MLB Player News

Walls went 0-for-3 with a run scored and two steals in Thursday's 6-3 victory over the Blue Jays.

Walls logged two of the Rays' seven stolen bases Thursday, improving to 11-for-11 in steal attempts this season. While he's been effective on the base paths, Walls has struggled at the plate recently -- he's gone just 1-for-17 with eight strikeouts in his last seven games. Still, the 26-year-old infielder should continue to see steady playing time with Tampa Bay thanks to his defensive acumen and positional versatility. Through 137 plate appearances, Walls is slashing .246/.350/.500 with seven home runs, 19 RBI and 26 runs scored.

Madrigal was optioned Thursday to Triple-A Iowa, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

This is the corresponding roster move for Kyle Hendricks (shoulder), who is off the IL and making his 2023 debut Thursday night against the Mets. Madrigal wasn't seeing much playing time in recent weeks and heads to the minors having registered an ugly .247/.286/.301 batting line through 34 games (98 plate appearances) this season with the Cubs.

LeMahieu is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Orioles, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

LeMahieu is just 3-for-26 at the plate over his last seven contests, so he'll get a day off to regroup. The Yanks are going with Oswaldo Cabrera at the hot corner.

Padres manager Bob Melvin said he doesn't expect Machado (hand) to be ready for activation from the 10-day injured list when first eligible Friday, Byron Kerr of MLB.com reports.

Machado has been doing a range of baseball activities to test the small fracture in his left hand, but there are still some important boxes for him to check -- most notably live batting practice. The star third baseman could perhaps return at some point during the Padres' three-game weekend series against the Yankees, though it's hard to put a guarantee on the timetable. He suffered the injury to his glove hand when he was hit by a pitch May 15 versus the Royals.

Newman went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, a stolen base and three RBI in Wednesday's 10-3 win over the Cardinals.

While starting his second game in a row, Newman once again delivered a two-hit performance to lift his season-long average up to .257. He'll be back on the bench for Thursday's series finale with St. Louis, and despite his hot start to the week, Newman's playing-time outlook only projects to get worse as the season rolls along. The Reds have already summoned one of their top infield prospects in Matt McLain to the big leagues, and Elly De La Cruz and Christian Encarnacion-Strand may not be far away from receiving promotions from Triple-A Louisville.

Arenado is absent from the lineup Thursday against the Reds, 101 ESPN St. Louis reports.

It's a routine day off for the star third baseman, who has gone 0-for-10 since his 12-game hit streak was snapped earlier this week. Brendan Donovan will handle third base while Arenado gets some rest.

Manager Phil Nevin said Thursday that Rendon (groin) is not expected to need a rehab assignment before returning, MLB.com reports.

Rendon has not yet taken batting practice on the field yet, but he went through agility drills Wednesday and has also done some swinging indoors. He's eligible for activation Friday and while he's not expected back on that day, it sounds like it shouldn't be long after that.

Rivera started at third base and went 1-for-4 with a walk, three RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to Philadelphia.

Rivera produced a first-inning run with a groundout then singled home a pair in the Diamondbacks' four-run third inning. He and Evan Longoria, who served as the DH on Wednesday, have been sharing third base duty against lefties while Josh Rojas is the primary starter against righties. That means Rivera's playing time (and Longoria's) is spotty and infrequent.

Garcia went 2-for-3 with a double, a run and a stolen base Wednesday in a loss to the Tigers.

Garcia reached base three times in the contest, adding a hit-by-pitch to his pair of base knocks. The rookie finished with his second straight multi-hit contest and his sixth such performance through 19 games this season. Garcia has provided steady production since being called up in early May, slashing .279/.346/.368 with six doubles, nine RBI, six runs and four stolen bases over 78 plate appearances.

Suarez left Wednesday's contest against Oakland after getting hit by a foul ball, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

The Mariners failed to provide details on what exactly is bothering Suarez and how severe his injury is, but it was apparently enough for him to be pulled Wednesday. He should be considered day-to-day until more information is released.