MLB Player News

Mountcastle was removed from Friday's game against the Rays due to an apparent injury, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Mountcastle was shaken up while attempting to steal second base in the first inning, but he was initially able to remain in the game. However, he was replaced defensively in the top of the third inning after going 1-for-1 with an RBI. The nature and severity of the injury aren't yet clear.

France went 2-for-4 with a double in a loss to the Yankees on Thursday.

France continues to demonstrate consistency at the plate, now sporting a .293/.339/.466 slash line across his last 14 games following his fifth multi-hit effort in that sample. The 27-year-old has been a solid all-around fantasy contributor, and his modest 16.6 percent strikeout rate has helped keep him a consistent presence on the bases (.351 on-base percentage).

Gurriel was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with neck stiffness, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Gurriel missed the previous three games with the stiff neck, and now the club has determined the issue is severe enough to place the first baseman on the IL. The move is retroactive to Tuesday, so Gurriel will be eligible for activation Aug. 13 against the Angels, though it's not yet known if he could require additional time to recover. Jacob Wilson and Taylor Jones were recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land, with Robel Garcia being sent down in corresponding roster moves.

Torkelson's last 23 games in Double-A have seen him go 16-for-75 (.213) with four homers, 13 RBI, 13 runs and a 17:24 BB:K.

Even in the midst of this slump, which has driven his batting average for Erie down to .241, Torkelson's pop and plate discipline have been readily apparent, which is why he still has a .369 OBP and .511 slugging percentage. It's likely that the 2020 draft's No. 1 pick has just been getting unlucky, as he owns a .250 BABIP in Double-A play. He remains one of the game's top prospects, but that subpar batting average may offer an intriguing buy-low opportunity in dynasty formats.

Abreu went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Royals.

Abreu was the only player to get an extra-base hit off Daniel Lynch, homering in the first inning. In addition, he added a single in the sixth frame. It is the third time he has homered in back-to-back games this season. The 34-year-old is slashing .245/.333/.461 with 20 homers, 82 RBI and 53 runs scored in 435 plate appearances. His 82 RBI are tied for second-most in all of baseball.

Gurriel (neck) is out of the lineup Thursday against the Twins, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Gurriel was scratched from Tuesday's starting nine with neck stiffness and has yet to rejoin the lineup. The 37-year-old should continue to be considered day-to-day until the team updates his status. Martin Maldonado will receive a rare start at first base Thursday while Jason Castro works behind the plate.

O'Hearn is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.

As per usual, the lefty-hitting O'Hearn will retreat to the bench with a southpaw (Dallas Keuchel) on the mound for the opposition. Emmanuel Rivera will pick up a spot start in O'Hearn's stead, occupying third base while Hunter Dozier moves to right field.

Gittens (ankle) was spotted performing fielding drills at first base Thursday, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

The workout marks the first known baseball activity Gittens has performed on the field since he was placed on the 10-day injured list July 25 with a sprained left ankle. Gittens is without a clear timeline for a return, but once activated, he'll most likely be optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The Yankees acquired Anthony Rizzo from the Cubs last week to take over as their everyday first baseman, while the player Gittens had been replacing, Luke Voit (knee), is on the track to beat him back from the IL.

Vaughn started in left field and went 2-for-2 with a walk in Wednesday's 9-1 loss to the Royals.

Vaughn has been playing left field while Eloy Jimenez, who returned from a groin injury Tuesday, works his way back from the injury. This was the 20th multi-hit game this season for Vaughn, who is slashing .343/.389/.588 with six home runs, 16 RBI and 18 runs scored over the last 30 contests.

O'Hearn went 1-for-2 with a home run, a walk and three RBI in a victory over the White Sox on Wednesday.

Serving as the Royals' designated hitter, O'Hearn drove in the first run of the game with a sac fly in the first inning. He then went deep to center field in the seventh to extend the team's lead to 8-1. The three RBI tied a season high for the 28-year-old. He is hitting .226 on the season while carrying a problematic 32.9 percent strikeout rate over 155 at-bats.