MLB Player News

Mountcastle (neck) will start at first base Friday against the Red Sox, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

The Orioles have yet to release their full lineup for Friday, but Mountcastle will be included after sitting out the past two games with neck stiffness. The 25-year-old has endured some offensive struggles early in 2022 and has a .232/.264/.290 slash line with one home run, seven RBI, six runs and a stolen base in 72 plate appearances.

Vaughn is starting in left field and batting second Friday against the Angels, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Although Luis Robert is back in the lineup Friday, manager Tony La Russa said Vaughn has earned the right to stay in the No. 2 spot for now after he hit .286 with two homers, two doubles, six RBI and two runs over the last six games. As long as Vaughn remains effective, he's the favorite to stick in the second spot in the lineup.

Guerrero (foot) is starting at first base and batting third Friday against the Astros.

The 23-year-old sat out Thursday's series opener after fouling a pitch off his right foot Wednesday against the Red Sox, but his absence will be limited to just one game, as expected. Guerrero initially played through the injury and had X-rays come back negative, so there shouldn't be any lingering concern now that he's retaking the field.

Santana went 0-for-2 with three walks and a run scored in Thursday's 5-2 extra-inning win over the White Sox.

One of Santana's walks came in the Royals' three-run 10th inning. The first baseman's bat is cold to start the season with a .106 batting average, but he's partially offset that by posting a 22.6 percent walk rate through 15 games. He's added a home run, five RBI, six runs scored and a double in 62 plate appearances while regularly hitting in the middle of the order.

Harris went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run and three RBI for Double-A Frisco on Thursday.

Batting third in the order, Harris hit the second of his team's two homers in the ninth inning, when the RoughRiders plated all of their runs in a 6-1 win. The outfield prospect has moved beyond a slow start at Double-A and is slashing .316/.369/.474 with two long balls, 13 RBI, nine runs and three steals in 15 games.

Calhoun batted leadoff and went 0-for-4 in Thursday's 3-2 loss to Houston.

Calhoun slotted into the leadoff spot for the second consecutive game, with both coming against right-handers. That had been Brad Miller's job, but a 4-for-31 stretch sent Miller tumbling down the lineup. Calhoun, who has gone 2-for-9 atop the order, is hitting .184/.204/.420 through 51 plate appearances. Against lefties, Marcus Semien leads off while the lefty-hitting Calhoun is typically on the bench.

Guerrero (foot) is expected to be available for Friday's game against the Astros, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Manager Charlie Montoyo said Guerrero was set to pinch hit late in Thursday's win over the Red Sox, but he didn't end up appearing in the game. However, he received treatment Thursday after fouling a ball off his right foot Wednesday, so he's expected to be available following a one-game absence.

Guerrero underwent X-rays on his right foot Wednesday which were negative, but his foot is still sore enough that he won't be in the lineup for Thursday's game against Boston, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Guerrero fouled a ball off his foot Wednesday, and while he remained in the game, he evidently didn't escape entirely without injury. His issue does seem to be a minor one, as he could be available off the bench if he responds well to pregame treatment, but it will be Gosuke Katoh serving as the first baseman for now.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said he expects Mountcastle (neck) to return to the lineup Friday against the Red Sox, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

A stiff neck is keeping Mountcastle out of the lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Yankees, but the 25-year-old is reportedly showing improvement after missing Wednesday's 5-2 loss due to the issue. The Orioles will presumably wait and see how Mountcastle is feeling early Friday before determining whether he'll re-enter the lineup for the series opener with Boston.

Guerrero isn't starting Thursday against the Red Sox.

Guerrero fouled a ball off his right foot in Wednesday's loss to the Red Sox but remained in the game. It's not yet clear whether he's dealing with a foot issue Thursday or whether he'll be available off the bench. However, Gosuke Katoh will take over at first base and bat eighth.