MLB Player News

Lowe went 2-for-4 with a home run in a 5-4 loss to the Athletics on Friday.

Lowe helped his team attempt to claw back into the game by taking struggling Athletics closer Lou Trivino deep to right in the ninth inning. It was Lowe's 13th home run of the season and his 40th RBI. The 27-year-old first baseman is now slashing .246/.307/.420 with three home runs in 18 games in July.

Diaz went 1-for-3 with a three-run double and two walks in a 7-3 win over the Royals on Friday.

Diaz came up big with the bases loaded in the fourth inning and cashed in three with a bases-clearing double off Brad Keller, who was bothered by drainage from his nose. Diaz is slashing an excellent .383/.479/.533 in July and continues to set the table for the Rays' offense as a reliable leadoff man.

France went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Astros.

France extended his hitting streak to five games, and he's notched an extra-base hit in each of those contests. In that span, he's gone 9-for-24 (.375) with two homers and three doubles. The infielder has a .307/.376/.476 slash line with 12 long balls, 50 RBI, 36 runs scored and 18 doubles through 80 contests. He should continue to be a near-everyday presence in the Mariners' lineup.

Gurriel went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Friday's 5-2 win over the Mariners.

Gurriel singled and stole second in the second inning, but that was the extent of his offense Friday. The 38-year-old has four stolen bases in as many attempts this year, putting him one shy of his career high in thefts. He's batting .276 (16-for-58) in July, lifting his season slash line to .235/.285/.384 with seven home runs, 26 RBI and 31 runs scored in 85 games.

Calhoun will sit Friday versus the Athletics.

Calhoun will get a breather Friday to open the second half of the season. Charlie Culberson will take over in left field and bat eighth against Oakland.

Pratto was called up from Triple-A Omaha and will start Friday against the Rays, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

After being sent down to Triple-A on Sunday, Pratto will return to the big leagues ahead of the Royals' first series of the second half. The 23-year-old will replace Edward Olivares (quadriceps) on the active roster after Olivares was placed on the 10-day injured list. Pratto is starting at first base and batting seventh against Tampa Bay.

Casas (ankle) was reinstated from the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Joe McDonald of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports.

Casas hasn't played at the Triple-A level since May 17 due to a right ankle sprain, but he'll start at first base Friday before likely serving as the designated hitter Saturday. Over 36 games this year for Worcester, he's slashed .248/.359/.457 with six homers, 22 runs and 22 RBI.

Diaz (forearm) is starting at third base and batting leadoff Friday against the Royals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Diaz missed the Rays' final game before the All-Star break after he was hit in the forearm by a pitch Saturday, but he's locked and loaded to start the second half Friday. The 30-year-old owns a .294 average with three home runs, 26 RBI, 40 runs and a stolen base over 83 games this year.

Rizzo isn't starting the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Astros.

Rizzo started at first base during Thursday's matinee and went 1-for-4. He'll get a breather while Aaron Judge serves as the designated hitter with Tim Locastro starting in right field.

Gurriel is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Yankees, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Gurriel started the matinee and went 0-for-4 with a strikeout during Houston's victory. J.J. Matijevic, who walked off New York in Game 1 with an RBI single, will start at first base in the nightcap.