The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned outfielder Alek Thomas to Triple-A Reno following Tuesday night's game against the Colorado Rockies and recalled rookie infielder Blaze Alexander from Reno in a corresponding move on Wednesday. Thomas has missed a big chunk of this season due to injury and wasn't swinging the bat well enough upon his return to warrant a roster spot at the big-league level, despite his excellent glove work. The 24-year-old left-handed hitter has batted just .191 (18-for-94) this year with three home runs, 17 RBI and four stolen bases in 37 games played in his third year in Arizona. Thomas' demotion is good news for Jake McCarthy, who has become a lineup regular for the Snakes in a breakout year. Alexander, meanwhile could see some starts at second base, including on Wednesday, with Ketel Marte nursing a low-grade ankle sprain.

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (ankle) remains out of action for Wednesday's series finale against the visiting Colorado Rockies at Chase Field. Rookie Blaze Alexander, who was recalled from Triple-A Reno, will make the start at second base and will bat eighth against Rockies right-hander Tanner Gordon. Marte initially injured his ankle on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies, didn't play on Sunday, and then aggravated his ankle in Monday's series opener against the Rockies. He will miss his second straight game on Wednesday with a low-grade ankle sprain, but the good news is the 30-year-old All-Star isn't expected to need a stint on the injured list. Until Marte is able to get back into the lineup, Alexander and Kyle Newman could split duties at the keystone. Marte has been a must-start in all fantasy lineups during an excellent 2024 campaign.

San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim and catcher Kyle Higashioka will both head to the bench on Wednesday as the team looks for a three-game sweep of the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates at Petco Field. Tyler Wade will start at the 6 and bat ninth, while Luis Campusano will do the catching and hit eighth against Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller. Kim hasn't been nearly as effective as he was in his breakout 2023 season while batting leadoff for the Friars. The 28-year-old South Korean is hitting near the bottom of the lineup this year, but he remains useful in fantasy for his speed (22 stolen bases). After a strong start to the year, Campusano has struggled offensively, allowing Kyle Higashioka to become SD's favored backstop. Higashioka is hitting only .224 (38-for-170), but he already has a career-high 14 homers in his first year in San Diego.

Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon is out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the hosting Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Aaron Schunk will make the start at the hot corner and will bat ninth against Diamondbacks left-hander Jordan Montgomery. McMahon will get a day of rest with Arizona throwing a southpaw after going hitless in eight at-bats with four strikeouts in the first two games of the series in the desert. The 29-year-old left-handed slugger was named to his first All-Star squad this year, but he's struggled since the Midsummer Classic and has gone 4-for-38 (.105) with two doubles, three RBI, a stolen base and 18 strikeouts in 11 games. The rookie Schunk has gone 7-for-41 (.171) in his first 20 big-league games and is still searching for his first home run.

Chicago Cubs left-hander Jordan Wicks (oblique) had a tough go of it in his first minor-league rehab start last Saturday for Triple-A Iowa, giving up six earned runs on four hits (three homers) while walking two and striking out two in just 1 2/3 innings of work. Wicks was hit around the yard in his first game since going on the injured list in the middle of June with a Grade 2 right-oblique strain. The good news is that Wicks was able to throw 43 pitches and didn't have any physical setbacks with his oblique muscle. Obviously, the Cubs will require Wicks make at least a few more rehab starts before he's an option to rejoin the big-league pitching staff down the stretch. However, even when he's ready to come off the 60-day injured list, Wicks won't be guaranteed a spot in Chicago's starting rotation, so fantasy managers in most leagues can continue to ignore him.