MLB Player News

Pratto went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and two walks in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Yankees.

It was a solid showing from Pratto, who was one of three Royals to get on base multiple times in the contest. The first baseman had gone 13 games without a homer and hit just .150 (6-for-40) in that span. He's struggled in July, causing his season slash line to fall to .245/.334/.390 with seven homers, 31 RBI, 31 runs scored, 15 doubles and a stolen base through 74 contests. While his walk rate is at a solid 10.1 percent, he's also striking out at an uninspiring 36.6 percent clip, which will likely continue to limit his ability to get on base.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said the hope is Vaughn (foot) can return to the lineup Tuesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Vaughn has been sidelined for much of this week due to a bruised left foot and is still experiencing some lingering discomfort, but he should avoid the injured list and be available for the team's next series against the crosstown Cubs. The 25-year-old first baseman is sitting on 12 homers and 54 RBI through 94 games this season with the White Sox.

Vaughn (foot) will be on the bench for the fourth straight game Saturday against the Twins.

X-rays were negative on Vaughn's left foot after he fouled a ball off himself Tuesday, but he remains too sore to play. Yasmani Grandal will be the first baseman Saturday, with Seby Zavala starting behind the plate.

France went 2-for-3 with an RBI double, a walk and a run in a win over the Blue Jays on Friday.

France came through with a clutch two-bagger in the eighth that plated Tom Murphy to knot the game at 2-2. France's performance Friday represented a much-needed respite from what had been an abysmal 1-for-30 slump that had encompassed a nine-game stretch dating back to July 8. France had struck out at an atypically high 29.4 percent clip during his skid, but he'd also been saddled with some abysmal luck in the form of an absurdly low .050 BABIP.

Kirilloff went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and four RBI in Friday's victory over the White Sox.

Kirilloff belted a two-run homer in the first inning followed by a two-run double in the seventh. He's hit four home runs with 13 RBI over his last six games, giving him eight long balls through 63 games. Kirilloff boosted his slash line to an impressive .284/.372/.468 with 20 extra-base knocks and 31 RBI.

Vaughn (foot) is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Twins.

Vaughn will miss a third straight game as he nurses a foot injury, though he'll likely be able to return to the lineup in the near future after X-rays turned up negative. Gavin Sheets will start at first base and bat seventh in the series opener with Minnesota.

Nola (jaw) is expected to be sidelined for around three weeks, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

That's the timeline Noda received from an oral surgeon after he was diagnosed Wednesday with a fractured mandible. He suffered the injury Tuesday while taking pregame fielding practice and has already been placed on the injured list. Seth Brown is starting at first base and batting cleanup for the Athletics on Thursday versus the Astros.

X-rays taken Thursday on Vaughn's left foot turned up negative for any structural damage, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Vaughn missed the final two games of Chicago's three-game set against the Mets after fouling a ball off his left foot Tuesday, but he only has a bruise and is considered day-to-day. The 25-year-old first baseman could be ready to return to action in Friday's series opener at Minnesota.

Mountcastle isn't starting Thursday against the Rays, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Mountcastle will catch a breather Thursday after going 5-for-14 with two RBI across his last six games. Ryan O'Hearn will serve as Baltimore's DH while Anthony Santander draws the start at first and Colton Cowser mans right field.

Vaughn is getting X-rays on his left foot Thursday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. "We're not anticipating anything wrong, but he was pretty sore," manager Pedro Grifol said.

He took a foul ball off his foot Tuesday and has been held out the last two days as he deals with what the team hopes is a bruise. Gavin Sheets and Zach Remillard could keep getting extra work while Vaughn remains sidelined.