MLB Player News

Sardinas is expected to be recalled prior to Friday's series opener at Toronto because Ketel Marte, who is dealing with an illness, did not make the trip, the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Marte missed the last three games. "He's lost some weight, too, and that's a concerning thing," manager Scott Servais said. "His tonsils are really swollen. He is on antibiotics, and I hope that kicks in. But he is not feeling good." Sardinas started the season with the Mariners but was demoted after batting .190 in 25 games. Shawn O'Malley could also see extra playing time with Marte out, but O'Malley is more versatile, so Sardinas likely will start at shortstop with O'Malley being saved as a defensive replacement.

Seager (flu) remains out of the lineup Thursday against the Nationals, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Seager will be held out of the starting lineup for the third straight game after starting to experience flu-like symptoms on Tuesday. It's a bit of a lengthy absence for a common illness, but the team will take it easy with the young shortstop and give him ample time to recover. Chris Taylor will get the starting nod in his stead Thursday afternoon.

Walters was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Bill Plunkett of the Orange Country Register reports.

Walters appeared in three games for the Dodgers (one start) since his recent call-up, but failed to reach base in each of those opportunities. Thursday's lineup proved to be a bit of an ominous sign, as Yasiel Puig will get the day off, but it will be Andrew Toles, not Walters, who gets the start in right field. Rather than carry an extraneous outfielder, the team will call up lefty pitcher Grant Dayton.

Turner went 1-for-4 against the Dodgers on Wednesday with a triple, an RBI and a run -- which he scored by stealing home.

He became just the third National in franchise history to steal home, reacting to the Dodgers catching Danny Espinosa between first and second by taking off from third and sliding in ahead of the tag. Turner's looked good in his first seven MLB games of the year, knocking out eight hits in 26 at-bats (.308) with a couple steals. He's also tripled in consecutive games.

Correa went 1-for-2 with three walks and three RBI Wednesday against Oakland.

The shortstop drew a bases-loaded walk in the second and added a two-run bloop single with the bases loaded in the eighth. Correa leads the team with 62 RBI, including 29 since June 20, which is most in MLB during that span.

Diaz is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Padres.

He went 2-for-4 and was caught stealing in Game 1 Wednesday. Diaz has two homers and seven RBI over his last 10 games. Greg Garcia will get the start at shortstop and lead off in the nightcap.

Mateo returned from his suspension with High-A Tampa on Wednesday and went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.

He was suspended by the team for two weeks earlier this month for an off-the-field issue, but made a big splash Tuesday, hitting his sixth home run of the season. Mateo's physical tools (strong hit tool, 80-grade speed) are tough to find at the shortstop position, so he remains a top-50 prospect for dynasty leagues. He started to slump at High-A after he was passed over for a promotion, but it would not be surprising to see his talent take over now that he is back and make people start to forget about the suspension.

Rojas will start at shortstop and hit eighth for the Marlins on Wednesday, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Rojas will be making a spot start in place of regular shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria. Over his past 10 games, Rojas is hitting .308 with just two strikeouts in 13 at-bats.

To make room for Matt Cain, Tejada has been designated for assignment by the Giants on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old has struggled this season, hitting .167/.247/.242 in 66 at-bats with both the Cardinals and the Giants. Tejada has now been designated for assignment for the second time this season and will wait to see if he is claimed by another team. If not, he can accept an assignment to Triple-A Sacramento.

Anderson is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Mariners.

Anderson, who recently shed his prospect status, has predictably hit a bit of a slide as the book is starting to get out on him. He hit .314 in June and .237 so far in July, and has just two walks in 33 games. Anderson is an excellent long-term asset in dynasty leagues, as he has five-category upside at shortstop, but it would not be surprising if he continues to struggle to get on base at a high clip over the rest of the season. Big league pitchers have made their adjustments, and now the onus is on Anderson to make his own adjustments. Tyler Saladino is starting at shortstop and hitting ninth Wednesday.