MLB Player News

France is 0-for-13 with a walk, a run and six strikeouts in the four games he's played following the All-Star break.

The elevated number of punchouts -- albeit over a very small sample -- is particularly out of the norm for France, who had just a 17.6 percent strikeout rate over the first half of the season. The veteran's hitless streak actually dates back to the penultimate game before the All-Star break, and his anemic 8.3 percent line-drive and hard-contact rates during that sample certainly appear to be playing a part in his struggles.

Naylor went 2-for-5 with a home run, a double, three RBI and two runs scored in Monday's victory over the Pirates.

Naylor doubled home a run in the sixth inning before ripping a two-run shot in the seventh. His hot streak has turned into a terrific 2023 campaign; he's slashing .305/.350/.506 with 35 extra-base hits and 69 RBI through 337 plate appearances. Naylor is hitting .393 (24-for-61) with 12 extra-base hits over his last 15 games.

Diaz (personal) was reinstated from the paternity list Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Diaz will be back with the Rays as they head to Texas for a three-game series with the Rangers. The 31-year-old will look to pick up where he left off prior to the All-Star break, going 9-for-16 with a homer, a double, four RBI and two runs scored over his last four games. Jonathan Aranda was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Monday to open a roster spot for the returning Diaz.

Aranda was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Aranda will return to Durham after getting called up Thursday, going 2-for-7 with a run scored while appearing in two games of the Rays' series with Kansas City. With Yandy Diaz returning from the paternity list Monday, Tampa Bay no longer needed Aranda on the big-league roster.

Lowe went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Sunday's 6-5 win over Cleveland.

Lowe delivered the first of three RBI singles in the eighth inning that turned a 5-2 deficit into the winning 6-5 margin. Surprisingly, the potent Rangers lineup, which leads the league in run differential, were 0-and-27 when trailing after seven innings until Sunday's comeback. Earlier in the contest, he drove in Corey Seager for the Rangers' second run. Lowe's power indicators -- home runs and slugging -- are down from his breakout 2022 season, but the first baseman remains a middle-of-the-order bat in a powerful offense.

Casas hit a two-run home run in his lone at-bat during Sunday's 11-5 win over the Cubs.

Casas has gone 4-for-9 while homering in three straight games since the All-Star break. That matches his homer total from all of June. The first baseman is slashing .233/.333/.434 with 12 long balls, 32 RBI, 37 runs scored and 14 doubles over 300 plate appearances. Casas should continue to see the bulk of the playing time against right-handed pitchers while platooning with Justin Turner, who is often in the lineup at designated hitter versus righties.

Kirilloff went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and four RBI in Sunday's win over the Athletics.

Kirilloff knocked a solo homer in the fifth inning followed by a bases-clearing, go-ahead double in the seventh. It was his first homer since June 16; in 21 games since his last home run, Kirilloff posted a .604 OPS. The 25-year-old has gone deep five times with a .272/.370/.411 slash line through 209 plate appearances this season.

Noda isn't in Oakland's lineup Sunday versus the Twins.

Despite Noda's .790 OPS against right-handers this season, he'll sit out Sunday's contest against Bryce Miller and the Mariners. Tyler Soderstrom will fill in as Oakland's first baseman while Jordan Diaz serves as the DH and bats sixth.

Bell isn't in the Guardians' lineup Sunday against the Rangers, Andre Knott of Bally Sports Ohio reports.

After starting the second half 2-for-7 with a walk, Bell will get a day off for Sunday's series finale. Jose Ramirez will fill in as Cleveland's designated hitter, allowing Gabriel Arias to pick up a start at the hot corner and bat eighth.

Casas isn't in the Red Sox's lineup Sunday against the Cubs, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

After starting the second half 3-for-8 with two homers and three RBI, Casas will catch a breather against southpaw Justin Steele. Justin Turner will start at first base in Casas' absence, allowing Jorge Alfaro to serve as Boston's designated hitter and bat sixth.