MLB Player News

Rice went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run in Friday's 7-2 win over the Orioles.

Rice broke the game open, giving the Yankees a 5-1 lead with a three-run blast in the second inning. He's posted four multi-hit efforts over his past eight games, with five going for extra bases in that span. It continued what has been an excellent start for the 27-year-old, who owns a .330/.441/.778 slash line with 11 homers, 26 RBI, 27 runs scored and a steal across 127 plate appearances.

Diaz was removed from Friday's game against the Giants with left side tightness, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Diaz went 1-for-2 with a solo home run before coming out of Friday's contest in the seventh inning. The Rays are considering him day-to-day, so he doesn't seem to be dealing with anything too serious, but he may still sit out a game or two as a precaution.

Pasquantino (back) is starting at first base and batting third against the Mariners on Friday.

Pasquantino was out of the lineup for each of the Royals' last two games due to lower-back tightness. He was cleared to pinch hit in Thursday's loss to the Athletics, and he has progressed enough in his recovery to return to the lineup for Friday's series opener. Pasquantino is slashing .165/.274/.320 with three home runs and 14 RBI across 124 plate appearances this season.

Aranda is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Giants, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It's just the second day off of the season for Aranda, who has four homers in his past eight games but is batting just .207 with a 33.3 percent strikeout rate during that span. Ryan Vilade is picking up a start at first base Friday for Tampa Bay.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Thursday that Pasquantino (back) is "better today" and will again be available off the bench against the Athletics, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Pasquantino is missing a second straight start due to low-back tightness, an injury that been nagging at him for a bit. However, he was on deck to pinch hit Wednesday and will be available in the same capacity Thursday. Pasquantino has a good chance of returning to the lineup Friday in Seattle.

Caglianone is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics.

With lefty Jeffrey Springs on the hill for the Athletics, Caglianone will take a seat. Starling Marte is starting in right field and batting sixth. Caglianone is slashing .217/.250/.435 with one homer, two RBI and a 0:10 BB:K across 24 plate appearances against left-handed pitching this season. He hasn't been much better against right-handers.

Pasquantino (back) remains out of the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics.

Pasquantino will miss a second straight start with low-back tightness. The Athletics are also throwing lefty Jeffrey Springs, so it gives the Royals an opportunity to get more righties into the lineup. Salvador Perez is starting at first base and batting cleanup, and Elias Diaz checks into the lineup at catcher in the ninth spot.

Pasquantino (back) isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics.

Pasquantino aggravated a back injury Tuesday that has been bothering him for a while, so the Royals will keep him on the bench Wednesday as a precaution. Salvador Perez will fill in for him at first base, moving Jac Caglianone into the DH spot and giving Lane Thomas a start in right field.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that Pasquantino is considered day-to-day after exiting Tuesday's game versus the Athletics with low-back tightness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Pasquantino revealed that his back has bothered him for "a while," as he's been receiving regular treatment and using a heating/massage back pad in the dugout. He was "just having a hard time getting it loose" Tuesday, forcing his removal in the sixth inning. The Royals will see how Pasquantino is feeling Wednesday before determining his availability for the second game of the series. If Pasquantino is unable to play, the Royals could use Salvador Perez or Nick Loftin at first base.

Schanuel is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Schanuel will exit the starting nine for just the fourth time all season and for the first time against a right-handed starter (Erick Fedde). Vaughn Grissom will get the nod at first base in place of Schanuel, who went 4-for-8 with a pair of doubles, two runs and an RBI over the first two contests of the series in Chicago.