MLB Player News

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.

Escobar went 1-for-5 with an RBI in Monday's 10-3 win over the Padres.

Escobar singled home a run in the second inning, snapping a run of 13 at-bats without a hit. Arizona's starting third baseman is off to a slow start, hitting .150 (3-for-20) over five games. In news that tangentially relates to Escobar, manager Torey Lovullo had first baseman Jake Lamb work out at third base Monday, preparing him to occasionally play there. The manager is looking for a way to get both Lamb and Christian Walker in the lineup together; when Lamb plays third, Escobar loses at-bats.

Arenado went 3-for-4 with an RBI double in a 7-1 loss to Tampa Bay on Monday.

Arenado drove home the Rockies' lone run with a sixth-inning double. The superstar third baseman is 7-for-22 to start the year but has just two RBI and two extra-base hits. Then again, he hasn't had the opportunity to hit at Coors Field yet, where his power will surely flourish as usual.

Longoria (calf) is starting at third base and hitting third Monday against the Dodgers, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

As expected, Longoria is back in action after being limited to pinch-hit duties Sunday due to a minor calf injury. The veteran infielder will look to stay hot at the dish, as he's gone 4-for-11 with a homer and two RBI through four games this season.

Muncy is not in the lineup Monday against the Padres, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Muncy will give way to David Freese at first base with lefty Drew Pomeranz slated to start for the opposition. Through four games this season, Muncy is 2-for-15 with a homer and four RBI.

Vargas was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Monday.

Vargas will head to the minors after going 1-for-6 with a double and a run scored in the team's season-opening series against the Dodgers. Jon Duplantier will take his spot on the Diamondbacks' active roster.

Longoria (calf) is available to pinch hit Sunday and will return to the lineup Monday, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Longoria wasn't scheduled to be in the lineup Sunday after fouling a pitch off his calf Saturday. However, the issue apparently won't affect him in the long term, as he will rejoin the lineup against the Dodgers on Monday.

Vargas will start at third base and bat second Sunday against the Dodgers.

Vargas was recalled to the majors after Steven Souza (knee) required season-ending surgery. Sunday will mark his first start of the season, and he'll draw a tough matchup against Walker Buehler. He has appeared in two of the team's three games this season, once as a pinch hitter and once as a defensive replacement.

Davis will start at third base and bat cleanup Sunday against the Nationals.

Davis will replace Jeff McNeil at third base and hit in the heart of the Mets' lineup, immediately after Robinson Cano. It will be Davis' second start of the season, and he'll look to build off a two-RBI performance Saturday.

Longoria was removed from Saturday's game against the Padres via a double switch after fouling a pitch off his calf, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Longoria apparently could have stayed in the game if needed, but the team opted to play it safe during the first series of the season. The 33-year-old isn't scheduled to be in the lineup for Sunday's series finale but seems on track to return Monday against the Dodgers.