MLB Player News

Escobar went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Pirates.

Escobar had been languishing in the low .200s for much of April but has put together a mini-run since the weekend. He's 8-for-17 with two home runs, four RBI and four runs scored over the last four games, raising his average to .270. Earlier in the season, when Escobar was struggling, the Diamondbacks were giving Jake Lamb (quadriceps) playing time at third base. That may still happen when Lamb returns in May, but removing Escobar from the lineup is a more difficult decision if he's producing.

Chapman went 1-for-2 with three walks and a solo home run in Tuesday's 11-5 win over the Rangers.

The third baseman has been showing exceptional patience lately, drawing seven free passes in the last three games, and he was rewarded Tuesday with a fastball he yanked over the left-field fence in the first inning for his seventh homer of the year. Chapman's .318/.417/.624 slash line through 26 contests puts the 25-year-old on pace for a breakout in his third MLB campaign.

Muncy isn't in Tuesday's starting lineup against the Cubs.

Muncy will head to the bench with lefty Jose Quintana taking the mound for the opposition. David Freese enters the lineup at first base and will bat third with Muncy riding the pine.

Rendon (elbow) could be available to pinch hit Tuesday against the Rockies, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Rendon is out of the lineup for the third straight day but he was able to hit in the cage Tuesday and appears to be progressing towards a return. The Nationals have a scheduled off-day Thursday, so it would make sense if the team played it safe with Rendon and also held him out of Wednesday's series finale.

Moustakas (finger) took batting practice on the field Tuesday to determine his availability moving forward, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Moustakas was left out of the starting lineup Tuesday, and his availability for the next few games will likely depend on how his finger feels during batting practice. The veteran third baseman could be used off the bench Tuesday and Wednesday if it's deemed that he can play through the injury.

Senzel (ankle) has been activated from the 7-day injured list and will play at Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, Fletcher Page of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Senzel feared his injury was much worse initially, but he's managed to return in just under a month from a right ankle sprain. He'll look to build on a successful 2018 campaign with the Bats and will continue to get reps in center field.

Rendon (elbow) isn't in Tuesday's starting lineup against the Rockies, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Rendon has now been out of the starting lineup for three straight days after getting drilled by a pitch on his left elbow in Saturday's contest. Howie Kendrick continues to benefit from Rendon's absence and will again start at the hot corner.

Moustakas (finger) isn't starting Tuesday against the Cardinals.

Moustakas will miss his third straight game since fracturing his right ring finger, and even though the Brewers are optimistic about his chances of avoiding an extended absence, he'll likely require a trip to the injured list if he doesn't show improvement soon. Hernan Perez will once again start at second base and bat sixth.

The Cardinals optioned Robinson to Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday.

Robinson's stay with the big club lasted just one day, with the utility man delivering a pinch-hit single in his lone at-bat during Monday's 13-5 win over the Brewers. His removal from the active roster clears a spot for pitcher Daniel Ponce de Leon, who is scheduled to start Tuesday.

Candelario will start at third base and serve as the Tigers' leadoff hitter in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Red Sox, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Candelario had led off on two other occasions this season, but both came when Josh Harrison was receiving the day off for rest purposes. The struggling Harrison will be included in the lineup as the No. 7 hitter for the front end of the twin bill, however, signaling that Candelario may represent the Tigers' new top option atop the batting order. Candelario has only managed a .614 OPS through his first 79 plate appearances, but that's still far better than what Harrison (.384 OPS) has been able to provide thus far.