MLB Player News

Groshans hasn't hit a home run for Double-A New Hampshire since a two-homer effort back on June 25, though he's still managed to hit .294/.374/.412 with 10 doubles and an 11:18 BB:K in the 25 ensuing games.

His lack of home-run power is certainly concerning, but Groshans has kept hitting nonetheless, and he's cut down his strikeout rate to a noteworthy degree in the process. The Fisher Cats also play in a park that typically favors pitchers. Of course, as a guy who has minimal speed and is expected to land at third base in the majors, he's going to have to hit the ball out of the yard way more often. Groshans has only five homers on the season, and if he doesn't ultimately find a way to tap into his raw power, he'll run the risk of falling into more of a utility-type profile.

Wisdom is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the White Sox.

The stretch run for the Cubs will be all about auditioning players to see who deserves to be part of the club's future. Wisdom has made a strong case for himself in his 62 games already this season, homering 16 times while slashing .272/.335/.572, though his 37.9 percent strikeout rate casts doubt on the sustainability of that line. He looks set to continue featuring frequently over the final two months following the team's moves at the trade deadline, though it will be Frank Schwindel and Matt Duffy who start at the infield corners Friday.

Bregman (quadriceps) did not play for Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday but will start Friday, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Bregman, who was pulled from a rehab appearance Sunday due to hamstring tightness, last played in a game Tuesday before that contest was suspended due to rain. He did not finish up the suspended game Wednesday and will have had two full days off before continuing his rehab with the Skeeters over the weekend.

Rivera went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Thursday's win over the White Sox.

Rivera hit a two-run double in the first inning off Dallas Keuchel to put the Royals on the board. He was the only player in the game with multiple RBI. The 25-year-old recently returned from the IL and has appeared in just four games this season, going 3-for-13. This was his first extra-base hit and RBI of the season.

Riley went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and a strikeout as Atlanta defeated St. Louis, 8-4 on Thursday.

After getting out in his first three at-bats, Riley homered in the eighth off Giovanny Gallegos to tie the game and then singled in the ninth to continue a two-week hot stretch that's seen the third baseman go 22-for-55. The 24-year-old is now slashing .292/.372/.525 with 24 home runs. 58 runs and 67 RBI.

Suarez went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Thursday's 7-4 win over the Pirates.

Suarez slammed a three-run homer in the second inning off Wil Crowe, extending the early lead to four runs. His 22 homers are tied with Joey Votto for most on the Reds. The 29-year-old has a hit in each of his last six games, with three long balls in that span. On the season, he is slashing a poor .177/.260/.379 in 438 plate appearances. This is the first time in his career he has consistently hit below the Mendoza Line.

Suarez, who is batting eighth Thursday night against the Pirates, has been working to improve against high fastballs, a particular weak point of his this season, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Suarez is at risk of losing playing time once Mike Moustakas returns from the IL, as Kyle Farmer and Jonathan India have been playing too well to sit, especially with Farmer being a better defensive option than Suarez at shortstop.

Ramirez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Blue Jays.

Ernie Clement will fill in at third base for Ramirez, who looks to be getting a maintenance day after staring each of Cleveland's last 11 games. Shortly before manager Terry Francona announced in late July that he was leaving the team to focus on his health, he mentioned that Ramirez could be subject to more frequent days off in the second half of the season while the 28-year-old manages a lingering elbow issue. Ramirez isn't expected to be shut down for the injury, but it wouldn't be surprising if he received one day off a week by the time September rolls around, especially with little at stake for a Cleveland team that currently finds itself out of the American League playoff picture.

Donaldson (hamstring) is starting Thursday's game against the Astros.

Donaldson was excluded from the lineup in each of the last five games due to right hamstring tightness, but he went 0-for-2 with a strikeout as a pinch hitter across the last two contests. He'll serve as the designated hitter and bat third Thursday.

Castro isn't starting Thursday's game against the Reds.

Castro has gone 0-for-8 with a walk and five strikeouts across the last two games, and he'll get a chance to reset in Thursday's series opener. Hoy Park will start at the keystone and lead off.