MLB Player News

Vargas was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Friday.

The 27-year-old was sent to the minors on Monday but is able to make a quick return with Jake Lamb (quadriceps) headed to the injured list. Vargas went 1-for-6 with a double and a run scored and should serve as a reserve infielder.

Newman made his first start of the season at shortstop Thursday, going 0-for-3 with an RBI groundout.

Fellow shortstop Erik Gonzalez has started four of the team's first five games, keeping Newman mostly tied to the bench. Gonzalez's play has been up and down, however, and Newman could work his way into the mix. The 2015 first-round pick has also practiced with the outfielders, a move that could increase his versatility.

Robinson was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Friday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The 26-year-old was able to crack the Opening Day roster as Jedd Gyorko (calf) started the season on the injured list, and Gyorko's return Friday spelled an end to this big-league stint. Robinson appeared solely as a pinch hitter and went 0-for-3 with one strikeout through the first six games of the year.

Rendon went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, a walk, a double and a solo home run in Wednesday's 9-8 win over the Phillies.

Rendon now has a home run in two straight games after hitting his first blast of the season in Tuesday's loss. The 28-year-old went 0-for-4 in the season opener but since has four straight multi-hit games with two doubles, two home runs and five RBI in that stretch.

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.