MLB Player News

Candelario was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Bruce Levine of 670 The Score reports.

The Cubs promoted the 22-year-old Candelario after Chris Coghlan (ribs) exited Saturday's game and was forced to the 15-day DL. Candelario rates as one of the Cubs' better prospects and was slashing an impressive .333/.452/.600 over 75 at-bats, but it looks like he'll primarily serve in a reserve role in his first stint in the majors.

Devers went 3-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored for High-A Salem on Saturday.

That slow opening month, when Devers hit .138 in 21 April games, had us wondering about his status as a top prospect in the organization, but the third baseman overcame his first real test of adversity. He followed up, hitting .245 in May, then .313 in June. In his last 23 games, Devers has slashed .349/.398/.488 and bumped up his season average to .246.

LeMahieu (knee) is back in the lineup Saturday, batting second and playing second base against the Dodgers.

After a five-game absence due to a left knee contusion, LeMahieu will draw back into the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers. His return is a huge boon for the Rockies, as the second baseman will likely avoid a stint on the DL, provided his knee issue is behind him. He'll bat second in the order Saturday against Dodgers lefty Scott Kazmir.

Escobar suffered a hamstring strain in Saturday's game against Texas.

Escobar was dealt the injury when he slid at home plate early in the game, but he managed to return to the field for the bottom of the inning. In his next at-bat, it was apparent the injury was a bit more serious as he limped to first base during a flyout, prompting his exit from the game. Depending on the severity of the hamstring strain -- details of which will likely be released Saturday night or Sunday -- the 27-year-old could be sidelined for a couple days or could be headed for a DL stint.

Rendon is out of the lineup for Saturday's duel with Cincinnati, Chase Hughes of CSNMA reports.

Rendon, who started the Nats' last 12 games, will begin Saturday's game on the bench as Stephen Drew fills in for him at third base. After batting just over .200 through the first month of the season, the 26-year-old has turned things around, slashing .287/.374/.473 over his last 47 games.

Escobar left Saturday's game with an undisclosed injury, LaVelle Neal of the Star Tribune reports.

Escobar came up limping after sliding into home early in Saturday's contest, but he was able to come back onto the field to take up his post at shortstop. However, it was clear that something was wrong in his next at-bat, when he flew out and kept limping while running to first. Danny Santana took over at shortstop in place of Escobar. The Twins will likely have a further update on Escobar's injury late Saturday.

Plouffe is out of the lineup Saturday against the Rangers.

Miguel Sano, who is starting at third base and hitting third Saturday, played primarily at the hot corner during his rehab assignment, so it stands to reason that he'll spend a good chunk of time there over the rest of the season. The Twins' optimal lineup may be Sano at DH and Plouffe at third, but whenever they want to give someone else the nod at DH, Plouffe could wind up on the bench.

Plouffe went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer Friday against the Rangers.

Plouffe's seventh homer of the year off Martin Perez erased a 2-0 Twins' deficit in the seventh inning of a game they'd go on to lose in extra innings. He's left the yard four times since June 7 to raise his slugging percentage to.399 on the year.

LeMahieu (knee) remains out of the lineup Friday against the Dodgers, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports.

Make it five straight absences for LeMahieu, who continues to nurse a left knee contusion he suffered last weekend. However, LeMahieu's ability to pinch hit Tuesday would seem to suggest he's safe from the DL for the time being. Daniel Descalso continues to fill in at second base with Cristhian Adames (starting for Trevor Story) in the two-hole.

Escobar is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rangers, Brandon Warne of Cold Omaha reports.

Eduardo Nunez will take over at short against lefty Martin Perez, pushing Escobar to the bench as he did Tuesday when the Twins faced a lefty. Escobar got the nod Thursday against lefty Carlos Rodon but went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. The switch-hitting Escobar has fared better against left-handed pitching overall than against righties to this point, but it looks like he will continue sit occasionally against opposing lefty starters.