MLB Player News

The Pirates recalled Cheng from Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.

Cheng will head to the big leagues for the first time, joining the Pirates as a replacement for utility man Jared Triolo (back), who was placed on the injured list. The 23-year-old is capable of playing second base, third base and shortstop, but he's not included in the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals and may not be in store for regular playing time during his stint with the big club.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that Arenado was scratched from the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates due to an illness and soreness, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The illness isn't believed to be anything significant, but Arenado will need at least one day off to recover. With Arenado out of the lineup for the first time this season, Thomas Saggese will pick up a start at third base and will bat sixth.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that Herrera will miss at least four weeks after being diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left knee, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Testing on Herrera's knee came back negative for structural damage, but the bone bruise is going to cost the young catcher a month of action, at minimum. Pedro Pages will take on the primary catcher duties for the Cardinals while Herrera is out, and Yohel Pozo has been called up from Triple-A Memphis to serve as Pages' backup.

Shaw is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rangers.

Shaw will give way to Gage Workman at third base after starting in each of the Cubs' previous seven games. While he's shown a patient eye at the plate with a 17.6 percent walk rate over his 51 plate appearances, Shaw has yet to provide much value in traditional 5x5 category leagues. He enters Monday's contest with a .190 batting average to go with one home run, 10 runs, three RBI and zero stolen bases.

Workman will start at third base and will bat ninth in Monday's game against the Rangers.

With Matt Shaw getting a day off, Workman will enter the lineup for just the second time in 13 games this season. A Rule 5 selection, Workman would have to be offered back to the Tigers if the Cubs aren't willing to keep him on the big-league roster all season. The Cubs remain intrigued by his long-term upside, but Workman is unlikely to see many opportunities in the infield unless one or two of Shaw, Nico Hoerner or Dansby Swanson misses extended time.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Monday that Law (forearm) has yet to begin a throwing program, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Law dealt with an arm issue late last season and made just one appearance during spring training before landing on the injured list with right forearm inflammation. He remains in the strengthening phase of his rehab, and while Martinez admitted Monday to being "a little worried" Law still isn't throwing, he added that the reliever "is getting better, is getting stronger."

Hoerner is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rangers.

Hoerner will receive a breather after he started the past seven games while going 11-for-28 (.393 average) with six runs, five RBI and six stolen bases during that stretch. Jon Berti will spell Hoerner at second base and will bat eighth.

Kelly is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rangers.

Miguel Amaya will receive a turn behind the plate while Kelly rests after starting at catcher in the Cubs' previous two contests. The playing time at catcher has tilted in favor of Kelly so far this season while he's gotten off to a scorching start with four extra-base hits and seven walks through his first 26 plate appearances.

Turner is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rangers.

Turner will return to the bench after he picked up his third start of the season in Sunday's 8-7 loss to the Padres and went 0-for-4 with an RBI. All three of those starts have come against left-handed pitching, and Turner will likely remain limited to a short-side platoon role while the Cubs have all of their lineup regulars available.

Suwinski is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals.

Suwinski will take a seat for the third time in four games following a recent streak of five consecutive starts. Though the Pirates will continue to shield the left-handed-hitting Suwinski from matchups against southpaws, the 26-year-old should be in line for at least a part-time role versus righties while fellow outfielder Bryan Reynolds is limited to designated-hitter duties as he continues to manage right triceps soreness.