MLB Player News
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Spencer Torkelson 1B | DET
Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: Pops 22nd home run
Torkelson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 11-4 loss to the Blue Jays.
Torkelson was having a forgettable game until the bottom of the ninth inning, when he launched his 22nd home run of the season. It's his first long ball in seven games following the All-Star break, but the 25-year-old has been known to go on power surges throughout his career and could be primed for a hot stretch soon. Torkelson's career high of 31 home runs, which he recorded two years ago, could be within reach if he heats up down the stretch.
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Josh Naylor 1B | SEA
Mariners' Josh Naylor: Shipped to Seattle
The Diamondbacks traded Naylor to the Mariners on Thursday in exchange for Brandyn Garcia and Ashton Izzi, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
The Diamondbacks are expected to unload a number of assets before the trade deadline, and they'll officially kick things off by sending Naylor up to Seattle. Eugenio Suarez has been the primary target for many teams looking to add a bat for a postseason run, but Naylor has fared well in his own right, slashing .292/.360/.447 with 11 homers, 59 RBI, 49 runs scored and 11 stolen bases over 93 games in Arizona. Now with the Mariners, the 28-year-old slugger will presumably start every day at first base, taking playing time away from Luke Raley and Donovan Solano.
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Ryan O'Hearn 1B | SD
Orioles' Ryan O'Hearn: Taking seat Thursday
O'Hearn is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Guardians.
Coby Mayo gets the start at first base in place of the left-handed-hitting O'Hearn, who will head to the bench for the series finale while the Guardians send lefty Logan Allen to the hill. Fresh off his first All-Star Game appearance, O'Hearn has gone 4-for-19 with a home run, a walk, three RBI and two runs through his first six games of the second half.
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Carlos Santana 1B | CHC
Guardians' Carlos Santana: Resting up Thursday
Santana is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Orioles.
Santana will get a standard veteran rest day while the Guardians and Orioles close out their four-game series with a matinee contest. With Santana on the bench, Kyle Manzardo will cover first base, while Jose Ramirez gets a day out of the infield and serves as the Guardians' designated hitter.
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Romy Gonzalez 2B | BOS
Red Sox's Romy Gonzalez: Wallops first career grand slam
Gonzalez went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in Wednesday's 9-8 extra-innings win over Philadelphia.
It was the first career grand slam for Gonzalez, with those four RBI representing a season high. Despite Wednesday's eruption, the 28-year-old infielder should remain on the weak side of a platoon with the switch-hitting Abraham Toro at first base going forward. Gonzalez owns a 1.078 OPS over 82 at-bats versus left-handers as opposed to a .658 OPS across 76 at-bats against righties this year.
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Spencer Torkelson 1B | DET
Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: Provides offense Wednesday
Torkelson went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-1 loss to the Pirates.
Torkelson had one of just five Detroit hits on the afternoon and scored the team's lone run. While it's a modest stat line for the slugger, Torkelson did at least continue his solid start to the second half, as he's now 7-for-22 with three doubles and two runs scored across six games following the break. The 25-year-old remains a boom-or-bust fantasy option with tremendous power potential.
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Vinnie Pasquantino 1B | KC
Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino: Goes yard twice in win
Pasquantino went 3-for-4 with a walk, a double, two home runs, three runs scored and four RBI in Wednesday's 8-4 win over the Cubs.
The first baseman gave the Royals an early lead that the team would never relinquish with a two-run shot off Colin Rea in the first inning, and Pasquantino added a second two-run blast against the righty in the fifth. It's his second multi-homer game of the month for Vinny P, who's batting .279 (19-for-68) through 17 games in July with six doubles, five home runs, eight runs and 14 RBI.
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Ryan Mountcastle 1B | BAL
Orioles' Ryan Mountcastle: Beginning MiLB assignment Thursday
Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino said that Mountcastle (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A Norfolk, Brendan Mortensen of MASNSports.com reports.
Mouncastle won't be eligible for activation until July 30, so he'll likely stick around in Norfolk through the next week to compile at-bats before the Orioles add him back to the roster. Before going down in late May with a right hamstring strain, Mountcastle had gotten off to a poor start to the season at the plate, batting just .246/.280/.348 with two home runs in 200 plate appearances. An everyday role may not be waiting for Mountcastle once he's reinstated, though his outlook for playing time would improve if the non-contending Orioles move impending free agent Ramon Laureano prior to the July 31 trade deadline.
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Paul Goldschmidt 1B | NYY
Yankees' Paul Goldschmidt: Sitting in second straight game
Goldschmidt is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.
For the second day in a row, the right-handed-hitting Goldschmidt will give way to the left-handed-hitting Ben Rice at first base and head to the bench while the Blue Jays send another righty (Chris Bassitt) to the bump. Though the Yankees won't completely close the door on having Goldschmidt play versus righties, he may have to settle for more of a part-time role in those matchups since he's produced a weak .246/.290/.333 (75 wRC+) over 271 plate appearances against them so far this season.
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Logan Davidson 1B | LAA
Athletics' Logan Davidson: Removed from 40-man roster
The Athletics designated Davidson for assignment Wednesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for lefty Ben Bowden, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday. He was a first-round pick back in 2019 but hasn't developed as hoped, slashing .263/.412/.397 in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League this season as a 27-year-old. Davidson offers some positional versatility and is still young enough that he might draw some interest on waivers.