MLB Player News

McLain (hamstring) is starting at DH and batting second against the Brewers on Saturday.

McLain was a late scratch Friday due to a hamstring injury, but he was able to log a plate appearance as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning. The 25-year-old shortstop is back in the lineup Saturday, suggesting that the hamstring issue isn't a major concern. The struggling Spencer Steer is getting the day off, allowing McLain to stay off his feet as the team's DH. Meanwhile, Santiago Espinal is starting at second base.

Steer isn't in the starting lineup for Saturday's matchup against Milwaukee.

Steer was originally out of the lineup for Friday's series opener, but he was inserted as the Reds' DH after Matt McLain was removed due to a hamstring issue. Steer went 0-for-3 with a walk in the contest to lower his season batting average to a meager .048, and he's getting an opportunity to reset Saturday. McLain is back after Friday's absence and is starting at DH against the Brewers in Steer's stead.

Pham (illness) isn't in the lineup for Pittsburgh's matchup against the Yankees on Saturday.

Pham was pulled from Friday's game against New York due to the illness after making just one plate appearance. He'll get at least one more day to recover Saturday. In Pham's stead, Jack Suwinski is starting in left field while Alexander Canario occupies right and Bryan Reynolds once again serves as the designated hitter.

Bart is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees.

Bart started behind the plate in three of Pittsburgh's previous four games, but he'll get a breather Saturday while Endy Rodriguez takes over at catcher. Bart has logged a .261/.370/.261 slash line through 27 plate appearances to begin the campaign, though he doesn't have any extra-base hits and has struck out at a 33.3 percent clip.

Smith isn't in the lineup for Saturday's matchup against the Nationals.

Smith will take a seat with lefty Mitchell Parker starting on the mound for Washington. That's been a trend for Smith this season, as he's yet to be in the lineup against an opposing southpaw starter. Randal Grichuk will start at DH in Smith's stead Saturday.

McCarthy is not in Arizona's lineup for Saturday's game against Washington.

McCarthy will take a seat against southpaw Mitchell Parker. Meanwhile, fellow left-handed-hitting Alek Thomas will start in center field and bat eighth Saturday. The pair has alternated center field duties over the Diamondbacks' past five games, suggesting that McCarthy and Thomas are slated to see about equal playing time moving forward.

Perdomo is hitting atop Arizona's batting order for Saturday's game against the Nationals.

Arizona used either Ketel Marte (hamstring) or Corbin Carroll to bat leadoff in each of the team's first eight games, but with Marte landing on the injured list Saturday morning, Perdomo will get a chance to hit atop the order. The 25-year-old shortstop has certainly looked the part of a leadoff hitter so far this season, slashing .379/.375/.552 with a home run, 11 RBI, five runs and two stolen bases through 33 plate appearances. Carroll will bat second Saturday after hitting leadoff in half of the team's initial eight contests.

Tawa is starting at second base and batting ninth in Saturday's game against Washington.

Tawa was called up from Triple-A Reno prior to Saturday's contest, and he'll get a chance to make an impression right away by starting at the keystone in what will be his MLB debut. Tawa's opportunity comes as a result of Ketel Marte (hamstring) landing on the injured list Saturday. In six games at Reno prior to his call-up, Tawa slashed .391/.462/.957 with three home runs, 13 RBI, eight runs and two stolen bases.

Sheets is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.

Sheets will head to the bench for a second consecutive game as the Padres prepare to face a left-handed starter (Matthew Boyd) for the second day in a row. Yuli Gurriel will work as the Padres' DH and bat sixth.

Heyward isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.

With southpaw Matthew Boyd set to toe the slab for Chicago, the left-handed bat of Heyward will begin Saturday's contest on the bench. Brandon Lockridge will fill the void in left field and bat eighth.