MLB Player News

Wisdom is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.

With the Cubs getting healthier in the outfield over the past two weeks, Kris Bryant has been spending more time at third base, which has resulted in Wisdom losing out on at-bats. Wisdom will be on the bench for the fourth time in six games, and the Cubs may view him as only a short-side platoon player when the team is relatively healthy.

Sosa will start at second base and bat seventh in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader with Atlanta.

With Tommy Edman spending most of his time in right field these days, Sosa appears to have at least temporarily emerged as the Cardinals' preferred option at the keystone ahead of Matt Carpenter. Sosa will stick in the lineup for the fifth time in six games, even though the lefty-hitting Carpenter holds the platoon advantage with right-hander Bryse Wilson on the hill for Atlanta.

Machado went 1-for-3 with a three-RBI double, a walk and a stolen base in Saturday's 7-5 win over Cincinnati.

The third baseman gave San Diego's its first lead with his three-run double in the fourth inning. He's racked up seven hits in his last five games, and five of them have gone for extra bases (one home run, four doubles), Machado is slashing .249/.332/.443 with 10 homers, 44 RBI, 34 runs scored and seven stolen bases in nine attempts this year.

Manager Dave Roberts said that Muncy (oblique) played in a simulated game at the team's spring training facility Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Muncy has already been reported to be targeting a return to the lineup at some point during the upcoming series against the Padres, and his participation in a simulated game further confirms that he's nearing activation from the injured list. The infielder has been sidelined since June 11 with a right oblique strain.

Vargas was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Saturday.

Vargas has already been designated for assignment three previous times this season. He cleared waivers the first time after getting dropped from the Cubs' 40-man roster in late March but was picked up by the Pirates after the Cubs DFA'd him again in mid-May. He lasted less than two weeks in Pittsburgh before being DFA'd yet again and traded to the Diamondbacks. It seems that teams like him enough to keep him around for a few weeks on the end of their bench, so it's possible he'll get claimed yet again this time around. The move clears a spot for the Diamondbacks to add the newly-signed Jake Faria.

Moustakas (heel) was moved to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Moustakas has already been out for a month with a heel injury. He appeared to be closing in on a return before suffering a setback during a rehab game Tuesday. He'll now be out until just after the All-Star break at the earliest, with the Reds yet to provide a concrete timeline. The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the team to select Josh Osich's contract.

Sosa (hand) went 1-for-3 and was caught stealing on his one attempt in a loss to Atlanta on Friday.

The utility asset was back in the lineup after a one-game absence and managed one of only three hits for the Cardinals on the night. Sosa has now hit safely in three of the last four games and continues to be pleasant surprise at the plate, as evidenced by his .267 average and .358 on-base percentage across 120 plate appearances.

Muncy (oblique) could be reinstated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday or Wednesday, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Muncy will take part in batting practice Friday and should continue to participate in activities during the team's weekend series in Arizona. The 30-year-old isn't expected to require a rehab assignment and could return to the active roster following a minimal stay on the injured list.

Sosa (hand) is starting at second base and batting seventh Friday against Atlanta, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Sosa was diagnosed with a hand contusion after being hit by a pitch during Wednesday's game against the Marlins. He did not play in Thursday's loss to Atlanta but will return to the lineup Friday after missing just the one game.

Escobar went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and two runs scored in Thursday's 10-3 loss to the Giants.

Not all was bad for the Diamondbacks, who set a modern era record with their 23rd consecutive road loss. Escobar extended his hitting streak to six games, going 8-for-24 with four extra-base hits during that run. The 32-year-old infielder is in the final year of his contract, so Arizona, which has the worst record in MLB, will likely move him before the trade deadline.