MLB Player News

Moncada went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional run Monday in the White Sox's 11-1 win over the Twins.

Moncada put the finishing touches on the White Sox's blowout victory, taking Charlie Barnes deep 433 feet to center field with one out in the top of the ninth inning. The home run was only the second in 18 games for Moncada, who hasn't made up for the lack of power production by running. He's attempted five steals all season while getting caught twice, as the top-to-bottom strength of the White Sox lineup has presumably had a hand in Moncada running the bases less aggressively.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Bregman (hamstring) is taking a few days off for treatment and won't be activated from the injured list for another 7-to-10 days, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Bregman seemed to be closing in on a return, as he's already played seven rehab games, but it sounds as though he's suffered some sort of setback. The exact nature of that setback is unclear, but he'll rest for a few days before playing a few more rehab games. His eventual return to the big-league roster now looks like it will come sometime next week.

Ramirez went 2-for-4 with a home run, a triple, a walk, three RBI and two runs scored in Monday's 9-3 win over Cincinnati.

The third baseman reached the 25-homer mark for the third time in his career. Ramirez has already gone yard three times through eight games in August, adding six RBI and six runs scored. For the season, he's slashing .257/.342/.536 with 68 RBI, 73 runs scored, 13 stolen bases and three triples.

Duffy is out of the lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Brewers.

Duffy had started each of the past three games at third base, going 3-for-12 with a walk, a run and a stolen base. The Cubs are deploying Frank Schwindel and Patrick Wisdom at first and third base, respectively, in the series opener with Milwaukee, and manager David Ross is expected to favor those two at the corner-infield spots for the time being. Duffy can play second base and left field, so there are other pathways to playing time.

Freeman underwent season-ending surgery on his left shoulder Monday.

More specifically, the procedure addressed the labrum of Freeman's left shoulder, which had been a concern for the 22-year-old since late June. He was on Double-A Akron's 7-day injured list for approximately three weeks before returning to action July 18, but he appeared in only five games before being shut down again. Freeman is expected to make a full recovery from surgery and could be available for the start of the 2022 minor-league season.

LeMahieu is starting at second base and batting fifth Monday at Kansas City.

LeMahieu has batted leadoff in all but one start this season, in which he batted second, so it's a significant drop in the order from manager Aaron Boone. The 33-year-old has a poor .702 OPS for the season and has struggled even more since the All-Star break with a .250/.307/.325 slash line. Brett Gardner was inserted into the leadoff spot for the Yankees, which is hardly a long-term solution atop the order, so it remains to be seen whether this is a lineup change that sticks.

Urshela (hamstring) suffered a setback and isn't expected to return from the injured list this week, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

The 29-year-old was targeting a Wednesday activation, but that's no longer possible after he suffered a setback while participating in ground ball drills Monday. The severity of the setback remains unclear, though it's safe to push back Urshela's expected return to at least next week.

Donaldson (hamstring) isn't starting Monday's game against the White Sox.

Donaldson was able to return to action Thursday and Friday after he was held out of the lineup for five games due to a hamstring injury last week. However, the 35-year-old is apparently still dealing with the issue, as he'll now be out of the lineup for a third consecutive game. Luis Arraez will start at the hot corner while Trevor Larnach takes over in left field.

Moustakas will sit against Cleveland on Monday.

Moustakas and Eugenio Suarez are expected to platoon at third base down the stretch. The Reds deviated from that plan Sunday, starting Suarez at the hot corner even with righty Bryse Wilson on the mound for the Pirates, but that was presumably because they didn't want Moustakas starting three straight games immediately after returning from a long absence. Lefty Sam Hentges will be on the mound for Cleveland on Monday, so Moustakas will again sit in favor of Suarez.

Ramirez went 2-for-4 with a double, two stolen bases and a run scored in Sunday's 7-5 win over Detroit.

The third baseman scored the game's opening run after a first-inning double. In the seventh, Ramirez was a menace on the basepaths, stealing second and third after hitting a single. Despite battling elbow soreness, Ramirez has been productive when in the lineup lately. He's gone 12-for-45 (.267) with four home runs, eight RBI, seven runs scored and three stolen bases in his last 11 games.