MLB Player News

The Tigers recalled Valencia from Triple-A Toledo on Thursday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Valencia has spent the entire season in Triple-A, slashing .267/.353/.486 with 16 homers, 49 RBI and 56 runs scored across 331 plate appearances. He'll now be called upon to provide the big club with depth behind the plate while Dillon Dingler manages a thumb injury. Valencia will be making his MLB debut whenever he gets into a game.

The White Sox are expected to activate Murakami (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list ahead of Friday's game against the Athletics, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

On the shelf since May 30 due to a Grade 2 right hamstring strain, Murakami appears poised to resume his outstanding rookie campaign this weekend after checking out well following two rehab games at Triple-A Charlotte. He's gone 2-for-7 with a double and a walk between the two contests and was able to play a full nine innings at first base Wednesday. Murakami's upcoming return from the IL is expected to most negatively affect fellow rookie Jacob Gonzalez, who had posted a .699 OPS in 29 games with the White Sox after stepping in for Murakami as the team's primary first baseman.

Contreras' suspension for his actions in the June 30 game against the Nationals has been reduced from seven games to five games, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Contreras will begin serving the suspension Thursday and will be reinstated before the second game of a doubleheader versus the Rays on July 17. The first baseman had already been slated to sit out Thursday's game with a left foot contusion, but the injury should no longer be an issue by the time Contreras is eligible for reinstatement. Brett Harris is starting at first base for the Red Sox on Thursday, and he could share the position with Romy Gonzalez while Contreras is unavailable.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Thursday that Pasquantino (hand) could return from the 10-day injured list ahead of Friday's series opener versus the Orioles, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Pasquantino has been shelved since June 14 after suffering a right hamate fracture, but he's made quick progress in his recovery from surgery and started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha earlier this week. He's gone 2-for-6 with one RBI and three walks in two games with Omaha, and Pasquantino looks as though he'll have a chance to rejoin Kansas City's lineup for the team's final series before the All-Star break.

Contreras (foot) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the White Sox.

Contreras fouled a ball off his left foot in Wednesday's contest and eventually exited with a contusion. He is considered day-to-day. Brett Harris is up from Triple-A Worcester and starting at first base for the Red Sox in the series finale.

Alonso went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 9-7 loss to the Cubs.

The slugging first baseman gave Baltimore a brief lead in the fourth inning when he took Colin Rea deep. It was Alonso's first homer in July and his 20th of the season, and while he hasn't yet put together the kind of power surge with his new team that Mets fans grew accustomed to seeing, he's posted a .275/.382/.533 slash line with nine long balls and 26 RBI in 33 games since the beginning of June.

Grissom went 4-for-5 with a double, four RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 13-1 win over the Rangers.

Grissom made a big impact, knocking a pair of RBI singles and a two-run double in the contest. This was his second multi-hit effort in his last three games. Grissom is currently on the short side of a platoon at first base, though he can also push Oswald Peraza at second base and Denzer Guzman at third base since all of them are right-handed hitters. On the year, Grissom is batting .249 with a .703 OPS, four home runs, 34 RBI, 21 runs scored, 11 doubles and no stolen bases over 196 plate appearances.

Torkelson went 1-for-3 with a walk and a three-run home run in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Athletics.

Torkelson continued his strong recent stretch of play with his 15th home run of the season. Over his last 10 games, the slugging first baseman is batting .278 with three long balls and 10 RBI. Torkelson's free-swinging approach leaves him susceptible to slumps, but his power gives him plenty of upside, and he should continue to see ample playing time for a Detroit team that's 20th in the majors in runs scored.

Aranda went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Yankees.

Aranda provided all of the game's offense, driving in runs in the third, fifth and seventh innings. It was a much-needed performance for the 28-year-old, who entered Wednesday just 5-for-28 without an extra-base hit or RBI through seven July contests. On the year, he's slashing .284/.384/.448 with 13 homers, 61 RBI and 45 runs scored across 388 plate appearances.

Contreras was removed from Wednesday's game against the White Sox with a left foot contusion, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Contreras fouled a ball off his foot during his at-bat in the top of the third inning, and although he managed to finish the plate appearance, he later took himself out of the game in the bottom of the frame. The initial diagnosis suggests he avoided a fracture, though the Red Sox could hold him out for a game or two so he can recover. Romy Gonzalez entered Wednesday's game as Contreras' replacement and would be the favorite to start at first base if an absence is needed.