MLB Player News

McMahon is starting at first base and batting seventh during Sunday's game against the Marlins, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

McMahon will draw his first major-league start as Mark Reynolds heads to the bench for a day of rest. Consistent playing time may be hard to come by for the impressive prospect, but if he's able to make the most of his early opportunities he could work himself into a more regular role with the big-league club moving forward. He'll get his first true test Sunday against Vance Worley and the Marlins.

Suarez could see time at shortstop over the final seven weeks of the season, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds designated Arismendy Alcantara for assignment, so Suarez is now higher on the depth chart at shortstop. Zack Cozart is still expected to get occasional days off for the quad injury that has twice placed him on the disabled list, so on days when he is out and Jose Peraza is in, Suarez would essentially be the backup there, and he could even see a few starts there before the season is over.

Arenado went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run in Friday's 6-3 loss to the Marlins.

His third-inning shot off Jose Urena, Arenado's 26th of the year, gave the Rox an early lead that the bullpen would eventually squander, but it also made the third baseman the first player this season to reach 100 RBI. The 26-year-old has improved his OPS every year he's been in the majors, up to his current .957 mark, and he may not have peaked yet.

McMahon is not in Friday's lineup against the Marlins.

He was promoted prior to this weekend's series in Miami, but will be an observer at the outset of his first game in the big leagues. Mark Reynolds (hand) returns to action at first base, and Nolan Arenado and DJ LeMahieu are entrenched at the other two positions McMahon has experience at, so it's possible he will be confined to a bench role for now. That said, McMahon's upside is significant, especially given the Rockies' home ballpark, so he is still worth adding in deeper leagues in case he is able to wrestle away a good chunk of that playing time at first base. He hit .354/.401/.587 with 19 home runs in 108 games between Double-A and Triple-A this year. McMahon also chipped in 11 steals on 14 attempts, although he does not project to be a double-digit contributor in that category over a full big-league season.

McMahon's contract was purchased from Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

Mark Reynolds is day-to-day with a hand injury, so McMahon figures to start at first base in the first game of this weekend's series in Miami. A third baseman by trade, McMahon has been working at first base and occasionally second base in the upper levels of the minors, as he is blocked by Nolan Arenado at the hot corner. Coming off a down year in 2016, McMahon has obliterated Double-A and Triple-A pitching alike, and was slashing .375/.409/.625 with 13 home runs and four steals in 59 games in the Pacific Coast League prior to his promotion. Raimel Tapia was optioned to Albuquerque as a corresponding move, and it would not be surprising if McMahon stayed up for good, even when Reynolds is fully healthy, although he may not play every day.

Rendon (illness) is back in the starting lineup Friday, batting sixth and playing third base, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

Rendon sat out Thursday's win against Miami due to flu-like symptoms, though he did make an appearance as a pinch hitter. Regardless, it appears the All-Star third baseman is good to go for this weekend's homestand with the Giants, where he'll be looking to break out of a 2-for-25 slump this month.

Suarez went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer, a walk and two runs scored Wednesday against the Padres.

Suarez took advantage of a matchup with struggling starter Travis Wood, taking him deep in the third inning for his 19th long ball of the season. The 26-year-old's bat has started to catch up to his exceptional glove at third base over the past two seasons, as he's showing last year's 21-homer campaign was no fluke. Suarez's isolated power also jumped over the .200 mark with this performance, representing a tremendous improvement from his previous high of .167.

Manager Dusty Baker said he will give Rendon the day off Thursday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

Rendon has apparently been battling an illness recently -- which may help explain his 1-for-12 stretch over his previous four games -- so Baker will give him Thursday's series finale off to help him recover. Howie Kendrick will likely play third base in his stead, though at this point it doesn't sound like Rendon will miss more than one game.

Asuaje is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Reds, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Asuaje heads to the bench after five straight starts for a regular day off in favor of Yangervis Solarte. After a hot start to the second half of the season, Asuaje is just 8-for-37 with two extra-base hits during the last 11 games.

LeMahieu (triceps) is starting at second base and hitting second Tuesday against the Indians, Andre Knott of WTAM 1100 reports.

He was scratched from Sunday's lineup with a bruised triceps, but the injury was apparently minor. LeMahieu is hitting .394/.455/.486 with one home run and two steals over his last 142 at-bats.