arizona if he gets going at the plate again. Buddy Kennedy was selected from Reno to take Rivera's spot on the active roster.

Vargas went 2-for-4 with a home run, four RBI and two runs in Friday's win over the Athletics.

The veteran utility man tied his career high in RBI with the performance, which was highlighted by a three-run homer off Sam Long in the seventh inning -- Vargas' fourth homer of the year. The 32-year-old switch hitter has emerged as the Nationals' starting third baseman in the wake of the Jeimer Candelario trade, and he's been surprisingly productive in the role. Vargas is batting just .250 (8-for-32) so far in August, but he has nine RBI and a .531 SLG thanks to three doubles and two homers.