MLB Player News

Vargas (hand) is starting at third base and batting third against the Giants on Friday.

Vargas was not in Wednesday's lineup against the Mariners due to a hand injury, though he ended up entering the game in the eighth inning to pinch hit and drew a walk. He is slashing .237/.367/.485 with seven steals, 11 home runs and 29 RBI across 207 plate appearances this season.

The Angels selected Walton's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

Both Walton and Wade Meckler are joining the Halos, with Yoan Moncada (knee) going to the 10-day injured list and Josh Lowe being sent down to Salt Lake. Walton turns 32 years old Monday and is a career .172/.223/.298 hitter with four home runs, 23 RBI and 21 runs scored across 214 big-league plate appearances. He's slashed .282/.429/.481 with seven long balls, 33 RBI, 33 runs scored, three stolen bases and a 32:21 BB:K across 168 trips to the plate at Triple-A this season. Walton is starting at third base and batting ninth Friday against the Rangers.

The Angels placed Moncada on the 10-day injured list Friday with a right knee injury, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Moncada said Thursday that he's been dealing with knee problems lately, which helps explain why he's been absent from the lineup for each of the Angels' last three games. He received an MRI on Friday, and although the team is still waiting for the results, they'll move him to the IL to ensure he has time to recover. Donovan Walton was selected to the active roster in a corresponding move and will start at third base Friday against Texas, though Vaughn Grissom could also be in the mix for reps at the hot corner until Moncada returns.

The Reds placed Hayes on the 10-day injured list Friday with a lumbar bulging disc.

The third baseman's back has been an issue for years, and per C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic it has bothered him off and on this season. The plan is for Hayes to get healed up before reporting to the team's spring training complex in Arizona to initiate his rehab. It sounds like an injury that is likely to keep him out beyond 10 days, and the Reds could want him to find a groove at the plate on a rehab assignment before reinstating him. The 29-year-old is slashing an ugly .142/.195/.225 this season. Sal Stewart will likely continue handling the bulk of the workload at the hot corner in his absence, with Eugenio Suarez also an option once he comes off the IL.

The Reds activated Suarez (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

He missed exactly one month of action with a left oblique strain but is ready to go after participating in two rehab games, going 1-for-7 with a double. Reds manager Terry Francona said Friday that Suarez will be eased back into an everyday role, as they "don't want to run him into the ground," Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

The Cubs recalled Ramirez from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The 22-year-old will fill the roster spot vacated by Matt Shaw (back). Ramirez has had a scorching start to the season at Iowa, slashing .312/.395/.547 with nine home runs and 19 stolen bases in 43 games. There's not a clear path to playing time for Ramirez, though he offers the flexibility to fill in at multiple positions.

Bichette went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Thursday's win over the Nationals.

It wasn't much, but Bichette's two-run single in the third inning wound up being all the offense David Peterson and the Mets' bullpen would need on the day. Bichette has racked up seven hits and nine RBI over the last four games as he shows signs of getting comfortable in his new uniform, but on the season the former Blue Jay is slashing just .225/.276/.328 through 50 contests with five homers, one steal, 24 runs and 27 RBI.

Ramirez was spotted in the Cubs' clubhouse Friday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

There's no word on whether Ramirez will be added to the active roster or is on the taxi squad, but the Cubs should provide clarity soon. Ramirez has certainly done enough at Triple-A Iowa to earn a promotion, slashing .312/.395/.547 with nine home runs and 19 stolen bases in 43 games this season. The 22-year-old primarily plays second and third base, though he has a bit of experience at shortstop and in left field, as well.

The Twins placed Gray on the paternity leave list Friday.

Gray could miss the full weekend series in Boston before rejoining the club early next week for a series against the White Sox. Ryan Kreidler, Orlando Arcia and Kody Clemens are options to pick up playing time while Gray is welcoming a new baby to the family.

Stevens had his contract selected from Triple-A Albuquerque and is starting Thursday's contest at second base against the Diamondbacks.

Stevens will join the big-league club after posting an impressive .362 average with three home runs, 25 RBI, 31 runs scored and six stolen bases in 40 contests with Triple-A Albuquerque this season. The 27-year-old will make his Rockies debut at second base, batting ninth in the series opener at Arizona. In order to make room on the 40-man roster for Stevens, left-handed pitcher Carson Palmquist was designated for assignment, and Brenton Doyle (oblique) was placed on the 10-day injured list.