MLB Player News

Santana went 2-for-4 with an RBI single, a double and a run in a win over the Blue Jays on Thursday.

The veteran handled cleanup duties and came through with one of three multi-hit efforts for the Mariners on the night. Santana has been quite the find offensively for Seattle thus far, producing a trio of two-hit tallies in the last five games and generating a solid .276 average and stellar .400 on-base percentage over the 35 plate appearances he's logged across his first nine contests with the team.

France (elbow), activated from the injured list earlier in the day, went 1-for-4 in a win over the Blue Jays on Thursday.

One of the Mariners' most valued offensive assets was encouragingly back in the lineup after overcoming a Grade 2 flexor strain and wasted no time getting his first hit. France had hit safely in five of the seven games prior to his sabbatical as well, so perhaps the layoff didn't serve to cool off his bat too much.

Vaughn isn't starting Thursday against the Tigers due to an illness, Scot Gregor of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

Vaughn started in the last six games, but manager Tony La Russa revealed prior to the game that the 24-year-old is out of the lineup since he's feeling under the weather. Vaughn should be considered day-to-day as long as he doesn't test positive for COVID-19.

France (elbow) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

France sustained a Grade 2 flexor strain in his left elbow in late June but will rejoin the Mariners after spending just over the minimum of 10 days on the IL. The 27-year-old has posted strong results early in the year, slashing .316/.390/.476 with 10 homers, 45 RBI and 32 runs. He should reclaim an everyday role while Abraham Toro and Justin Upton see a decrease in playing time.

Torkelson isn't in the lineup Thursday against the White Sox, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Torkelson started in the last three matchups and went 2-for-11 with two runs, an RBI, a walk and five strikeouts. Kody Clemens is taking over at first base and batting eighth Thursday.

Vaughn isn't starting Thursday against Detroit, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Vaughn is getting a day off after he hit .222 with a homer, a double, five RBI and four runs over the last six games. Gavin Sheets is serving as the designated hitter, while AJ Pollock starts in right field.

Rizzo (back) isn't starting Thursday's game against the Red Sox.

Rizzo will be out of the lineup for a third consecutive game after he was scratched Tuesday due to lower-back stiffness. He hasn't appeared in either of the last two games, but it's not yet clear whether he could be available off the bench for Thursday's series opener in Boston.

Mountcastle (illness) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Thursday's game against the Angels, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

He'll be back in action after a two-game absence caused by a sinus issue. With Mountcastle returning to the lineup, Ryan McKenna will move back to a bench role after starting in four of the previous six contests.

General manager Jerry Dipoto said that France (elbow) will be reinstated from the 10-day injured list at some point during the Mariners' four-game series with the Blue Jays and could be activated as soon as Thursday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Before he was diagnosed in late June with a Grade 2 flexor strain of his left elbow, France had made a strong case for his first All-Star nod. In 70 games with Seattle, France compiled a .316/.390/.476 slash line while slugging 10 home runs and driving in 45. Though he hasn't been sent out for a minor-league rehab assignment, France has apparently shown steady improvement during workouts in the last several days and looks to be on the cusp of rejoining the Seattle lineup. Whenever he's officially cleared to play again, France should step into an everyday role at either first base or designated hitter, which will leave fewer opportunities available for the likes of Abraham Toro and Justin Upton.

Gurriel is out of the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Royals, likely due to an undisclosed injury, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Gurriel will be on the bench for a second straight contest, and though the Astros haven't provided an explanation behind the back-to-back absences, the 38-year-old is presumably dealing with a physical concern. J.J. Matijevic gets the start at first base in Gurriel's stead and bats sixth in the series finale.