MLB Player News

Newman will make his first major-league start at third base Monday against the Diamondbacks.

Newman has made eight starts at shortstop and four at the keystone this season, but he'll move to the hot corner Monday, with Jung Ho Kang (side) heading to the shelf and Colin Moran struggling to find his swing. Newman is batting .344 with three extra-base hits and five RBI through 14 games in 2019.

Riley was named the International League's Player of the Week on Monday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. Over Triple-A Gwinnett's seven games, Riley collected four home runs and eight RBI.

Riley's 1.184 OPS for the week was only marginally better than his 1.047 mark for 2019, illustrating his utter dominance in his return to Triple-A this season. In addition to his ridiculous power production, Riley has trimmed his strikeout rate from 29.3 percent in 2018 to 19.7 percent this season. Riley seems to have little left to prove offensively in the minors, so at this point, an eventual call to the big leagues might come down to his ability to capably handle left field. A corner infielder for much of his career, Riley has made four of his last five starts in the outfield as the Braves presumably assess his viability as a utility bat.

Suarez went 2-for-5 with a stolen base and two runs Sunday in the Reds' 6-5 loss to the Giants.

After Suarez concluded the Reds' homestand May 6 with his third home run in as many days, it was fair to be skeptical about him continuing his power surge during the team's six-game road swing in the Bay Area. The unfavorable hitting environments in Oakland and San Francisco did little to slow down the hot bat of Suarez, who went 10-for-26 with six extra-base hits (including two home runs) and chipped in a steal between the two series. Fantasy managers should have no second thoughts about keeping Suarez active this week with six home games on tap.

Donaldson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Donaldson will sit out the series finale in what's likely a pre-planned maintenance day. After managing only four hits in 27 at-bats through his first eight games with the Braves, Donaldson has slashed .288/.403/.567 in his subsequent 29 contests to reward those that invested in him on draft day.

Anderson and the Marlins won't play the Mets on Sunday after the contest was postponed due to inclement weather in New York.

The two teams will make up the postponed game as part of a doubleheader Aug. 5. The Marlins will return to action Tuesday for the start of a two-game set with the Rays at home.

Longoria went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Reds.

Longoria delivered his third home run over his last five contests and sixth overall this season. Saturday's was the veteran's first long ball at cavernous Oracle Park this year, which highlights his drastic home/road splits (.136/.164/.203 in San Francisco compared to .313/.380/.609 elsewhere). The Giants' brass is considering moving in the fences at some point in the future, which could help a player like Longoria, who is clearly feeling the effects of the pitcher-friendly stadium in the twilight of his proud career. For now, the 33-year-old remains a deep-league option with modest power, but not much else to offer fantasy owners.

McMahon is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Padres.

McMahon and Garrett Hampson have been deployed in a pretty strict platoon at second base -- McMahon has made just a trio of starts against left-handed pitching -- and that will continue Saturday with Hampson getting the nod against Joey Lucchesi. Since his return from a left elbow sprain in mid-April, McMahon is slashing .231/.315/.369 with three home runs in 65 at-bats.

Davis went 3-for-5 with a run scored in Friday's rout of the Marlins.

It was his first multi-hit performance since April 19, and Davis hit only .214 (6-for-28) between those games. With Todd Frazier healthy and Jed Lowrie (knee) soon to follow suit, Davis will need to string some big games together if he wants to keep a consistent spot in the Mets' lineup.

Vargas was optioned to Triple-A Reno following Friday's game, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Vargas started Friday's game and four of the last six games for the Diamondbacks, but he went just 3-for-15 over that span to match his .200 batting average on the season, so the club decided to send him down to make some adjustments. A corresponding roster move will be announced at some point Saturday.

Machado went 3-for-5 with an RBI in Friday's 12-2 loss to the Rockies.

He got a weekend series in Coors Field started on the right foot. Machado's hit safely in nine of the last 10 games, slugging four homers over that stretch, but his .250/.325/.438 slash line through his first 38 contests for the Padres remains below the expectations established by his mammoth contract.