MLB Player News

Madrigal has been battling a minor hamstring issue for the past three weeks, but could return to the AZL this weekend, Scot Gregor of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

He has only logged three plate appearances as a pro, and now we know why. The middle infielder from Oregon State is considered to be the best pure hitter from the 2018 draft class, and also has impact speed on the bases.

Candelario (flu) is starting at third base and leading off Tuesday against the Rays, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

He missed Monday's game with the flu, but is back at the hot corner for the second game of the series with Tampa Bay. Candelario is hitting just .160/.273/.294 with a 29.5 percent strikeout rate since the start of June, so it may be best to take a wait-and-see approach before plugging him back in, despite the advantageous spot in the lineup.

Valencia is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Yankees, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Joey Rickard will take over in right field against right-hander Masahiro Tanaka. Valencia started both games of Monday's doubleheader, homering in the first game, and had started against the last three opposing right-handers prior to this absence. It seems safe to assume he will continue seeing regular playing time in the second half so long as he remains in Baltimore.

Valencia went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk in the first half of Monday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Valencia delivered a clutch hit in the sixth inning, blasting a three-run homer to give the Orioles a 5-4 lead. Prior to the game, he'd been hitless in his last eight tilts, with his batting average dipping from .286 to .258 over that span.

Peterson suffered a knee injury during Monday's doubleheader against the Yankees, Rich Dubroff of PressBoxonline.com reports.

Peterson was removed from the game as a precaution after colliding with the outfield wall. He was taken for X-rays, but the results came back negative so he'll be considered day-to-day moving forward.

Asuaje is out of Monday's lineup against the Dodgers.

He will take a seat with lefty Clayton Kershaw on the hill for the Dodgers. Righty-hitting Jose Pirela will start at second base and hit sixth.

Candelario is out of Monday's lineup against the Rays with flu-like symptoms, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

It could have easily been a performance-related absence, as Candelario is hitting just .160/.273/.294 with a 29.5 percent strikeout rate since the start of June. Ronny Rodriguez is starting at third base in his stead.

Candelario is out of Monday's lineup against the Rays.

Since the start of June, Candelario is hitting just .160/.273/.294 with four home runs and a 29.5 percent strikeout rate. He makes way for Ronny Rodriguez at third base.

Rivera entered Sunday's win over the Nats in the seventh inning as a pinch hitter, going 1-for-1 with a run scored and a stolen base.

The 26-year-old is back to coming off the bench now that Martin Prado has rejoined the lineup, and Rivera's .202/.316/.253 slash line on the season may keep him there even if injuries open up playing time around the Marlins' infield again. He currently qualifies at second base, third base and shortstop in most leagues and could add first base and outfield to his portfolio in the second half, but even in deep NL-only leagues, there's little reason to carry him on a fantasy roster.

Moncada went 1-for-4 with a run scored, extending his hitting streak to seven games in Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Astros.

As is the custom against left-handers, Moncada was dropped to the lower third of the order against Houston's Dallas Keuchel. He entered Sunday's game hitting .153 against left-handers before getting a hit in three at-bats against Keuchel. Manager Rick Renteria told Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun Times that he's considering moving Moncada up in the order so that he can get more opportunities as a right-handed batter, but not yet. And there are no plans to restrict him to batting left-handed only. ''My eyes tell me he has the skill set to hit from both sides of the plate. I could be wrong, but I don't even consider eliminating one side at this point at all. It's not even in the recesses of my mind right now. He has plenty of time to figure out how to manage that side," said Renteria.