MLB Player News

Muncy (knee) has begun using a stationary bike, and manager Dave Roberts said Friday that the third baseman is "trending really well," per MLB.com.

Muncy suffered a left knee bone bruise July 2 and was placed on the 10-day injured list the following day. He's likely to miss at least six weeks of action, so mid-August seems to be the earliest target for his return. Tommy Edman and Miguel Rojas have been handling duties at the hot corner while Muncy has been out.

Norby isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Baltimore due to left hand soreness, Nate Karzmer of FishOnFirst.com reports.

Norby has collected a base hit in each of his last five games, but he'll take a day off Saturday to recover from a hand injury that popped up during his final plate appearance Friday. Javier Sanoja will get the nod to start at third base instead while batting ninth.

Mauricio is not in Saturday's lineup against the Royals.

Mauricio likely would have been in Saturday's lineup, but Angel Zerpa has replaced Michael Lorenzen (illness) as the starting pitcher for the Royals. With a lefty now on the mound, Mauricio will shift to the bench with Tyrone Taylor entering the lineup to man center field.

Vargas isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Cleveland.

Vargas will catch his breath Saturday after playing both games of Friday's twin bill, during which he went 1-for-7 with an RBI and a walk. Lenyn Sosa will take over at first base while Vargas sits, opening up second base for Chase Meidroth.

Arenado (finger) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game versus Atlanta.

Arenado sprained his right index finger during Friday's contest -- the second time he's done so in the past two weeks. He'll take a day off to heal Saturday, and the Cardinals may opt to keep him on the bench until play resumes following the All-Star break.

Bregman went 1-for-4 in Friday's 5-4 win over Tampa Bay.

Bregman was activated from the injured list Friday after missing 43 games due to a quadriceps injury. He had batted third prior to the injury but was moved to second in the order Friday. Bregman returned to a team that traded Rafael Devers, promoted top prospect Roman Anthony and welcomed back veteran Masataka Yoshida off the injured list, so the spots in the upper third of the batting order could fluctuate.

Mayer went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Friday's 5-4 win over the Rays.

Mayer had a run-scoring double for the second straight game, both of which helped the Red Sox come back after the Rays had taken a lead. He's set to become the primary second baseman after the team activated third baseman Alex Bregman from the injured list Friday. Mayer, who is batting .225 through 38 games, has hit safely in three straight games, going 4-for-11 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored.

Shaw isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees.

Shaw has been held hitless in his last 21 at-bats and will get a day off Saturday to regroup. Jon Berti will start at third base and bat ninth for Chicago.

Atlanta placed Riley on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a right abdominal strain.

Riley's abdomen forced him to make an early exit during the fourth inning of Friday's contest, and now that further evaluation has confirmed a strain, he'll remain on the sidelines until at least July 22. Nacho Alvarez will come up from Triple-A Gwinnett to replenish Atlanta's infield depth, though Luke Williams is the most likely option to take over at third base until Riley returns.

Atlanta recalled Alvarez from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

Alvarez made his return to Gwinnett's lineup Friday after sitting out with an oblique injury, and he'll now move up to the majors to replace Austin Riley (abdomen) on the active roster. Alvarez has gone 3-for-30 across eight games in his MLB career, though he owns a 1.120 OPS through 12 Triple-A games this year.