MLB Player News

Walton will start at third base and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The Angels will include Walton in the lineup for the fourth time in five games since he was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday. Though Nolan Schanuel's (ankle) move to the injured list Wednesday will open up an everyday role in the infield, Walton -- who has gone 1-for-12 with a 1:4 BB:K since his call-up -- may need to improve his production to hold off Nick Madrigal for playing time at third base.

The Angels selected Madrigal's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Madrigal earned a promotion after slashing .275/.353/.366 with two home runs and an 18:8 BB:K over 38 games with Salt Lake. With Vaughn Grissom needed at first base to cover for the injured Nolan Schanuel (ankle), Madrigal will provide depth at second and third base.

Lopez signed a one-year contract with the Rangers on Wednesday.

Lopez elected free agency earlier this week after being waived by the Cubs and quickly reached an agreement with the Rockies on a minor-league deal, but he never finalized the contract with Colorado before the big-league opportunity with Texas became available. Though he'll enter the lineup right away for the Rangers as their starting second baseman and No. 9 hitter in Wednesday's game against the Astros, he's unlikely to see consistent at-bats with Texas. Instead, Lopez is expected to provide most of his value as a late-inning defensive replacement who's capable of covering three infield positions.

Muncy (wrist) played third base during the ninth inning of Tuesday's 15-6 rout of the Rockies.

Muncy was absent from the starting lineup for the fourth straight game after getting hit on the right wrist by a pitch Friday. However, he logged game action Tuesday for the first time since that HBP, entering in the ninth inning to play third base with the Dodgers up 15-1 and Miguel Rojas, who started at the hot corner, mopping up on the mound. Though Muncy didn't swing a bat, he did cleanly handle a grounder to third base and made the throw to first to record an out. The defensive appearance further buoys the belief that Muncy isn't going to need a stint on the IL, and he could in fact be back in the Dodgers' lineup as soon as Wednesday for the series finale.

Arenado (groin) is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Giants.

Arenado had to be lifted from Tuesday's contest with right groin tightness. With a team off day looming Thursday, he'll receive at least two days of rest. Jose Fernandez is covering third base for the Diamondbacks on Wednesday and is in line for a playing-time boost for as long as Arenado is absent from the lineup.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday that Barger (elbow) will resume throwing "probably [Thursday]," Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Barger's recovery from right elbow inflammation has come along more slowly than expected, but he's poised to take a big step forward Thursday. He's already missed more than two weeks and could require a rehab assignment before returning to the Blue Jays' active roster.

Rengifo will start at third base and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

Rengifo will stick in the starting nine for the third game in a row, after he reached base four times and stole a base during the first two contests of the series. The 29-year-old is still holding down a .531 OPS and a 52 wRC+ on the season, so despite his recent usage, he's far from locked in as an everyday player on the left side of the Milwaukee infield.

Sanoja is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Toronto.

Sanoja has been receiving the bulk of the reps at third base lately, but he'll begin Wednesday's festivities on the bench. Graham Pauley will handle the hot corner and bat ninth in the series finale.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after Tuesday's 15-6 win over the Rockies that Hernandez will be placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to a left oblique strain, Noah Camras of SI.com reports.

After undergoing surgery on his left elbow back in November, Hernandez had been on the IL throughout the season before being activated Monday. The utility player got off to a hot start by going 4-for-4 with a home run, two doubles, two RBI and an additional run through his first two games with the Dodgers, but he tweaked his oblique during batting practice Monday and seemingly aggravated the issue during Tuesday's contest. The Dodgers will recall Alex Freeland from Triple-A Oklahoma City to replace Hernandez on the active roster.

The Rockies signed Lopez to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

Lopez was outrighted off the Cubs' 40-man roster earlier this week. He elected free agency and has now landed a new deal with Colorado. He began the season at Triple-A Albuquerque in the Rockies organization before being traded to the Cubs in late April. The veteran infielder will provide an experienced, steady depth glove at Albuquerque.