MLB Player News

McLain went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Cardinals.

McLain's seventh-inning home run brought the Reds within a run, but they couldn't complete the comeback. The homer was his 12th of the season, but his first since July 18 and just his fifth extra-base hit in the second half. August hasn't been kind to McLain, who has a .219/.254/.281 slash line over 21 games this month.

The Padres optioned Jacob to Triple-A El Paso on Sunday.

Jacob's latest stint in the majors lasted only five days but the right-hander was busy, making three appearances and allowing just one hit and one walk over 4.2 scoreless innings. He'll cede his spot in the bullpen to Kyle Hart, who was recalled from El Paso.

The Padres recalled Hart from Triple-A El Paso on Sunday.

Right-hander David Morgan is scheduled to serve as the opening pitcher for Sunday's game in Minnesota, but Hart could be tasked with covering multiple innings behind him. Hart previously made six starts for the Padres and nine for El Paso this season, but he's worked largely in relief since the All-Star break. The southpaw hasn't covered more than three innings in any appearance in August, so the Padres could end up treating this as more of a bullpen game rather than leaning on Hart as a bulk reliever.

Burns (elbow) threw a bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.

The session simulated Burns working multiple innings. The tentative next step for the right-hander is to face hitters in a batting practice session Tuesday. The Reds still believe Burns can pitch again before the end of the regular season, but there's no firm target date for his return.

Iglesias will start at shortstop and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Twins.

With Xander Bogaerts landing on the injured list Friday due to a non-displaced left foot fracture, Iglesias has gained some traction in the San Diego infield. The 35-year-old will pick up his fourth consecutive start Sunday after going 3-for-12 with an RBI and a run scored over the previous three contests.

Alexander started at third base and went 2-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and two runs scored in Saturday's 6-1 win over the Dodgers.

Alexander is swinging a hot bat right now, going 6-for-14 with two doubles, two home runs, four RBI and six runs scored over a four-game hit streak. A day after manager Torey Lovullo discussed Alexander's role -- shifting from primary third baseman to a utility role -- he was back at the hot corner against a right-hander. Lovullo talked to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports on Friday about having Jordan Lawlar playing the left side of the infield but added that would be against lefties and certain righties. As both Alexander and Lawlar are right-handed batters, this won't be a traditional platoon situation.

Marte started at designated hitter and went 1-for-3 in Saturday's 6-1 win over the Dodgers.

Marte served as the DH for a second consecutive game, which could become a normal deployment over the final month of the season, per Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. Manager Torey Lovullo indicated that Jordan Lawlar would stick at third base down the stretch while Blaze Alexander shifted into a super-utility player. That opens up the possibility of using Alexander at second base and reducing the wear and tear on Marte while maintaining his bat in the lineup as the DH. Additionally, utility infielder Ildemaro Vargas, who started at second base and homered Saturday, is also around to give Marte a break.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that Smith (quadriceps) is "trending toward" missing the remainder of the season, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Smith landed on the 10-day injured list Friday with a quad strain suffered Wednesday. His absence opens up playing time at first base and designated hitter. Tyler Locklear has started at first base in the two games since Smith sustained the injury, while Ketel Marte has operated as the DH.

Santana agreed to a one-year deal with the Cubs on Sunday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Santana won't join the Cubs ahead of Sunday's game in Colorado, but he's expected to be activated prior to Monday's home game versus Atlanta. The 39-year-old switch hitter was cut loose by the Guardians on Thursday after he had produced a career-worst .649 OPS with 11 home runs and seven stolen bases across 455 plate appearances. The Cubs won't have regular playing time available for Santana, but he could prove to be an upgrade over Justin Turner (.598 OPS in 166 plate appearances) as the short-side platoon mate at first base for the left-handed-hitting Michael Busch.

Crooks is starting behind the plate and batting eighth Sunday against the Reds.

The 24-year-old will make the first start of his MLB career after being called up by the Cardinals on Friday. It technically won't be his MLB debut, however, since he entered as a defensive replacement without receiving an at-bat in Friday's contest. Crooks is one of St. Louis' top prospects and posted a .272/.336/.437 slash line with 14 homers in 99 games for Triple-A Memphis this year.