MLB Player News

LeMahieu is batting leadoff Friday against the Cubs, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

"DJ Le" batted leadoff the past five games, but that was more out of necessity as Charlie Blackmon moved down to the three-hole to replace Nolan Arenado while the third baseman was suspended. However, LeMahieu will stick in the pole position even with Arenado returning to action, suggesting a more long-standing change in the batting order. LeMahieu normally batted second last year and at the start of this season, but he could be in line for even more run-scoring opportunities with both Blackmon and Arenado hitting behind him.

The Rockies officially reinstated Arenado to the active roster Thursday after his five-game suspension concluded, MLB.com reports.

Colorado went 4-1 during the absence of its star third baseman, who received the suspension for his role in a bench-clearing brawl with the Padres on April 11. The Rockies haven't officially revealed their lineup for Friday's series opener with the Cubs, but Arenado is expected to be included in the starting nine barring a postponement of the game due to the rainy weather projected to hit the Denver area.

Anderson went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Thursday's loss to the Brewers.

The young third baseman is now 2-for-24 over the last week, dropping his slash line on the season to a weak .231/.367/.338. Anderson's 11:11 BB:K through 18 games remains strong, and his .264 BABIP is likely due for at least a mild rebound, but with Martin Prado (knee) having begun a rehab assignment Thursday and getting close to a return to action, the timing on Anderson's slump could not have been worse. The rebuilding Marlins will likely stick with the 24-year-old at the hot corner even after Prado's activation from the disabled list, but if Anderson's struggles continue through next week, a demotion to Triple-A to try and regain some confidence at the plate -- and open up a roster spot for Prado -- isn't out of the question.

Riley went 3-for-4 with two triples and two RBI for Double-A Mississippi in Wednesday's win over Pensacola.

It's the 21-year-old's third straight multi-hit game, pushing Riley's slash line on the season to a dizzying .370/.420/.739. His outlook for getting a quick promotion to Triple-A was complicated by the Braves' signing of Jose Bautista to a minor-league deal and the decision to try the veteran slugger out at third base, so despite his big numbers in the Southern League, Riley will probably have to bide his time with Mississippi until that experiment runs its course. He remains the future for the organization at the hot corner, however, even if his big-league debut gets delayed until 2019.

Longoria fell a triple short of the cycle Wednesday, going 3-for-4 with a double and a two-run home run in a 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

Longoria sat out Tuesday's contest with a barking left ankle. The day off worked wonders for the veteran third baseman, as he reached base four times and provided a much-needed spark for a struggling San Francisco offense. The 32-year-old has snapped out of his early slump, batting .435 (10-for-23) with six extra-base hits and five RBI over his last six games.

Longoria (ankle) is hitting fifth and playing third base Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Longoria was scratched from Tuesday's contest due to a left ankle injury, but it seems like the one night off was all he needed to get back into the lineup. He'll resume his normal spot in the lineup as he looks to improve upon his lowly .204 batting average.

Rendon (toe) is out of the lineup yet again Wednesday against the Mets.

Rendon fouled a pitch off his toe Friday and has now missed five straight games. At this point, he's missed half the time that he would have been out if he were placed on the disabled list right away, but since DL stints can only be backdated by three days, he'd have to miss another week if the Nationals decide to go that route. Washington has an off day Thursday, so it's possible that with one more day of rest he'll be good to go Friday against the Dodgers.

Suarez (thumb) has started some baseball activities and could travel with the club (to continue working out -- not to return from the DL) later this week, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports. "I just take the groundballs and put them on the side," Suarez said on Tuesday. "I try to grip the bat to see how it feels, but no swings or throwing yet. I will grab the ball and bat and see how much I can squeeze. That's all we're doing right now."

The Reds won't have a timetable yet for Suarez until he begins hitting and throwing, so while this news is positive, his return isn't yet imminent.

McMahon will start at third base and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Pirates, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Nolan Arenado's five-game suspension will conclude after Wednesday's game, so McMahon will likely head back to a regular bench role when the Rockies return to Colorado for their series opener with the Cubs on Friday. Though he's been included in the lineup in five of the Rockies' past seven games, McMahon has recorded just three hits while striking out in half of his 18 at-bats during that span.

Longoria was scratched from Tuesday's lineup against the Diamondbacks due to a left ankle injury, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic Bay Area reports.

An ankle issue that bothered Longoria during spring training resurfaced Tuesday, so Pablo Sandoval will now start at third base. Manager Bruce Bochy reported that Longoria would likely need a couple days to rest, so look for Sandoval to fill in at the hot corner in the meantime.