MLB Player News

Machado went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run, a pair of walks and two runs scored to help the Padres to a 4-1 win over the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

Machado was off to a bit of a slow start to his Padres tenure, with five hits in his first 23 at-bats, but he broke out in this one, turning on a pitch from Matt Andriese for a long two-run shot in the seventh inning for his first homer of the season. It was only a matter of time for the star third baseman, who is one of the premier offensive forces in baseball when he's locked in at the dish.

Muncy is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Giants, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Muncy will give way to David Freese at first base Wednesday with a left-hander in Derek Holland getting the ball first for the Giants. The 28-year-old is off to a slow start to the season, going 2-for-20 with a homer and four RBI through six games.

General manager Mike Rizzo said Wednesday that Kieboom won't be promoted from Triple-A Fresno to help the Nationals while Trea Turner (finger) is on the injured list, Byron Kerr of MASN Sports reports.

Turner is out indefinitely due to the non-displaced fracture of the index finger on his right (throwing) hand, leaving the team without its everyday shortstop and No. 2 hitter for an extended period of time. Though Kieboom's blend of contact skills and pop would likely make him the best replacement option for Turner from an offensive standpoint, the organization wants to work on his defense at both middle-infield spots at Fresno before he gets the call to the big leagues. As a result, the Nationals will cast their lot at shortstop with Wilmer Difo for now, while Adrian Sanchez will handle the super-utility role that Difo previously filled.

Escobar is starting at second base and hitting fifth Wednesday against the Padres.

Escobar is off to a slow start to the season, going 3-for-25 (.120) through six games. As such, he'll swap places in the lineup with Ketel Marte -- who is 7-for-14 with a pair of extra-base hits and a pair of stolen bases over his last three games -- for Wednesday's series finale.

Rendon went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run during Tuesday's 8-2 loss to the Phillies.

The 28-year-old produced the lone runs of the evening for the Nationals, who were unable to touch Phillies starter Zach Eflin. Rendon has gotten off to a hot start this season as he is 6-for-15 with one double, one home run and four RBI through the first four games.

Segura went 3-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and three RBI in Tuesday's 8-2 win over the Phillies.

Segura came up with a clutch bases-loaded double during the sixth inning to put the Phillies in complete control of the game. The RBI were the 29-year-old's first of the season. He is now 6-for-17 (.353 average) with five runs scored through four games.

Suarez went 2-for-3 with an RBI double and a solo homer in Cincinnati's 4-3 loss Tuesday against the Brewers.

Suarez came into the game just 1-for-10 on the young season, but drove in two of the Reds' three runs with a double in the fourth inning and a solo homer in the eighth.

Muncy is starting at first base and hitting seventh against the Giants on Tuesday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Muncy sat out Monday, but he's back in action for this tilt against the Giants and Madison Bumgarner. He had an .890 OPS over 102 at-bats against left-handed pitching in his breakout season last year, and he'll look to get his bat rolling in this contest as he's just 2-for-16 to start 2019.

McMahon is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rays.

With a tough southpaw on the bump in reigning American League Cy Young winner Blake Snell, the lefty-hitting McMahon will retreat to the bench, opening spots on the right side of the infield for Mark Reynolds and Garrett Hampson and designated-hitter duties for Pat Valaika. Valaika will more than likely be the odd man out when the Rockies play in National League parks, while one of Reynolds or Hampson will likely give way to McMahon against right-handed pitching. McMahon should have a fairly clear path to a strong-side platoon role for at least the next month while top first baseman Daniel Murphy (finger) is on the 10-day injured list.

Kieboom will open the season at Triple-A Fresno, Byron Kerr of MASN Sports reports.

A shortstop by trade, Kieboom is expected to see time at both middle-infield spots in his first taste of Triple-A. Though he only managed five home runs in 273 plate appearances at Double-A Harrisburg a season ago, Kieboom still projects as an impact bat who's capable of providing at least respectable power production to go along with a decent average in peak years. If he's able to hold his own at the plate in Fresno, he should debut with the Nationals at some point in 2019.