MLB Player News

Escobar is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals, and manager Buck Showalter hinted after Tuesday's 5-1 loss that the 33-year-old will likely be deployed in a platoon at third base with Luis Guillorme moving forward, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The Mets signed Escobar to a two-year, $20 million contract this winter with the intention of having him play regularly against both right- and left-handing pitching, but the switch hitter has been far more successful versus southpaws this season. He's produced a .261/.293/.530 slash line (129 wRC+) in his 123 plate appearances against lefties, compared to a .199/.260/.328 line (71 wRC+) in 265 plate appearances against righties. Since the lefty-hitting Guillorme has made some strides as a hitter in 2022 and is a superior defender at third base, the Mets' decision to limit Escobar's opportunities versus righties thus doesn't come as a major surprise. Escobar will be sitting against a right-hander (Anibal Sanchez) for the fourth time in the last five matchups.

Farmer isn't starting Wednesday against Miami.

Farmer was hit by two pitches Tuesday against the Marlins, but it's not clear whether his absence from Wednesday's lineup is related. Jose Barrero is starting at shortstop and batting eighth after he was called up Wednesday.

Senzel isn't starting Wednesday against the Marlins.

Senzel started the last six games and hit .190 with two doubles, three runs and four strikeouts. Albert Almora will take his place in center field and bat seventh Wednesday.

McMahon went 4-for-8 with a double, an RBI and a stolen base across both ends of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Padres.

The 27-year-old started both contests at the hot corner and collected two hits in each. McMahon has found another element to his game since the beginning of July -- in his last 27 games, he's slashing just .247/.340/.371 with two homers, seven RBI and nine runs, but he's also recorded all six of his steals on the season, tying the career high he set in 2021.

Arenado went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 6-0 win over the Cubs.

Arenado has homered in two of his last three games and he's up to 20 long balls this season. His seventh-inning blast Tuesday supplied the Cardinals with an insurance run. The third baseman has three multi-hit efforts in his last seven games, and he's slashing .292/.359/.532 with 61 RBI, 46 runs scored and two stolen bases in 95 contests this year.

The Cubs reinstated Madrigal (groin) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

Madrigal missed nearly two months of action with his injury, but he's ready to resume playing for the big club. Madrigal hit .385 over his last seven rehab games, though because the Cubs have numerous options at second base, it's unclear what role he will fill in the short term. Zach McKinstry will get the nod at the keystone Tuesday versus the Cardinals.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Segura (finger) will likely be activated from the 60-day injured list Thursday, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Segura went 1-for-4 with a walk, an RBI and a stolen base while starting at second base Tuesday in what is expected to be his final rehab game at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Altogether, Segura batted just .192 during his seven-game rehab assignment, but more importantly, he avoided any setbacks with his surgically repaired right index finger. Expect Segura to settle back into an everyday role at second base once activated Thursday, leaving rookie Bryson Stott and veteran Didi Gregorius to vie for playing time at shortstop.

Reynolds was added to the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

For the second day in a row, Reynolds will replace a player dealt away after the Reds submitted their initial starting lineup. Reynolds will man the hot corner and hit seventh in Cincinnati's batting order.

Kennedy was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

Kennedy played fairly frequently over the last few weeks, but he owns just a .225 batting average and .627 OPS at the big-league level, so he was removed from the roster to open up a spot for fellow infielder Emmanuel Rivera. Kennedy will not actually report to Reno, as he will remain with the Diamondbacks as part of the team's taxi squad.

The Diamondbacks recalled Rivera from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

Rivera was playing at the Triple-A level when he was acquired from the Royals on Monday, but he will get a chance to show what he can do with his new club immediately. Josh Rojas has been playing third base nearly every day since mid-May, so it remains to be seen how much playing time Rivera will see there.