MLB Player News

Newman (abdomen) is starting at second base and hitting third in Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Cardinals.

Newman has been cleared to rejoin Pittsburgh's starting lineup after missing a pair of games with an abdomen issue. The infielder, who is hitting .269/.305/.346 through 20 games this season, will face Kwang-Hyun Kim in his return to action.

Sosa (illness) was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Thursday and optioned to the alternate site, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

He has yet to play in the majors this season and will continue to serve as organizational infield depth, most notably at shortstop. The Cardinals have many players still unavailable, but the infield is relatively healthy.

Arenado went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI, a run scored and a walk in Wednesday's win over Arizona.

Arenado has produced three multi-hit efforts in his last six games and also extended his hitting streak to three contests. The star third baseman has underperformed this season but is trending in the right direction, as he has gone 5-for-11 with a 3:1 BB:K, four RBI and three runs scored in 11 at-bats this week.

Moncada went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored in Wednesday's 10-3 win over Pittsburgh.

Moncada had one hit in his previous 15 at-bats before delivering multiple two-baggers Wednesday. He's been battling through leg soreness the last week, and the life his bat showed Wednesday is a positive sign.

Muncy hyperextended elbow on a play at first base during Tuesday's loss to the Giants, but he was able to stay in the game, Michael J. Duarte of NBC LA reports.

The play occurred in the sixth inning when Muncy reached for a throw. The 30-year-old insisted that he was fine, however, and played out the remainder of the 11-inning contest. Muncy was included in Wednesday's lineup before the game was postponed, so the issue does not appear to be of concern.

Duffy is part of the Yankees' current taxi squad, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Duffy was signed by the Yankees in late June but did not make the team's Opening Day roster. He provides versatility and plenty of big-league experience, though he is ineligible to play unless the team first clears room for him on the active roster.

Chapman (head) is expected to start Thursday's game against the Rangers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 27-year-old was hit in the helmet by a pitch Tuesday and was a late scratch from Wednesday's lineup, though he still appeared in the contest as a defensive replacement. Chapman didn't suffer a concussion, so the A's were likely just expressing caution with their third baseman.

Ramirez went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run and a walk in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Twins.

Ramirez put Cleveland ahead with his three-run blast off Twins starter Jose Berrios in the third inning. It's the sixth homer of the year for Ramirez, who has added eight stolen bases, 21 RBI and 23 runs scored while posting a .240/.336/.455 slash line in 31 games.

McMahon is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Diamondbacks.

McMahon will stick on the bench for a second straight game with the Rockies facing another southpaw in Robbie Ray. Brendan Rodgers is covering the keystone in his absence Wednesday.

Chapman was scratched from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers for an undisclosed reason.

Chapman remained in the game after being hit in the helmet by a pitch Tuesday, although the club hasn't confirmed whether his absence Wednesday is related. Vimael Machin will enter the lineup as the third baseman. Whether Chapman misses any additional time remains to be seen.