MLB Player News

Donovan went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 9-8 extra-inning loss to the Marlins.

Donovan has gone 15-for-51 (.294) over his last 13 games, adding two homers and seven RBI in that span. The 27-year-old got a rare start at third base Tuesday with Nolan Arenado taking a day off, though Donovan has found consistent playing time between left field and second base for much of the year. He's at a .247/.319/.380 slash line with six homers, 32 RBI, 32 runs scored and one stolen base over 67 games.

Goldschmidt went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk in Tuesday's 9-8 extra-inning loss to the Marlins.

Goldschmidt opened the scoring in the first inning with his homer, though the Marlins quickly answered with a three-run blast from Jesus Sanchez in their half of the frame. Goldschmidt has gone 8-for-29 (.276) with two homers over his last seven contests, and he's been held hitless just twice in 17 games in June. Despite the recent consistency, he's slashing just .230/.303/.360 with nine homers, 29 RBI, 35 runs scored and three stolen bases over 70 contests this season.

Roycroft (1-1) allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits over two-thirds of an inning to take a blown save and the extra-inning loss versus the Marlins on Tuesday.

Due to recent workloads, the Cardinals were short in the bullpen Tuesday, leaving Roycroft to protect a one-run lead in the 10th inning. It didn't work out, as the right-hander saw his 6.2-inning scoreless streak come to an end. It's his first blown save, though he's still done a decent job at run prevention this year with a 3.38 ERA over 13.1 innings. He has a less-impressive 1.65 WHIP and 12:8 K:BB while mainly working in a low-leverage role.

Liberatore will start Wednesday's game in Miami in place of the injured Kyle Gibson (back), Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Gibson was a late scratch, forcing the Cardinals to turn to Liberatore, who threw 12 pitches and allowed one run over two-thirds of an inning in a relief appearance during Tuesday's loss to the Marlins. Liberatore has made three starts for St. Louis this season, but his last one came a month ago. He hasn't thrown more than 23 pitches in an appearance since then and will be going on zero days' rest Wednesday, so he'll presumably be in store for an abbreviated outing.

Gibson was scratched from Wednesday's start in Miami due to back tightness, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Matthew Liberatore will draw the start Wednesday on short notice, as Gibson's back must have tightened up on him while he was warming up before the game. Consider Gibson day-to-day until the Cardinals provide more details.

The Cubs placed Thompson on the paternity list prior to Wednesday's game against the Giants, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

After striking out the side in Tuesday's 5-2 win to net his first save of the season, Thompson will be away from the team for at least the next 1-to-3 games following the birth of his son earlier Wednesday. The Cubs called up right-hander Porter Hodge from Triple-A Iowa to take Thompson's spot in the bullpen.

The Cubs recalled Hodge from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

Hodge was optioned to Iowa less than two weeks ago, but he'll be eligible to rejoin the Cubs since right-hander Keegan Thompson (personal) was placed on the paternity list in a corresponding move. Over his six relief appearances with the Cubs earlier this season, Hodge gave up two earned runs on two hits and four walks while striking out seven.

The Pirates reinstated Williams (wrist) from the 10-day injured list Wednesday and optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Pittsburgh will keep Jared Triolo on hand as its lone reserve infielder while Williams reports to the Triple-A club now that he's made a full recovery from the right wrist sprain that initially sent him to the IL on June 2. Williams had already been in the midst of a rehab assignment with Indianapolis, going 3-for-11 at the plate over three games.

Alexander will start at third base and bat eighth in Wednesday's contest versus the Nationals.

Alexander will get his second start at the hot corner over the last three games. He's been seeing more reps at third base lately as a result of Eugenio Suarez's struggles. Suarez is also in Wednesday's lineup, occupying the designated hitter slot.

Winker went 2-for-3 with a double in Tuesday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

The Nats managed only four hits on the night in a shutout loss, with Winker's fourth-inning double being the team's only extra-base hit. The 30-year-old outfielder sat out Sunday's game after tweaking his knee on the basepaths Saturday, but he seemed no worse for wear Tuesday. On the season, Winker is slashing .270/.381/.398 with six homers, 31 RBI, 33 runs and a career-high 11 steals in 69 contests.