MLB Player News

Moustakas went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and three runs in an 11-9 victory against the Reds on Wednesday.

This was his second three-hit game that included a home run since May 16, but in his other four games since then, he went 2-for-14 (.143). Overall, the hot and cold days over the last seven days have moved his average up one point. Moustakas is batting .260 with a .531 slugging percentage, 12 home runs, 30 RBI, 30 runs and three steals in 177 at-bats this season.

LeMahieu went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk in Wednesday's 7-5 win over the Orioles.

LeMahieu extended his streak of multi-hit games to four and is 8-for-18 with two homers, seven runs scored and four RBI in that stretch. The 30-year-old has excelled out of the leadoff spot for the Yankees and is slashing .329/.374/.459 in 44 games this season.

Duffy was removed from Wednesday's game with Triple-A Durham after aggravating his left hamstring injury, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Duffy was playing the outfield during his rehab assignment with the Bulls, but apparently aggravated the issue running out a groundball, per Durham broadcaster Patrick Kinas. The 28-year-old had his rehab stint "paused" for a few days a couple weeks ago, but Wednesday's aggravation has potential to be an actual setback. Duffy has been battling the hamstring issue since late February.

Escobar went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI on Wednesday against the Padres.

Escobar accounted for the team's only runs Wednesday, doubling in a run in the sixth inning and following that up with an RBI single in the ninth frame. He continues to rank among the National League leaders in RBI, with his performance Wednesday bringing his total on the season to 34. Escobar has swung the bat especially well of late, smacking four home runs, two triples and two doubles across his past 10 games. He's now hitting .279/.344/.547 in 212 plate appearances.

Donaldson is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Giants.

The presence of top prospect Austin Riley on the MLB roster affords the Braves the luxury of giving Donaldson the occassional day off without sacrificing any thump in the lineup. Riley is starting at the hot corner and hitting fifth.

Urshela is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Orioles.

Urshela hasn't cooled down after his hot start, hitting .340/.367/.468 over his last 14 games. DJ LeMahieu slides over to third base in his absence, with Thairo Estrada starting at second.

Longoria went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Braves.

Longoria retreated to the bench Monday in favor of Pablo Sandoval's hot bat. The latter did little with his opportunity (0-for-4), and Longoria returned to his usual spot at the hot corner and fifth in the order Tuesday. The 33-year-old has turned back the clock a bit in the month of May, slashing .273/.373/.523 with three home runs in 11 starts.

Vargas will start at second base and serve as the Diamondbacks' leadoff hitter Wednesday against the Padres.

Jarrod Dyson will check out of the lineup with a lefty (Eric Lauer) on the bump for San Diego, opening the door for Vargas to set the table for the second time this season. The leadoff assignment gives Vargas some more intrigue than usual for DFS purposes, though it's worth noting he's only been a career .218/.227/.333 (43 wRC+) hitter in his limited opportunities to date at the MLB level.

Escobar went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a loss to San Diego on Tuesday.

Escobar launched a shot to left field off Matt Strahm to put the Diamondbacks on the board in the fourth inning. He has largely flown under the radar this season but now has as many homers (11) as fellow third basemen Kris Bryant and Nolan Arenado. The 30-year-old has built on last season's performance and now has a slash line of .274/.341/.543.

Duffy (hamstring) started in left field in Triple-A Durham's win over Norfolk on Tuesday and went 0-for-4 before being replaced for a pinch hitter in the eighth inning.

It was yet another important step in the recovery process for Duffy, who's played third base, shortstop, designated hitter, and now, left field, during his rehab. The veteran hasn't had much success at the plate in his minor-league outings, but of greater importance is that his balky hamstring has passed all of the tests it's been put through. The earliest date Duffy can come off the injured list is next Monday.