MLB Player News

Casas went 3-for-5 with a run and two RBI in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Blue Jays.

Casas came into the contest mired in a prolonged slump during which he batted .098 (5-for-51) over 17 games. The first baseman showed some signs of progress against Toronto, producing his first three-hit game of the campaign and his first multi-hit effort since April 9. Casas has been losing playing time of late and is still slashing just .157/.297/.301 on the season, so he has some work to do to become a viable fantasy option.

Pratto will start at first base and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

He'll pick up his fifth consecutive start Wednesday, and with the Royals optioning Franmil Reyes to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday, the team should have everyday spots available at first base and designated hitter for both Pratto and Vinnie Pasquantino for the foreseeable future. Of course, how long Pratto retains steady playing time will likely hinge on how he performs at the plate. Thus far, the 24-year-old has gone 7-for-21 with a 2:12 BB:K over his first six games with Kansas City this season.

Mountcastle went 3-for-6 with two home runs, a double, five RBI and three runs scored in Tuesday's 11-7 win over the Royals.

Mountcastle kicked off the scoring for the Orioles with a two-run blast to left in the fourth. The 26-year-old now ranks fourth in the majors with 26 RBI and is tied for fourth with eight homers in 29 games thus far. Tuesday's performance raised his slash line to .256/.275/.504 as he's become a valuable fantasy first baseman in his third full-time season.

France (illness) went 0-for-3 with a walk in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Athletics.

France missed two games while under the weather, and he couldn't do much in a contest that saw the Mariners' bats silenced until the eighth inning. The first baseman is now slashing .238/.336/.352 with a home run, 15 RBI, 17 runs scored, nine doubles and a stolen base through 122 plate appearances. He should be good to handle a near-everyday role going forward.

France (illness) is hitting third and playing first base against Oakland on Tuesday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

France was out of the starting lineup the last two games for Seattle while battling a stomach bug, but he was able to play in both contests as a pinch hitter, and he's well enough to hit third against Mason Miller and the Athletics on Tuesday.

Diaz (shoulder) is back in the Rays' lineup for Tuesday's game against the Pirates, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Diaz missed two games with a sore left shoulder but is back in there Tuesday following Monday's off day. He's at first base and batting leadoff against Roansy Contreras.

Casas is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Blue Jays, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Casas has now been on the bench for three of the last four games as his season-long slump continues. The Red Sox are going with Justin Turner at first base, Masataka Yoshida at designated hitter and Rob Refsnyder in left field.

Abreu went 1-for-4 with two RBI on Monday against the Giants.

Abreu had been moved out of the cleanup spot for a span of five games, but he has now hit fourth in each of the Astros' last two matchups. He took advantage of that opportunity Monday, as he delivered an RBI single in the first inning to give Houston the lead. Even given the positive performance, Abreu has failed to record a multi-hit game in any of his last 10 starts and has hit just .175 with four RBI, two runs scored and one extra-base hit in that span.

Casas is back in the lineup Monday against the Blue Jays after being given consecutive days off, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Manager Alex Cora wanted to give the struggling Casas a couple days off in a row to clear his head, but the rookie is back in action Monday against Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios. Casas has posted a .576 OPS in 25 games this season.

Vaughn went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer and a walk in Sunday's 12-9 win over the Rays.

The Rays led 9-5 heading into the bottom of the ninth, but the White Sox managed to put together a seven-run inning, capped off by Vaughn's three-run blast to put an end to the team's nine-game losing streak. It was his second homer over the last three days, and he's now tallied at least a hit in six of his last seven games. Vaughn now sits at a slash line of .255/.358/.434 with three homers, 20 RBI, 12 runs and a 13:24 BB:K over 123 plate appearances.