MLB Player News

Torkelson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.

Torkelson had started at first base in both of the Tigers' last two games, once against a lefty (Daniel Lynch) and once against a righty (Jonathan Heasley). He went 0-for-5 between those contests, though he managed to reach base twice on hit-by-pitches and once via a walk. Torkelson remains a key foundational piece for the rebuilding Tigers, but he won't be assured an everyday role in September in light of his struggles at the big-league level this season along with his middling production at Triple-A Toledo prior to his promotion Thursday. Harold Castro will start at first base and bat cleanup Sunday and still looks to be the Tigers' preferred option, at least for now.

France went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in a win over the Guardians on Saturday.

France crushed his fourth homer in the last six games during the first inning, opening the scoring on the night with the 383-foot blast to left field. The 27-year-old infielder has now tied the career-high 18 home runs he launched during his breakout 2021 campaign, and he's just five RBI from eclipsing the 73 that accompanied the feat and also currently serve as a high-water mark for him. France's offensive profile has been stellar in all aspects during his six-game power tear, as he also has a double, five singles, two walks, six runs and a tiny 11.5 percent strikeout rate on his way to a .417 average and 1.420 OPS in the sample.

Dalbec was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.

News of Dalbec's demotion was reported Saturday night, and he's now officially been sent to the minors. The 27-year-old had a solid .792 OPS with 25 home runs and 78 RBI in his first full season of big-league action last year, but he was unable to replicate those results in 2022 with a .211/.282/.362 slash line. Top prospect Triston Casas was promoted in a corresponding move and should step in as Boston's primary first baseman. Dalbec will attempt to straighten things out with Worcester in hopes of rejoining the Red Sox in the closing stages of the campaign.

The Red Sox selected Casas' contract from Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.

Casas is considered Boston's top prospect and will now receive his first taste of big-league action. The 22-year-old has been limited by injury to 72 games with Triple-A Worcester this year, but he played well when available and posted a .273/.382/.481 slash line with 11 home runs and 38 RBI. Casas should take over as the Red Sox's primary first baseman for the stretch run and will start at the position and bat sixth in his MLB debut Sunday versus the Rangers, per Sean McAdam of BostonSportsJournal.com.

Lowe went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Red Sox.

Lowe snuck an opposite-field blast just over the wall in left to bring the Rangers within two runs. It was his seventh long ball in the last 15 games and leaves him with 23 homers and 67 RBI in 127 contests this season.

Pratto went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Saturday's 12-2 win over the Tigers.

Pratto launched a solo shot in the first inning to lead off the scoring. He would come around to score again in the fifth on a Kyle Isbel grand slam. It was Pratto's seventh homer since he was called up July 14. The rookie first baseman has seen his struggles this season including an eight-game hitless streak in August. Since then, he has gone 11-for-33 (.333), raising his season batting average from .163 to .206.

Abreu went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored Saturday against the Twins.

Abreu jump-started the White Sox offense in 13-0 win as he delivered an RBI knock while also coming around to score in the first inning. He now owns a seven-game hitting streak, during which he's collected 10 hits in 28 at-bats to go along with four RBI and five runs scored. For the season, Abreu has a .310/.385/.455 line across 569 plate appearances.

Mouncastle went 2-for-4 with a pair of two-run home runs in Saturday's 8-1 win over the Athletics.

Mountcastle accounted for most of the damage versus Oakland starter Adam Oller, taking the visiting starter deep in the first and third innings. Over his last four games, Mountcastle has gone 6-for-15 (.400) with three long balls and six RBI. His hot start to September has put some distance between him and his late-August slump. For the year, he's slashing .248/.296/.440 with 21 long balls, 72 RBI, 55 runs scored, four stolen bases and 24 doubles in 117 contests.

Dalbec will be optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

McWilliams confirms that top prospect Triston Casas will join the club and adds that it will be Dalbec who loses his roster spot. Dalbec was once a top prospect himself, but he has struggled to a .211/.282/.362 line this year. He will now attempt to reset himself at Triple-A before potentially rejoining the club late in the season.

Casas will be called up from Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Casas is arguably the top prospect in the organization. He missed a sizable portion of the year with an ankle injury, but he's been impressive when on the field for Worcester (.273/.382/.481 with 11 home runs in 72 games). Only 22 years old, Casas figures to take over as the primary first baseman down the stretch in what will be an audition for Opening Day 2023.