MLB Player News

Riley was named the International League's Player of the Week on Monday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. Over Triple-A Gwinnett's seven games, Riley collected four home runs and eight RBI.

Riley's 1.184 OPS for the week was only marginally better than his 1.047 mark for 2019, illustrating his utter dominance in his return to Triple-A this season. In addition to his ridiculous power production, Riley has trimmed his strikeout rate from 29.3 percent in 2018 to 19.7 percent this season. Riley seems to have little left to prove offensively in the minors, so at this point, an eventual call to the big leagues might come down to his ability to capably handle left field. A corner infielder for much of his career, Riley has made four of his last five starts in the outfield as the Braves presumably assess his viability as a utility bat.

LeMahieu is not in the lineup Monday against the Orioles.

LeMahieu will retreat to the bench for Monday's series opener after starting the past nine games for the Yankees, going 14-for-40 (.400) with a homer and six RBI during that stretch. In his place, Thairo Estrada is starting at the keystone and hitting eighth Monday.

Devers went 3-for-5 with a double, two runs and an RBI in Sunday's 11-2 win over the Mariners.

Devers feasted on Seattle pitching all weekend, notching three hits in all three games of the series. The third baseman had already been a major asset in batting average this season, and the huge series lifted his mark up to .336. The 22-year-old hasn't quite lived up to expectations in the power department, but even things in that area seem to be improving. Three of his nine hits versus the Mariners went for extra bases (two doubles and a home run), and there should be more slugging production coming in the likely event his 6.5 percent HR/FB rate gradually veers closer to his 15.3 percent career rate.

Suarez went 2-for-5 with a stolen base and two runs Sunday in the Reds' 6-5 loss to the Giants.

After Suarez concluded the Reds' homestand May 6 with his third home run in as many days, it was fair to be skeptical about him continuing his power surge during the team's six-game road swing in the Bay Area. The unfavorable hitting environments in Oakland and San Francisco did little to slow down the hot bat of Suarez, who went 10-for-26 with six extra-base hits (including two home runs) and chipped in a steal between the two series. Fantasy managers should have no second thoughts about keeping Suarez active this week with six home games on tap.

Bregman went 3-for-5 with two home runs and five RBI in a 15-5 win over the Rangers on Sunday.

Bregman delivered in two RBI opportunities, blasting a two-run home run in the second inning and a three-run home run in the fifth inning. After having only one hit in his last four games, he busted out in a big way with his highest RBI total of the season. The 25-year-old is hitting .277 with 12 home runs and an impressive 26:26 K:BB through 39 games.

Donaldson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Donaldson will sit out the series finale in what's likely a pre-planned maintenance day. After managing only four hits in 27 at-bats through his first eight games with the Braves, Donaldson has slashed .288/.403/.567 in his subsequent 29 contests to reward those that invested in him on draft day.

Candelario will start at third base and bat seventh Sunday against the Twins, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Candelario served as the Tigers' leadoff man for every game between April 23 and May 9, but he appears to have surrendered that gig after managing a weak .192/.323/.288 slash line over that stretch. He'll now hit in the bottom half of the lineup for his third start in a row as manager Ron Gardenhire experiments with Niko Goodrum atop the order.

Chapman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Cleveland.

Chapman started the last 24 games at third base for Oakland but will head to the bench Sunday for third time this season. The 26-year-old is slashing .280/.371/.560 with 10 home runs, 10 doubles and 24 RBI through 41 games. Chad Pinder will start at the hot corner and bat sixth in his absence.

Astudillo (hamstring) will start at catcher and lead off in Sunday's game against the Tigers, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Reinstated from the 10-day injured list at the conclusion of Saturday's doubleheader, Astudillo will immediately step back into a prominent lineup spot in his first game back with the Twins. While Astudillo was sidelined, the hot-hitting Mitch Garver strengthened his hold on the top catching job, but Astudillo's defensive versatility should afford him multiple avenues to at least semi-regular action. Prior to getting hurt, Astudillo had hit .327 with six extra-base hits and just one strikeout in 53 plate appearances.

Candelario went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Twins, an 8-3 loss for the Tigers.

Candelario got a breather for Game 1 after going hitless in his previous 19 at-bats, and he responded with a second-inning blast off Kohl Stewart in his return to the lineup. It was only the second home run of the season for the 25-year-old after he popped 19 a season ago.