MLB Player News

LeMahieu (calf) remains absent from the lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Marlins.

LeMahieu hasn't played since Monday while dealing with a sore right calf. A trip to the injured list appears unlikely, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports, as the veteran took grounders at third base prior to Saturday's game and appears to be working toward his return. Isiah Kiner-Falefa remains the starting third baseman for now.

Duffy went 1-for-3 with two RBI in Friday's 12-8 win over the Cardinals.

Duffy didn't start the game, but he checked in at third base after Maikel Garcia (upper body) exited. After starting the year fairly well in a limited role, Duffy has been pretty quiet, batting .218 with a .530 OPS over 33 games since the start of June. He's at a .260/.314/.322 slash line with a home run, 10 RBI, 12 runs scored and six doubles through 159 plate appearances overall. If Garcia ends up on the injured list, Duffy or Matt Beaty would be most likely to pick up additional time at the hot corner.

Ramirez will begin serving a two-game suspension Saturday for fighting White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson last weekend, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Ramirez was initially suspended for three games for his role last Saturday's brawl, but the ban has been reduced to two games on appeal. He'll miss both weekend contests against the Rays but will be available when the Guardians head to Cincinnati on Tuesday.

Vargas went 2-for-4 with a home run, four RBI and two runs in Friday's win over the Athletics.

The veteran utility man tied his career high in RBI with the performance, which was highlighted by a three-run homer off Sam Long in the seventh inning -- Vargas' fourth homer of the year. The 32-year-old switch hitter has emerged as the Nationals' starting third baseman in the wake of the Jeimer Candelario trade, and he's been surprisingly productive in the role. Vargas is batting just .250 (8-for-32) so far in August, but he has nine RBI and a .531 SLG thanks to three doubles and two homers.

Riley went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Friday's win over the Mets.

Riley's solo shot in the seventh inning was his 27th homer of the year. He's caught fire in the last few weeks, going 33-for-91 (.363) with 11 homers and 27 RBI over his last 22 games. The slugging third baseman boosted his season slash line to .281/.339/.512 across 505 plate appearances.

Garcia was lifted from Friday's game versus the Cardinals due to upper body discomfort, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Garcia didn't suffer an obvious injury but was replaced on defense by Matt Duffy prior to the top of the third inning. He singled twice and scored two runs out of the leadoff spot before exiting. Garcia will undergo additional testing Saturday to determine the severity of the injury.

Muncy isn't in the Dodgers' lineup Friday against the Rockies, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

With left-hander Austin Gomber set to start on the mound for Colorado, the lefty-hitting Muncy will take a seat for the beginning of Friday's game. Enrique Hernandez will start at third base instead and bat fifth.

Madrigal is out of the lineup Friday against the Blue Jays.

Madrigal was omitted from the starting lineup for the first time since Aug. 2. In the seven games since, the infielder is 5-for-23 with zero extra-base hits. With Seiya Suzuki getting less playing time recently, Madrigal has seen more time on the field, but with Suzuki coming off a great game and starting Friday against righty Jose Berrios, Madrigal may be in danger of seeing less playing time.

LeMahieu (calf) remains out of the lineup Friday at Miami.

LeMahieu was scratched from Wednesday's series finale versus the White Sox due to right calf tightness and will take another day off for rest and treatment. Imaging scans taken Thursday showed no structural damage, per Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record. Isiah Kiner-Falefa is covering third base and batting leadoff Friday versus the Marlins.

Senzel was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

He had been starting at third base roughly two-thirds of the time lately, but the Reds will select Henry Ramos' contract to take Senzel's place on the active roster. On the season, the 28-year-old has been worth -0.6 fWAR while slashing .219/.290/.368 with nine home runs and five steals in 80 games.