MLB Player News

Vargas isn't starting Friday against the Marlins.

Vargas has gone just 3-for-19 in his last five starts, so he will get a day off. Cesar Hernandez will take over for him at the hot corner and bat second.

Newman went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Thursday against the Cubs.

Newman took Hayden Wesneski deep in the seventh inning to record his second home run of the season. He has started two of three games since returning from an undisclosed issue, and he's slugged a homer and stolen a base in that span. However, the infield has gotten more crowded in Pittsburgh due to the promotion of Ji-hwan Bae, so Newman could lose playing time over the final couple weeks of the season.

Maton isn't starting Friday against Atlanta.

Maton has lost out on some playing time recently, and he'll head to the bench for the third time in the last four games. Matt Vierling is starting in right field and batting ninth.

Senzel (toe) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday.

The 27-year-old was ruled out for the season with a broken toe earlier this week, so it's not a surprise to see him moved to the 60-day IL in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster. Senzel had a .231/.296/.306 slash line with five home runs, 25 RBI, 45 runs and eight stolen bases in 110 games this season, and he isn't guaranteed to open 2023 in a starting role.

Farmer went 1-for-4 with one homer, one RBI and one run scored in Thursday's loss to the Brewers.

Farmer produced the only run of the game for Cincinnati with his solo home run off Brandon Woodruff in the bottom of the sixth. The shortstop also struck out twice, as did the majority of the Reds lineup as Woodruff dominated hitters for most of the evening. Farmer now has five home runs this month after hitting just eight total leading up to September. He's also recorded 12 RBI and scored eight runs during his September power surge.

Machado went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, two walks and a stolen base in a 5-4 loss Thursday against St. Louis.

Machado reached safely in each of his last three plate appearances, including his 30th homer of the season in the eighth. The stolen base was his eighth of the season and first since May 20. He's reached base safely in six straight contests, going 6-for-21 with two homers four RBI and four walks in that span.

Hayes isn't starting Thursday against the Cubs, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Hayes is getting a day off after he went 2-for-22 with a double, two runs, two RBI, two walks and eight strikeouts over the last six games. Rodolfo Castro will start at the hot corner and bat third.

Maton isn't starting Thursday against Atlanta.

Maton started three of the last four games and went 1-for-8 with five strikeouts. He'll get a breather while Dalton Guthrie starts in right field and bats ninth.

Longoria is not in Thursday's lineup against the Rockies.

Longoria was only in the lineup for one of the four games at Coors Field this week. He seems to be on the short side of a platoon at third base, as he has not started against a righty since Sept. 13.

Castro went 2-for-4 with a triple and two runs scored Wednesday against the Yankees.

Castro was the only Pirate to collect multiple hits Wednesday, and it was the third time he's done so in his last seven starts. Since being recalled on Aug. 9, Castro has hit .268 with 10 home runs, 16 runs scored and 20 RBI across 38 games. Though he's striking out at a 28.1 percent clip in that span, Castro is making the case for a role in Pittsburgh to begin the 2023 campaign.