MLB Player News

Diaz is out of the lineup for Tuesday's series opener against the Nationals, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Diaz has gone 3-for-29 with one RBI and nine strikeouts in his last seven games. Despite his meager .241 average in 2021, the 29-year-old has still gotten on base at a reliable .370 clip, as he's walked more times (48) than he's struck out (47). Ji-Man Choi will start at first base and bat second Tuesday.

Dalbec went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Monday's 6-5 win over the Royals.

Dalbec's second-inning blast, his 10th, snapped an 0-for-15 skid, a stretch that included 10 strikeouts. He remains Boston's primary first baseman, but his .685 OPS and 37.6 percent strikeout rate leaves him susceptible to losing at-bats to Michael Chavis or Danny Santana.

Mountcastle went 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBI, two walks and two runs in Monday's 9-7 win over the Astros.

Mountcastle took Zack Greinke deep in the fifth inning to give the Orioles the lead and ended up reaching base safely four times in the game. The 24-year-old has been on fire lately, batting .396 with six long balls, 13 RBI and a 7:11 BB:K over his last 13 games. He is slashing .269/.309/.478 in 288 plate appearances this season.

Santana went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer in Monday's 6-5 loss to Boston.

Santana gave the Royals an early lead with his three-run blast off Garrett Richards in the first inning. The veteran slugger is slashing .243/.365/.410 with 13 homers and 45 RBI on the year. He's hitting just .228 with three long balls in June.

Abreu (knee) was ready to play Monday against Minnesota if the game hadn't been postponed by rain, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Abreu was hit by a pitch in his left knee in the first half of Sunday's doubleheader against Seattle and did not take part in the nightcap. Whether or not the White Sox actually would have started him Monday is unclear, as his opinion of his health doesn't necessarily line up with the team's, but it doesn't look as though he'll miss too much more time.

The Twins promoted Steer from High-A Cedar Rapids to Double-A Wichita on Monday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Steer will move up a rung on the organizational ladder after slashing .274/.409/.506 with 10 home runs and four stolen bases across 208 plate appearances at Cedar Rapids. The 23-year-old infielder has exhibited excellent contact and on-base skills at each of his three minor-league stops, but his ability to hit for power at the upper levels is still very much in question, despite his stellar .232 ISO at High-A.

Naylor (ankle) hit the injured list as expected Monday.

The move was an expected one, as Naylor was carted off the field Sunday against Minnesota after suffering an ankle fracture. The injury is bad enough that it will require surgery, and while he's yet to be officially ruled out for the season, that appears to be a distinct possibility. Oscar Mercado was recalled in a corresponding move.

Olson went 1-for-3 with two walks, a stolen base and a run in a win over the Giants on Sunday.

The versatile slugger got it done with some small ball Sunday, boosting his season OBP to an elite, career-high .379 by reaching safely in the 24th game over his last 26. Olson's .296 average also ranks as a new high-water mark and augments what could ultimately turn out to be a career-best campaign for Olson if he remains healthy.

France is hitting .105 (2-for-19) with a solo home run, two walks, five strikeouts and two runs over the five games since suffering a bone bruise in his wrist June 13.

France opted to play through the injury and hasn't missed a game since, but as the cited numbers indicate, he isn't exactly thriving at the plate. The 26-year-old did belt his seventh homer in the conclusion of Saturday's suspended game, but it appears Monday's team off day comes at a very good time for France.

Naylor will return to Cleveland on Monday for further evaluation after he received an initial diagnosis of a "closed fracture and dislocation" of his right ankle upon exiting Sunday's 8-2 loss to the Twins, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Cleveland expects to reveal a clearer timeline for Naylor's return to action once his medical evaluations are complete, but since the 24-year-old is already being scheduled for surgery, he'll be at risk of missing the remainder of the season. With Naylor headed to the injured list, the likes of Bobby Bradley, Harold Ramirez and Bradley Zimmer should be locked into near-everyday roles for the foreseeable future.