MLB Player News

The Nationals signed Stubbs to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

Stubbs had been in the Astros system but was released after slashing just .121/.244/.212 over 21 contests between the Double- and Triple-A levels. The 27-year-old will give the Nats some catching depth.

Tovar went 2-for-5 with a solo homer, a double and two runs scored in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Padres.

Tovar doubled to lead off a five-run sixth for the Rockies and then homered to kick off the seventh. He continued his recent hot streak at the plate and now has at least a hit in eight straight games, slashing .343/.361/.686 with two homers, five RBI and five runs scored over that span. The 31.1 strikeout rate is a bit alarming, but Tovar continues to hit toward the top of the lineup and is still making solid contact with a .275 average over 180 plate appearances thus far.

Bryant (back) went 0-for-2 with a walk in his first rehab game with Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday.

Bryant played first base in what was his first game action since he went down with a lower-back strain a month ago. It's possible he will be ready to rejoin the Rockies for their weekend series in San Francisco. Bryant slashed only .149/.273/.255 over 13 games before getting injured.

Greene (2-2) got the win over the Diamondbacks on Tuesday, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five over seven innings.

Greene's only blunder of an inning came in the third after he allowed the first two guys on before they came around to score on a base knock from Blaze Alexander. He otherwise kept Arizona quiet and put together an excellent rebound outing after some mixed results against the Diamondbacks last week. Greene has walked at least a batter in every start this season, but his one free pass was significantly better than the nine he'd given up over his last two starts. The 24-year-old flamethrower now owns a 3.27 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 58:22 K:BB in 52.1 innings. He lines up to complete a two-start week against the Dodgers this weekend.

Hurtubise started in left field and went 0-for-2 in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

Hurtubise, who was called up from Triple-A Louisville on Monday, made his first MLB start, giving Spencer Steer a break. The 26-year-old Hurtubise was eventually pinch hit for against a left-handed reliever. He's just the second graduate of West Point to reach the major leagues.

Benson started in center field and batted leadoff, going 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 6-2 win over Arizona.

Benson delivered the go-ahead knock in the fifth inning, his first home run since April 27. With TJ Friedl (thumb) landing on the injured list, Benson is likely to shift over to center field against right-handers, while Stuart Fairchild rotates in against lefties. Benson's hit the ball hard, per Statcast, but he has little show for it (.193 batting average, .393 slugging).

Cecconi (1-3) was charged with Tuesday's loss to the Reds. He allowed six runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out three over 5.2 innings.

Cecconi has been dynamite the first time through orders, when opponents are hitting .029 with a .084 OPS, but things go sideways after that. The second time through, Cecconi is allowing a .355 average and 1.283 OPS. He told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com that Tuesday's outing brought the struggles into focus: "It's a mental thing," the right-hander said. Cecconi said when he starts to get hit, he focuses on locating the ball, which takes velocity off whichever type of pitch he's trying to execute. He vowed to use Tuesday as a lesson that he can take into his next start Monday against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Perdomo (knee) has started to take live at-bats, hit in the cages and field ground balls, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Perdomo, who's putting in five-to-seven hours per day while rehabbing at Salt River Fields, expressed optimism that he'll return by the end of the month. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo is not ready to put a timeline on the shortstop's return, but acknowledged Perdomo looks good executing the work he's currently doing. Next up, per the manager, is getting spikes on Perdomo's feet and having him run, cut, make turns and the agility to start and stop.

Alexander started at second base and went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Tuesday's 6-2 loss to the Reds.

Alexander filled in for a resting Ketel Marte and plated both Arizona runs with a two-out single in the third inning. Those were his first RBI in 13 contests. His playing time has been spotty, as the Diamondbacks are intent on Kevin Newman as the primary shortstop while Geraldo Perdomo (knee) works his way back.

Harris went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Tuesday's 7-0 win over the Cubs.

The 23-year-old center fielder snapped a 20-game homer drought by taking Jameson Taillon deep in the fourth inning, kicking off a six-run frame that blew the game wide open. Harris is just one of a number of Atlanta hitters who has had a sluggish start to the season -- Tuesday's long ball was his first extra-base hit of any kind since April 26 -- but he may be heating up, as he has five hits and two walks over the last four games, lifting his slash line on the year to .260/.305/.390.