MLB Player News

Cron went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run during Sunday's 9-0 victory over the Mets.

Cron delivered a three-run homer in the first inning to spot the Rays with an early lead, his first since June 19. After going 3-for-7 with a double, a home run, three RBI and a walk over Tampa Bay's three-game series with the Mets, Cron is batting .244 with 31 extra-base hits and 42 RBI on the year through 82 games.

Gurriel went 2-for-4 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored Saturday against the White Sox.

Gurriel took James Shields deep for a three-run homer in the third inning for his sixth home run of the season and third in his past 10 games. He's also driven in 14 runs in that span, and while that pace won't be maintained, Gurriel should be capable of providing strong counting stats thanks to his continued presence in the middle of the Astros lineup.

Olson went 2-for-4 a double and a solo home run in a loss to the Indians on Friday.

Olson took Carlos Carrasco deep in the second inning with a 438-foot shot to center that extended the Athletics' early lead to 2-0. The 24-year-old has been on a power surge of late, racking up eight extra-base hits -- including five homers -- on the strength of a 55.3 percent hard-contact rate over the 64 plate appearances encompassing his last 15 games.

Gurriel went 2-for-3 with an RBI, a stolen base and two walks in a 4-3 win over the White Sox on Thursday.

Gurriel sent his team home happy with a game-winning single in the ninth inning. He also stole his third base of the season and first since June 2. Despite just five homers on the season, Gurriel owns a .300 average with 40 RBI and just 32 strikeouts.

Abreu fouled a ball off his injured ankle Wednesday and was in obvious pain, but remained in the game, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Abreu missed Tuesday's game after fouling a ball off his left ankle Monday. He returned to the lineup Wednesday, but only if he would wear a shin guard, at the insistence of manager Rick Renteria. ''I'll be carrying this and making sure he's wearing it every day,'' Renteria said. ''If he wants to stay in the lineup, he has to wear this.'' There was no babying Abreu, who played in the field Wednesday.

Gurriel went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Wednesday's win over the Rangers.

Gurriel's solo blast in the fifth inning tied the score at four, and that's where the score stood until Houston plated the winning run in the top of the 10th. Boosted by a strong month of June, the 34-year-old is slashing .296/.322/.426 on the year to go along with five homers and 39 RBI.

Calhoun went 3-for-5 with a homer, three RBI and two runs scored Wednesday against the Mariners.

Calhoun started the year with a horrendous .145/.195/.179 line through the end of May, but he's been quite good since returning from an oblique injury in mid-June. In his last 15 games, he's hit .306 with four home runs.

Abreu (ankle) will start at first base and bat third against Cincinnati on Wednesday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

As expected, Abreu is back in the lineup after beginning Tuesday's game on the bench due to a minor left ankle injury. There shouldn't be any concern over his status moving forward.

Calhoun is out of the lineup versus the Mariners on Tuesday.

Calhoun will take a seat with southpaw Wade LeBlanc on the hill for Seattle. In his place, Chris Young will man right field.

Abreu (ankle) is expected to start Wednesday against the Reds, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Abreu left Monday's game after fouling a ball off his ankle and was not in the starting lineup Tuesday. The injury appears to be a minor one, as it was diagnosed as just a bruise, and he's unlikely to miss more than one start.