MLB Player News

Diaz went 3-for-4 with a walk, a solo home run, two doubles, an additional run scored and an additional RBI in Friday's 9-3 victory over the Dodgers.

Diaz returned to the top of the lineup Friday after missing a few days while tending to a personal matter, and he picked up right where he left off. Across 17 games in May, Diaz is slashing .355/.459/.710 with five home runs, 13 RBI and 14 runs scored, and on the season, he boasts an impressive .333/.435/.635 slash line, which would all be career highs. The 31-year-old is also just two homers away from tying his career high of 14, which he set in 2019.

Casas went 3-for-5 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 7-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

Casas had gone 10 games without a multi-hit effort entering Friday, and he was batting just .185 in that span. While it didn't erase his quiet start to the year, this was a positive effort from the first baseman. He's still hitting a meager .197 with a .700 OPS, six home runs, six doubles, 16 RBI and 21 runs scored through 44 contests. Until he can find some consistency, he's likely to be out of the lineup versus most left-handed pitchers.

Pratto isn't in the Royals' lineup Friday against the Nationals.

The Nationals will begin Friday with lefty Patrick Corbin on the mound, so the left-handed Pratto will retreat to the bench. In his place, Edward Olivares will start in left field and bat sixth.

Diaz (personal) is back in the lineup for Friday's contest against the Dodgers, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Diaz rejoined the Rays on Thursday after missing two games while tending to a personal matter, but this is his first start since Monday. He's batting leadoff and playing first base against Noah Syndergaard.

France (wrist) went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs and a third run scored in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Athletics.

France missed Wednesday's game with a bruised left wrist, but he doesn't look any worse for wear. His pair of solo shots erased a two-run deficit, and he added the go-ahead run after reaching in the eighth inning on a fielder's choice. The first baseman has hit five homers this year, including three over his last two games. For the season, he's slashing .266/.344/.415 with 23 RBI, 30 runs scored and a stolen base through 49 contests.

Torkelson went 2-for-3 with two walks, an RBI and a run scored in Thursday's win over the White Sox.

Torkelson and Riley Greene had identical stat lines from the third and fourth spots in the lineup. While Greene seems to be breaking out in his sophomore campaign, Torkelson hasn't seen the same level of success, as he's batting only .242 with a .681 OPS. Both figures are up from last year, however, and the 23-year-old has the talent to keep trending upward through the summer months. He also has multiple hits in three of his last six games.

Raley went 0-for-2 with two walks, two runs scored and two stolen bases Thursday against the Blue Jays.

Raley didn't have a big game at first glance, though his pair of stolen bases gives him six on the campaign. He entered the season having failed to even attempt a stolen base across 144 career plate appearances. Raley is also a significant source of power production with 10 home runs and is a regular in the Rays' lineup against right-handed pitchers.

France (wrist) is starting at first base Thursday against Oakland.

France took a pitch to the wrist Tuesday, which forced him to miss Wednesday's game. He will return to Seattle's lineup looking to build on his recent success, as he is 3-for-6 with a homer and three runs scored over his last two games.

Pasquantino went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a walk in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Tigers.

Pasquantino had gone 11 games without a multi-hit effort entering Wednesday, a span in which he hit an awful .095 (4-for-42) with two home runs and a 3:9 BB:K. In terms of breaking out of a slump, Wednesday was a solid first step for Pasquantino, who was one of the Royals' most consistent hitters early in the season. He's still slashing .262/.347/.481 with nine homers, 24 RBI, 22 runs scored and 14 doubles through 50 contests.

Diaz (personal) returned to the Rays on Thursday but is not in the starting lineup for their series finale against the Blue Jays, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Diaz was excused from the club Wednesday for a private family matter. The hot-hitting 31-year-old should be available off the bench Thursday and be back in a starting role this weekend against the Dodgers. Luke Raley is playing first base and batting seventh in Thursday's matinee.