MLB Player News

Madrigal is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against Atlanta.

Madrigal had started at second base or third base in seven of the past eight games, but his opportunities to pick up playing time in the infield are likely to be more limited moving forward after shortstop Dansby Swanson and second baseman Nico Hoerner both recently returned from injuries. The 27-year-old hasn't done much with the opportunities he's received with the Cubs this season, slashing .213/.276/.250 with no home runs and one stolen base across 87 plate appearances.

The Athletics designated Diaz for assignment Thursday.

At multiple points in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Diaz looked to bea mainstay in Oakland's lineup, but he failed to make the Opening Day roster coming out of spring training and struggled to get going at a hitter-friendly environment at Triple-A Las Vegas, slashing just .204/.288/.327 over 111 plate appearances. He's still just 23 years old, so Diaz could draw interest on waivers from a team that thinks it might be able to help him tap back into the promise he displayed earlier in his career.

Short is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs.

Austin Riley (side) remains out of the lineup for a 10th consecutive game, but after starting each of the previous nine games in Riley's stead, Short will give way to Luke Williams at third base Thursday. Atlanta is still seemingly viewing Riley as day-to-day, so Short's run of regular playing time at the hot corner could come to an end as soon as this weekend in Pittsburgh.

Riley (side) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs.

He'll remain on the bench for a 10th consecutive game while he continues to heal up from a left intercostal strain. Atlanta had initially viewed Riley as day-to-day when he departed an April 12 game against the Mets with the injury, but the club likely would have placed him on the 10-day injured list had they known the issue would have kept him out for more than a week. Riley was able to exhibit a sign of progress by taking swings on the field Tuesday, but it's not clear if he'll be on track to rejoin the starting nine during this weekend's three-game series in Pittsburgh.

Sano (knee) went 1-for-2 with a single and a strikeout in his first rehab game with the Arizona Complex League Angels on Wednesday.

Sano is recovering from left knee inflammation, an injury which has kept him on the shelf for the entirety of May. He will eventually move up to a higher affiliate as he works his way back to the Angels' active roster. Sano was getting regular playing time before getting hurt and that should continue when he returns, especially with all the injuries the Halos are dealing with.

McMahon went 2-for-6 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's win over Oakland.

McMahon went hitless in his first four at-bats before adding a single in the ninth and a two-run homer in the top of the 12th, which would end up being the game winner. It marked the third baseman's third consecutive game with a home run, and he's now up to five long balls in May to go along with 11 RBI and 12 runs scored. McMahon has also hit safely in 10 straight games.

Chapman went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and an additional run during Wednesday's 9-5 extra-inning win over the Pirates.

The 31-year-old tagged Jared Jones for a two-run home run in the sixth inning, Chapman's second straight game with a long ball. He's been red-hot in his last five games, going 11-for-18 (.611) with seven extra-base hits, 10 runs, five RBI and two stolen bases.

Garcia went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's 8-3 win over the Tigers.

The 24-year-old put together his fourth multi-hit performance in the last five contests as he extended his hitting streak to 10 games. Garcia is batting .364 (16-for-44) over that stretch, boosting his slash line on the season to .266/.311/.429 with five homers, 12 steals, 30 runs and 32 RBI.

Marte (suspension) recently reported to the Reds' facility in the Dominican Republic to continue participating in exhibition games before the start of the Dominican Summer League, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Marte is continuing to serve the 80-game suspension he was handed down in March for violating MLB's joint drug prevention and treatment program, but he's been able to stay in playing shape of late by appearing in extended spring training games in Arizona and now in the Dominican Republic. According to team president Nick Krall, the Reds plan to have Marte participate in games in the Dominican Republic for about a week to 10 days before he returns to the United States to begin an official rehab assignment in the minors. Marte, who hit .316 with three home runs and six stolen bases in 35 games for the Reds in 2023 following his late-season promotion to the big leagues, is eligible to make his 2024 debut for the big club June 27 in St. Louis.

Short will start at third base and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

Short will draw a ninth consecutive start at the hot corner while Austin Riley (side) remains day-to-day. The 28-year-old has delivered a solid .345 on-base percentage over his prior eight starts, but he's provided little fantasy value with a .208 average, zero home runs or stolen bases and two RBI and runs during that stretch. He'll fall back into a light role once Riley is cleared to return to the lineup.