MLB Player News

Merrill went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI, a stolen base and two runs scored in Tuesday's 10-5 win over the Giants.

He's gone 8-for-17 (.471) over four contests in May, adding a home run, three RBI and two steals. Merrill was atop the lineup for just the second time all season, as Ramon Laureano was given the day off Tuesday. Merrill's recent hitting should help him turn his season around. Even with the hot stretch, he's at a .235 average and .673 OPS for the year. The outfielder has added four homers, seven steals, 18 RBI, 22 runs scored and seven doubles over 34 contests.

Bogaerts went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a second RBI and a walk in Tuesday's 10-5 win over the Giants.

Bogaerts has a pair of multi-hit efforts in May, but he's gone hitless in his other three games this month. The shortstop got the Padres on the board with his second-inning solo shot, which was his first extra-base hit since he homered April 28 versus the Cubs. He's batting a steady .270 with a .781 OPS, six long balls, 20 RBI, 16 runs scored and four stolen bases across 34 contests this season.

Hernandez (elbow) will kick of a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Hernandez is set for his first game action since undergoing surgery on his left elbow last November. The super-utility man is currently on the 60-day IL and isn't eligible to be activated until May 24, and there seems to be a good chance that he'll be ready to join the big-league Dodgers at that time. In his initial rehab appearance Tuesday, Hernandez is playing third base and batting second for OKC.

Fernandez isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Pirates, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Fernandez will get a breather after going 1-for-9 with a walk and a run scored during Arizona's latest series against the Cubs. His absence will allow Adrian Del Castillo to work as the designated hitter while batting fourth.

The Cardinals recalled Saggese from Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday.

Saggese was just optioned Monday, but he's back a day later to absorb the roster spot vacated by Ramon Urias (elbow). The 24-year-old Saggese could see some starts at third base against lefties while Urias is out.

Pratt didn't play Sunday in Triple-A Nashville's 5-1 win over Norfolk due to a sore foot, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

According to McCalvy, the foot issue is considered a minor concern and isn't expected to keep Pratt for long, so the 21-year-old infielder could avoid a stint on Nashville's 7-day injured list. Pratt signed an eight-year, $50.75 million contract extension with Milwaukee just over a month ago, but he's still waiting to make his MLB debut. He'll likely need to improve his production at Triple-A before getting the call to the majors; Pratt is slashing .226/.348/.323 (87 wRC+) with one home run and nine stolen bases over 113 plate appearances with Nashville thus far.

Schmitt went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Monday's 3-2 win over the Padres.

The 27-year-old infielder drew the start at third base and hit a solo shot in the first inning to tie the game at one run apiece. It marked the Giants' first home run since their April 26 win over the Marlins, when Schmitt hit a three-run homer. He has been on a tear of late, recording at least one hit in nine of the last 10 games while batting .361 with eight RBI, six runs scored, three long balls and a stolen base in 40 plate appearances during that span. Overall, he's slashing .308/.359/.542 with 16 RBI, 13 runs scored, five homers and two stolen bases across 117 plate appearances this season.

Pena met with a neurologist Monday after not having played since collapsing in the dugout April 22 during his last game for High-A Wisconsin, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Pena was transported to a hospital after the incident and showed improvement after receiving IV fluids. All of Pena's subsequent tests have returned normal, but the Brewers will take feedback from the neurologist into account before deciding the young infielder's next steps. Even though he's been out of action for nearly two weeks, Wisconsin has yet to place Pena on its 7-day injured list.

Mateo went 1-for-3 with a stolen base in Monday's loss to the Mariners.

Making his fifth straight start at shortstop while Mauricio Dubon is needed in the outfield, Mateo swiped a bag for the second straight game, giving him four on the season in five attempts. The veteran utility player figures to see consistent playing time at least as long as Ronald Acuna (hamstring) and Michael Harris (quadriceps) are both sidelined, and Mateo's taken advantage of his opportunities so far this season, slashing .289/.319/.467 through 47 plate appearances with two doubles, two homers, five RBI and 12 runs in addition to his activity on the basepaths.

Freeland went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional run scored and a walk in Monday's 8-3 win over Houston.

Freeland took advantage of Houston's short porch in left field, swatting an opposite-field solo homer in the second inning. It marked his second long ball and second three-hit effort of the campaign. The 24-year-old has seen increased opportunities due to Mookie Betts (oblique) and Tommy Edman (ankle) being sidelined, producing at a .256/.316/.372 clip with two homers, four doubles, seven RBI and 10 runs across 29 appearances.