MLB Player News

Abreu went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's loss to Tampa Bay.

After going 50 games without a homer to begin the season, Abreu now has nine in his last 50. His long ball in the fourth inning Friday tied the game against Rays ace Shane McClanahan. It's been a strange season for the veteran, but he's at least showing flashes of his old self. Abreu signed a three-year, $58.5 million contract with the Astros last November.

Kirilloff (shoulder) is back in the lineup Friday at Kansas City.

The 25-year-old will cover first base and bat third versus right-hander Brady Singer after missing Wednesday's game because of minor shoulder soreness. Kirilloff has posted a solid .818 OPS with eight homers and 32 RBI through 67 games this season.

The Royals placed Pratto on the 10-day injured list Friday with a left groin strain.

Pratto's production at the plate has been down recently -- he's slashed just .189/.286/.297 over the past two weeks. He will be sidelined until at least Aug. 6, and Samad Taylor will come up from Triple-A Omaha to fill Pratto's roster spot, but it's not yet clear who will take over for Kansas City at first base.

Vaughn isn't in the White Sox's lineup Friday against the Guardians, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Despite his four-game hitting streak, Vaughn will get a second consecutive day of rest Friday. Gavin Sheets will instead get the nod at first base and bat sixth.

Schaunul has been promoted to Double-A Rocket City, Taylor Blake Ward of The Sporting Tribune reports.

It's quite the rapid rise for Schaunul, who less than three weeks ago was taken by the Angels with the 11th overall pick in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft. Schaunul had played just five games between the Angels' Arizona Coast League affiliate and Low-A Inland Empire, going 7-for-14 with a double and a 1:5 K:BB. A debut in 2023 almost surely isn't happening, but Schanuel could be on track to reach the majors early in 2024, especially considering the team's struggles to find a reliable first-base option this season.

Diaz (groin) will return to the lineup Friday at designated hitter, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Diaz tweaked his left groin during Tuesday's game versus the Marlins and then sat out Wednesday. An MRI didn't reveal anything serious, though, and he's at least ready to hit Friday following Thursday's off day. Diaz is sporting a .391 OBP since June 1, but his early-season power binge has mostly evaporated as he's hit only two home runs since that date.

Naylor went 2-for-4 with two doubles, three RBI and a run scored in Thursday's win over the White Sox.

Naylor extended the Guardians' lead to 3-0 with a two-run double in the third inning before driving in a third run with another two-bagger in the seventh. The 26-year-old is batting .355 (43-for-121) over his last 30 games with seven home runs and a 1.019 OPS. His slash line on the year is up to .304/.345/.504 with 15 homers, 79 RBI, 41 runs scored and six steals across 369 plate appearances.

Vaughn isn't in the White Sox's lineup Thursday against Cleveland, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Vaughn is 2-for-8 with two RBI since returning from a foot injury that kept him out for five games. He'll catch a breather Thursday as Yasmani Grandal fills in at first base, allowing Seby Zavala to start behind the dish.

Arias went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's 8-3 win over Kansas City.

Making his first start since July 21, Arias tallied a pair of hits, snapping an 0-for-20 stretch that dated back to June 21, while logging his first stolen base of the year. The 23-year-old Arias is now slashing just .188/.295/.306 with four homers, 15 runs scored and six RBI across 166 plate appearances this season. While Arias hasn't provided much offensively, he should see an uptick in playing time following Amed Rosario's trade to the Dodgers.

Noda (jaw) has been cleared to begin hitting again while donning a batting helmet, the Associated Press reports.

Manager Mark Kotsay labeled the latest benchmark in Noda's recovery from a fractured jaw "a good sign" and added that the rookie is set for another evaluation with his oral surgeon next week. Noda's ability to begin taking batting practice again should help him preserve some timing, although he's likely to require a rehab assignment before his eventual activation.