MLB Player News

Pasqualino (shoulder) hit on the field ahead of Friday's game against the Tigers, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Pasquantino has been on the injured list since Aug. 23 due to right shoulder discomfort, but manager Mike Matheny said Friday that the 24-year-old is getting closer to a return. It's not yet clear whether Pasquantino will require a rehab assignment prior to rejoining the Royals.

Rizzo (back) received an epidural Friday and will likely be unavailable until at least Tuesday, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Rizzo has been dealing with a back issue for a few days and recently remained in California to see a specialist. He'll be forced to miss the Yankees' weekend series against the Rays, but manager Aaron Boone hopes that the first baseman will be able to avoid a trip to the injured list.

Casas will remain at Triple-A Worcester for now but could be added to the major-league roster later in September, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora noted Thursday the prospect could still be up with the team before the end of the season, but he said the organization wants Casas to get more reps with the WooSox after he missed two months with an ankle injury. "He's still getting his at-bats, he's getting his repetitions. That's the most important thing. Everybody gets excited, 'Yeah, get him here and do this.' But as of now, I think that's the best way for him to keep getting reps and keep getting better," Cora said. Casas has a .926 OPS with five home runs and 15 RBI over 35 games (166 plate appearances) since rejoining Worcester on July 22. Boston has a hole at first base, but Casas may not get a chance to fill it until Opening Day 2023.

Mountcastle went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's victory over Cleveland.

Mountcastle blasted a home run off Shane Bieber to give the Orioles a 3-0 lead on their third solo shot of the game. The first baseman had been in a mini-slump during his prior six games, batting .100 (2-for-20) with zero extra-base hits, nine strikeouts and only one RBI.

France went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI on Thursday against the Tigers.

France delivered his 17th home run of the season in the third inning, going back-to-back with Julio Rodriguez. After an 18-game stretch without a long ball, France has now gone deep in three of his last four games. For the season, he is hitting .284/.351/.446 across 485 plate appearances.

Rizzo remained in California to visit a back specialist and could miss the Yankees' weekend series against the Rays, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Rizzo's injury didn't seem particularly serious at the time of the diagnosis, as manager Aaron Boone said a stint on the injured list was not in consideration. However, the visit to a specialist is a noteworthy development -- at least until further word emerges on the results of the evaluation.

Calhoun is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox.

The lefty-hitting Calhoun is on the bench for the fourth time in six games, with each absence coming against a left-handed starting pitcher. The righty-hitting Bubba Thompson will once again spell Calhoun in left field.

The Rays recalled Aranda from Triple-A Durham on Thursday.

Aranda, 24, is one of Tampa Bay's best hitting prospects, having amassed a .319/.394/.521 slash line this year at Triple-A. He has 20-plus starts at first base, second base and third base, while also getting a handful of starts at designated hitter and in left field. With Brandon Lowe and Isaac Paredes banged up, Aranda may be able to get a few starts per week down the stretch.

The Tigers recalled Torkelson from Triple-A Toledo on Thursday.

Torkelson and infield prospect Ryan Kreidler received promotions from Toledo with the Tigers' 26-man roster expanding to 28 on Thursday. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 First-Year Player Draft got off to a rough start to his big-league career earlier this season, turning in a .197/.282/.295 slash line over 298 plate appearances before being demoted to Toledo on July 17. His .737 OPS over 35 games at Triple-A didn't mark a major improvement for the 23-year-old considering the level of competition, so the Tigers may not be eager to reinstall him as their everyday first baseman in September. Harold Castro will remain in the lineup at first base in Thursday's series finale with the Mariners, while Torkelson hits the bench.

Santana is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Tigers, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

While starting in each of the last nine games -- including eight at designated hitter -- Santana slashed .207/.303/.345 with a home run and a 4:7 BB:K. Santana had started to transition into more of a part-time role in early August, but his opportunities picked up in the back half of the month while Sam Haggerty dealt with shoulder and finger injuries. However, with Haggerty making his second straight start in the outfield Thursday, Santana will likely find himself on the bench more frequently while Mitch Haniger gets deployed at DH on a regular basis.