MLB Player News

Arenado (hand) is starting at third base and batting cleanup Friday against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The 33-year-old had X-rays come back negative on his right hand after being hit by a pitch Thursday, and he's apparently fine given he's back in the lineup a day later. Arenado is 8-for-20 with two doubles and two RBI in his past five games, and he has a .273/.340/.386 slash line through 12 contests in June.

Riley went 0-for-5 with a strikeout in Thursday's win over the Orioles.

The third baseman's been dropped down to fifth in the order, even with lefty-hander Cole Irvin on the mound for Baltimore on Thursday, but it hasn't helped wake up Riley's bat. His last homer came May 3, and in 16 games since he returned from an intercostal strain he's slashing just .161/.212/.194 with two RBI and a 4:17 BB:K. Riley's track record says he will heat up at some point this summer, and his Statcast profile suggests there's a great deal of bad luck contributing to his numbers this season -- he's in the 91st percentile in max exit velocity, 90th percentile in bat speed and 82nd percentile in hard-hit rate.

Jung (wrist) took live batting practice Thursday, Kenndi Landry of MLB.com reports.

The third baseman saw pitches from Tyler Mahle (elbow) as they both continue their rehabs. The next step for Jung is a trip to Triple-A Round Rock to continue live BP before he officially begins a rehab assignment, and he remains on track to return before the end of the month.

Smith started at shortstop and went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Dodgers.

Smith made another start at shortstop, as the Rangers are being careful with Corey Seager (hamstring). Seager had returned to action Wednesday, serving as the DH, and was originally in Thursday's starting lineup at DH before being scratched. Smith continued to be a surprising contributor for the Rangers; he's gone 19-for-53 (.358) with six extra-base hits, two steals, four RBI and 10 runs scored over the last 15 games.

Suarez started at third base and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in Thursday's 11-1 win over the Angels. He was also hit by a pitch.

Suarez returned to the lineup after being replaced at the hot corner by Blaze Alexander the previous day. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Alexander will be given more opportunities at third with Suarez (.195/.267/.309) mired in a season-long slump.

Hernandez isn't in the Dodgers' lineup versus the Rangers on Thursday.

Hernandez is on the bench again with righty Michael Lorenzen on the mound for the Rangers. Recently acquired Cavan Biggio has the start at third and is batting eighth Thursday. Hernandez, who was serving as the primary third baseman in Max Muncy's absence due to an oblique strain, appears set to fill that role against lefties while Biggio starts versus righties. For the season, Hernandez has a .724 OPS against lefties and a .493 OPS against righties.

Rojas isn't in the Mariners' lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.

With left-hander Garrett Crochet set to start for the Sox, the lefty-hitting Rojas will retreat to the dugout Thursday. Dylan Moore will take over at third base while Ryan Bliss covers second.

Garcia went 1-for-4 with a double, two RBI, a run and walk in Thursday's 4-3 win versus the Yankees.

Garcia came up with two on and two out in the ninth and took a Clay Holmes sinker down the left-field line to win it for Kansas City. The 24-year-old third baseman entered the game in a bit of a slump during June with just one RBI and a .159 average in 40 at-bats. Garcia continues to provide a spark for the Royals this season with his solid counting stats, as he now has 18 extra-base hits and 38 RBI with 16 stolen bases through 68 games.

Sosa isn't in the White Sox's lineup Thursday against the Mariners.

Sosa went 2-for-12 across the first three games of Chicago's series against the Mariners, and he'll now sit down for the finale while Danny Mendick starts at third base and bats ninth.

Malloy went 2-for-3 with a home run, double and three RBI during Thursday's 7-2 win against the Nationals.

Malloy's second career homer came with two outs in the sixth and broke a 1-1 tie while his seventh-inning double drove in two and provided the Tigers with their winning margin. The 24-year-old rookie, who was also hit by a pitch in his first at-bat, entered the game with just three hits in his first 20 big-league at-bats but has now reached base 11 times in 29 plate appearances since he debuted June 3.