MLB Player News

Diaz went 3-for-3 with a double, a walk and three RBI in Wednesday's 5-1 win over Colorado.

The infielder was productive in Wednesday's win, as all three of his hits drove in runs. He's posted multiple hits in three of his last four games, going 8-for-16 with three doubles and six RBI in that span. Diaz lifted his slash line to .298/.348/.485 with six home runs, 32 RBI, 22 runs scored and 14 doubles through 184 plate appearances. He should continue to log regular playing time at third base until Alex Bregman (quadriceps) is able to return, at which point Diaz will likely slip back into a utility role.

Bichette (shins) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels, and manager Charlie Montoyo said the shortstop "isn't feeling great," Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Bichette played in both games of Tuesday's doubleheader after sitting out Sunday with bruises in both shins, and he continues to nurse the injuries after the twin bill. It doesn't appear to be a serious concern, and the 23-year-old should be considered day-to-day. Marcus Semien will shift to shortstop Wednesday while Breyvic Valera starts at the keystone.

Baez (back) isn't starting the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Nationals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Baez wasn't in Tuesday's lineup due to tightness in his lower back, but he appeared as a pinch hitter and went 0-for-1 with a strikeout. He'll likely be available off the bench again in Wednesday's nightcap, but Jonathan Villar will start at shortstop and bat seventh.

Smith was promoted to Double-A Frisco on Wednesday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Smith was part of the trade in which Joey Gallo went from the Rangers to the Yankees in late July. The 24-year-old has appeared in nine games at High-A Hickory, and he slashed .295/.367/.432 with a home run, three doubles, 10 runs, seven RBI and two stolen bases.

McLain debuted for High-A Dayton on Wednesday, starting at shortstop while going 4-for-5 with a home run, a double and five RBI.

McLain, the No. 17 overall pick in July's first-year player draft, appeared in two games for the Reds' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate before Cincinnati assigned him to High-A. The fact that McLain is bypassing Low-A entirely isn't completely shocking, given that he was regarded as one of the more advanced hitters of his draft class following a three-year college career at UCLA. A move to second base or center field may be in the cards for McLain down the road, but his excellent hit tool, plus baserunning skills and burgeoning pop make him an intriguing player to monitor in dynasty leagues.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Cruz (forearm) has resumed taking full swings in the batting cage, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Pittsburgh anticipates that Cruz will take another step forward in his recovery from a forearm strain later in the week, when he's scheduled to face pitching in live batting practice. Because Cruz has been out since late June with the injury, he'll likely require a rehab assignment in the lower levels of the minors before Double-A Altoona reinstates him from the 7-day injured list.

Rojas will start at shortstop and bat leadoff Wednesday in San Diego, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

With Jazz Chisholm having moved back to the COVID-19 injured list earlier this week after a brief return to the active roster, Rojas has locked down the Marlins' leadoff job. Rojas could end up sticking as the Marlins' table setter once Chisholm returns, given how well he's performed of late. He'll carry a six-game hitting streak into Wednesday's series finale, with Rojas having gone 9-for-23 with a home run, two doubles, two stolen bases, a walk, five runs and three RBI over that stretch.

Lindor (oblique) took batting practice on the field and participated in fielding drills Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Lindor has been taking grounders since the end of July, but he resumed swinging late last week and took another step by hitting on the field Wednesday. The Mets view this week as important in the shortstop's recovery process, and the team remains hopeful that he'll return from the injured list prior to the end of the month.

Barrero has hit .299/.385/.555 with nine homers, seven steals, 30 RBI and 23 runs across 36 games since being promoted to Triple-A Louisville.

The 23-year-old hasn't picked up a ton of hype, but he's certainly been earning it by mashing first at Double-A and now at Triple-A, where he's actually flashed an even better power stroke. Barrero made the unusual jump from High-A to the majors last year and struggled about as much as you'd expect from someone in that situation, but it looks like he'll be much better prepared the next time he gets the call to Cincy. There's still some swing-and-miss in his game, but his power-speed combo is enticing enough to be worth the risk.

Anderson isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Twins.

Anderson has gone 7-for-14 with two homers, a double, four runs and three RBI across his last three games, and he'll get a breather in Wednesday's series finale. Leury Garcia will start at shortstop and bat eighth.