MLB Player News

Newman went 3-for-6 with a double, two runs and two RBI in an 8-3 win against the Rockies on Sunday.

Newman scored after reaching on an error in the first inning, singled in the second, doubled and scored in the sixth and brought home two runs with a single in the ninth. The three-hit performance is the middle infielder's second of the month as he's batting .300 through 40 July at-bats, though he has just one walk and three extra-base hits -- all of them doubles -- in 10 games.

Rosario has hit .357/.442/.760 -- good for a 1.201 OPS -- with 11 home runs, five steals and a 20:24 BB:K across his last 33 games for Triple-A El Paso.

Thanks to a frigid start to the season (.632 OPS in his first 51 games), Rosario's 2022 batting line still sits at a fair .275/.366/.492, but it's clear that a light has come on for him over the past month-plus. He's seemingly on the doorstep of the majors, but it's hard to see where the Padres have room to play him. Rosario has played second, third and shortstop in the minors this year, but he's best suited for third, as he's been far too error prone up the middle to play there consistently in the big leagues. In addition, he's blocked at third by Manny Machado, so there's a chance that Rosario could be used as trade bait at this year's deadline.

Arenado (back) will serve as the Cardinals' designated hitter and No. 4 batter in Sunday's game against the Reds, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

After he was held out of the lineup for Saturday's 11-3 win with lower-back tightness, Arenado ended up pulling out the upcoming All-Star Game, with Atlanta's Austin Riley called upon to replace him on the National League roster. Though Arenado showed enough improvement to re-enter the lineup in a non-defensive role for the Cardinals' final game of the second half, he'll still sit out the Midsummer Classic. The back injury has lingered for more than a month, but Arenado expects that the time off during the break will allow him to be healthy and productive throughout the second half, according to Denton.

Riley went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and a double in Saturday's 6-3 win over Washington.

After being added to the National League All-Star team earlier Saturday as a replacement for the Cardinals' Nolan Arenado, Riley celebrated the occasion by going yard for the second game in a row. Riley has now produced six home runs in his last eight games, bringing his total to 27 for the season. He trails only the Phillies' Kyle Schwarber (29) for the National League lead in the category.

Kennedy went 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Padres.

Kennedy delivered the Diamondbacks' first run with a triple in the fourth inning, his first RBI in nine games. He's been getting steady playing time at second base while Ketel Marte deals with a lingering hamstring injury that's limited him to designated-hitter duty, but that run could end soon. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo indicated earlier this week that the team has a plan in place for Marte to get back to playing the field, a process that should begin in earnest following the All-Star break. Kennedy is batting .250 (13-for-52) with two doubles, one triple, eight RBI and six runs scored over the last 19 games as the Diamondbacks' primary second baseman.

Muncy went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Angels.

Entering Saturday, Muncy had gone 1-for-23 with a double and seven walks in his last eight games. He doubled the Dodgers' lead with a three-run blast in the third inning for his first homer since July 5. The 31-year-old infielder still has a wretched .160 batting average this year, but he's added nine homers, 30 RBI, 35 runs scored and a stolen base through 73 contests. He's maintained a regular role in the lineup against right-handers, though he's sat out three of the Dodgers' 15 games in July.

Escobar went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and a double in a 4-3 extra-inning win over the Cubs in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.

Escobar played all 21 innings between the two teams Saturday, going 0-for-4 in the matinee before flexing some power in the nightcap. His homer in the latter contest was his fifth in July and his 11th of the year. The infielder is slashing .223/.277/.398 with 40 RBI, 37 runs scored, 18 doubles and three triples through 358 plate appearances this year, and he's been caught stealing on both of his attempts.

Longoria (oblique) went 0-for-3 with a strikeout and a hit-by-pitch in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Brewers.

Longoria had a minimum stay on the injured list to recover from a left oblique strain. He wasn't able to generate a hit in his return, but he got aboard in the eighth when he was plunked, and Wilmer Flores scored the winning run soon after. Longoria played the full game at third base, where he should settle into a near-everyday role going forward. The 36-year-old is slashing .237/.329/.452 with eight home runs, 18 RBI, 18 runs scored and five doubles through 155 plate appearances this season, which has seen him battle finger, shoulder and hamstring injuries.

Sosa left Saturday's game against the Reds with an apparent leg injury after crashing into the wall while chasing a foul ball, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Sosa remained down initially and appeared to be in significant pain, but he was able to walk off under his own power. He reportedly avoided a fracture and is merely considered day-to-day, though it wouldn't be a surprise if he skips Sunday's series finale in order to secure some extra rest heading into the All-Star break.

Longoria (oblique) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and is starting Saturday against the Brewers.

Longoria began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday and went 3-for-6 with two doubles, two runs, a walk and a strikeout over his two rehab games. He's starting at third base and batting cleanup Saturday, and he should see regular playing time now that he's back to full health.