MLB Player News

Castro went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a triple in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Giants.

Castro has gone 4-for-12 with a homer and a pair of triples in four games since he was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis. He started the first two contests after his recall at second base, and he picked up a spot start at the hot corner Friday. For the season, the infielder is slashing .217/.286/.386 with a pair of homers, five RBI, eight runs scored, two stolen bases and three triples through 91 plate appearances. If the switch hitter can stay productive with the bat, he should carve out a fairly steady role despite not having a set position.

Urshela went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional run scored and a double in Friday's 4-0 win over the Angels.

Urshela fell a triple shy of the cycle Friday, striking out in the eighth inning to miss achieving the feat. It was still one of his better games of late -- his last three-hit effort was July 6. The third baseman has a .268/.309/.439 slash line with 11 homers, 46 RBI, 40 runs scored, 18 doubles and two triples through 94 contests this year. Urshela should still see most of the playing time at third base now that he's moved past an ankle injury, but the hot-hitting Jose Miranda could also see some looks there.

Arenado went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 3-1 win over the Brewers.

Arenado has homered in three straight games and already has six through 10 contests in August. He's hit safely in every game this month, going 16-for-38 (.421) during that impressive span. The 31-year-old is up to 25 long balls, 73 RBI, 58 runs scored, two stolen bases and a .303/.370/.570 slash line through 104 contests this year.

Duffy (back) will begin a rehab assignment next week, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Duffy has been out with lower-back spasms since late June. His late-July move to the 60-day injured list means he can't return until near the end of August, so his rehab assignment won't be a particularly brief one.

Hayes is day-to-day with back spasms, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

The issue explains why Hayes is on the bench Friday against the Giants. While the problem doesn't appear to be a major one, the Pirates have no incentive to rush him back in a long season, so it's possible Rodolfo Castro gets a handful of starts at third base.

Escobar left Friday's game against the Phillies with a side injury, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The specific nature and severity of Escobar's injury are not yet clear. He'd already seen a significant drop in playing time, as he slipped into a short-side platoon role behind Luis Guillorme at third base to begin August, so his short-term outlook won't change much if he's shut down for a few days.

Hayes is not in the starting nine for Friday's game against the Giants.

Hayes has been productive of late, hitting .324 with a homer and a pair of steals across his last nine games. Rodolfo Castro will take over at third base in his absence.

Davis will sit Friday against the Pirates, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Since arriving in a deadline-day deal with the Mets, Davis has started five of eight games for the Giants. That may have been due to the fact that San Francisco faced so many lefties during that time, however. He's started against all four southpaws the team has faced over that stretch, but his off day here against Bryse Wilson means he's been out of the lineup against three out of four righties. Wilmer Flores will take over at third base.

Longoria will not be in the lineup Friday against the Pirates, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

An off day here against Bryse Wilson means that Longoria has started against two lefties while sitting against two righties since his return from a hamstring injury. It's possible that's been due to the Giants' desire to avoid using him on back-to-back days initially upon his return, rather than a signal that he's slipping into the small side of a platoon. Whatever the reason, it will be LaMonte Wade who starts at designated hitter Friday.

Muncy (hand) is starting Friday's game against the Royals, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Muncy exited Wednesday's game against the Twins after a groundball hit him in the hand, but he'll be back in the lineup after the Dodgers' off day Thursday. He's serving as the designated hitter and batting seventh Friday.