MLB Player News

Moustakas (calf) remains on the bench for Friday's game against the Nationals.

Moustakas will sit for the third straight game, with the Reds having little incentive to rush the oft-injured veteran at the tail end of a lost season. Donovan Solano will make another start at first base in his absence.

Mets manager Buck Showalter said Escobar (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment Thursday for High-A Brooklyn, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

According to Showalter, Escobar is scheduled to log seven innings at shortstop, a position he's played for only two innings in the majors since the start of the 2019 season. Because Escobar had fallen into a short-side platoon role at third base prior to landing on the injured list Aug. 17 with a strained oblique, the Mets are eager to give him more exposure to other infield positions so he can serve as more of a utility player off the bench once he's activated. The Mets appear content to stick with rookie Brett Baty as their everyday third baseman, even though the youngster has produced a measly .492 OPS in his first eight big-league games.

Moustakas (calf) isn't starting Thursday against the Phillies.

Moustakas continues to deal with a left calf injury and will be out of the lineup for a second consecutive game. Donovan Solano will shift to first base while Kyle Farmer serves as the designated hitter Thursday.

Arenado returned to St. Louis in preparation of the birth of his child and won't be available for Thursday's series finale with the Cubs in Chicago, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

The Cardinals didn't announce any roster moves ahead of Thursday's contest, so the team will be a man down before Arenado is presumably placed on the paternity list ahead of Friday's game against Atlanta. Since players can spend anywhere from 1-to-3 days away from the team upon landing on the paternity list, fantasy managers should prepare for the possibility of Arenado missing all three games against Atlanta. Tommy Edman is filling in at third base Thursday, but Brendan Donovan may be the main beneficiary if Arenado is absent for the entire weekend.

Arenado is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Even though Arenado played just three innings in Wednesday's 7-1 loss before being ejected following his second plate appearance when he argued a third-strike call, he'll get some rest for the day game after a night game. Given that he's started in all 25 of the Cardinals' games since missing the team's two-game series in Toronto in late July, Arenado was probably overdue for a day off. Tommy Edman will spell him at third base.

Madrigal will sit Thursday against the Cardinals.

Madrigal will get a day off after he went 2-for-7 with a run scored while starting the last two contests. Zach McKinstry will slide over to second base while Nelson Velazquez enters the lineup in center field and bats eighth after some shuffling.

Segura went 3-for-5 with two runs scored in Wednesday's win over the Reds.

Segura has been productive lately with a .333 average and .408 OBP over 42 at-bats in his last 12 games. The second baseman has been much better at home with a .829 OPS in 128 at-bats compared to a .669 OPS in 100 at-bats on the road. In addition, the 32-year-old has more power against lefties with a .464 slugging percentage in 69 at-bats compared to a .396 slugging percentage in 159 at-bats against right-handed pitching.

Farmer went 1-for-5 with a solo homer in Wednesday's 7-5 loss to the Phillies.

Farmer led off the fourth with a solo homer off lefty starter Cristopher Sanchez to cut Cincinnati's deficit to 6-2. The 32-year-old has hit well recently, recording one hit or more in 11 of his last 13 games with a .345 average in 55 at-bats during that span. The shortstop has been drastically better against left-handed pitching with a .947 OPS in 114 at-bats compared to a .605 OPS in 263 at-bats against righties.

Newman went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Wednesday against Atlanta.

Newman took Kirby Yates yard in the ninth inning to record his first homer of the season. Despite the lack of power, Newman has recorded five multi-hit performances in his last 14 starts -- good for a .291 average. For the season, Newman is hitting .267 with 23 runs scored and five stolen bases across 52 games.

Arenado was ejected from Wednesday's game against the Cubs for arguing a called check-swing strike three, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Arenado was called out on a check swing by the home plate umpire to end the third inning, and the third baseman will head to the clubhouse early after disputing the call. The 31-year-old finished the contest 0-for-2 and should be back in the lineup for Thursday's series finale in Chicago.