MLB Player News

Vargas sits for the second straight game Friday against the Nationals.

Ketel Marte will again play second base, with Jarrod Dyson starting in center field. Vargas has just three hits in his last eight contests.

Segura will lead off Friday against the Braves.

Segura has hit exclusively second or third for the Phillies this season, though he clearly has the skills to be a leadoff man. He's stolen at least 20 bases in each of the previous six seasons and recorded an on-base percentage of at least .340 in each of the last three. Both numbers are slightly down this year, as he's stolen just four bases and has a .284/.331/.453 slash line, but he should still be able to fill the role competently and could now be given the green light to run more frequently.

Rivera was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans on Friday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 27-year-old was called up to provide infield depth with Martin Prado (hamstring) headed to the 10-day injured list Friday. Rivera carries a slash line of .318/.333/.516 with 11 home runs and 34 RBI through 61 games with Triple-A New Orleans this season, but it's worth noting he struggled at the major-league level in 2018, recording a batting average of just .173 in 160 plate appearances. It's unclear if Rivera will stay with the Marlins once Prado is ready to return, but he'll start at third base and bat seventh Friday.

Muncy went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in the Dodgers' 7-3 win over the Cubs on Thursday.

Muncy followed up his Tuesday two-homer effort by leaving the yard again in this contest, touching up Jon Lester with a two-run shot in the fourth inning. So far in 2019, the 28-year-old is showing that last season's unexpected, 35-homer breakout was no fluke: He's now slashing .278/.372/.542 with 16 homers and 42 RBI through 227 at-bats.

Machado went 3-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI in a loss to Colorado on Thursday.

Machado's first hit was an RBI single in the first inning, and he followed with a solo home run in the fifth and ninth. He had been mired in a 2-for-18 slump, so Thursday's three-hit game was undoubtedly a welcome sign. Even with the big performance, Machado's first campaign in San Diego has thus far been a mild disappointment, as his season slash line now sits at .247/.333/.425.

Arenado (forearm) is hitting cleanup and starting at third base Thursday against the Padres, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.

His forearm bruise was serious enough that he had X-rays after Wednesday's game, but Arenado will tough it out the next day. He is hitting .243/.326/.405 with two home runs in 11 games this month.

Vargas is not in Thursday's lineup against the Nationals, Richard Morin of The Arizona Republic reports.

He is 0-for-8 in two games since hitting a pair of home runs on June 10. Ketel Marte starts at second base while Jarrod Dyson starts in center field and leads off.

Moustakas went 2-for-5 and hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the 13th inning of Wednesday's 14-inning victory over the Astros.

Moustakas has been red hot of late, going 17-for-46 (.370) with eight home runs, 13 RBI and 13 runs over his last 11 games. His playing time has not been affected by the return of fellow infielder Travis Shaw, as he has started every game -- six at second base and two at third -- since Shaw was activated from the injured list June 4.

Riley is not in Thursday's lineup against the Pirates.

Mark Bowman of MLB.com went out of his way to say that Riley is healthy and is just getting a day off. He is hitting .213 with three home runs and a 15:1 K:BB in 11 games this month. Matt Joyce will start in left field and bat eighth.

Newman went 3-for-5 with a double, walk, two RBI and a stolen base Wednesday in the Pirates' 8-7 loss to the Braves in 11 innings.

Newman is only slashing .281/.309/.391 out of the leadoff spot this season, but his season-long on-base percentage (.371) and recent form at the plate suggest he'll remain an ideal fit atop the lineup. He's supplied back-to-back three-hit, one-steal performances and will look to keep rolling again Thursday in the series finale.