MLB Player News

Cron went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 7-0 win over the Nationals.

The 27-year-old got a start against the left-handed Gio Gonzalez and connected on his fourth homer of the season. Cron has been shuttled back and forth between the majors and the minors, as well as having his role drastically changed on a regular basis by manager Mike Scioscia, all of which has severely diminished his fantasy value after contributing 32 long balls over the past two seasons. He is currently in a platoon at first base, but Cron could carve out a larger role if he can outperform Luis Valbuena and his .183 batting average.

Mountcastle was called up to Double-A Bowie on Thursday, Steve Melewski of MASN Sports reports.

Mountcastle will make his first start with Bowie at third base against Altoona on Thursday. The 20-year-old was hitting .314/.343/.542 with 15 home runs and 47 RBI during 88 games with High-A Frederick upon his promotion. Mountcastle will get a chance to see how he stacks up at the next level, with a spotlight on his K:BB that was sitting at 61:14 during his time with Frederick. The top prospect will need to improve on those numbers in order to continue his progression for the Orioles.

Carter signed a minor-league contract with the Athletics on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of FanRagSports.com reports.

Carter will report to Triple-A Nashville to begin his career in the organization. He was atrocious with the Yankees this season, as he managed just a .201/.284/.370 line on 62 appearances. He hit 41 home runs for the Brewers in 2016, but he simply hasn't shown enough contact ability to warrant a major-league roster spot this year. If he can get hot for Nashville, though, the A's might be willing to give him a shot.

Calhoun is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

Calhoun will get the day off after starting the past four games, and with the Angels facing left-hander Gio Gonzalez for the series finale. In his place, Shane Robinson draws the start in right, batting seventh.

Santana is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Giants.

With no designated hitter available in the National League park once more, Santana will retreat to the bench for the second night in a row. Edwin Encarnacion will man first base in his place, and very well could do so Wednesday as well.

Padlo (undisclosed) is just 3-for-16 (.188) since returning from the disabled list with High-A Charlotte on July 12.

Granted, he is 3-for-6 with a home run over the past two games, but the fifth-round draft pick (2014) continues to struggle at the plate as he moves up the Rays' organization. Padlo's eye at the plate is solid (14.9 percent walk rate) and the power is there, but there's plenty of swing and miss in his game, which could hinder his advancement up the organizational ladder.

Cooper went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, an RBI and a run Monday in Minnesota.

Cooper got the nerves out of the way by getting his first big-league hit with a double Sunday in Boston, and he kept it going in this one. Hitter-friendly park or not, Cooper displayed serious ability at the plate with a .366/.428/.652 line at the Triple-A level in the Brewers organization before getting traded to New York. With Greg Bird (ankle) scheduled to undergo surgery Tuesday and projected to miss six weeks, Cooper could earn everyday at-bats at first base if he continues to swing well.

Santana is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Giants, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

Santana has been a mainstay in the Indians' lineup this season, but he'll find himself on the bench as the Indians go without a designated hitter in their interleague matchup with the Giants. Edwin Encarnacion will take over at first base.

White was placed on the 7-day disabled list at short-season Everett on Monday due to a strained quadriceps, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

White, the Mariners' top overall selection in the first-year player draft in June, was hitting .277/.345/.532 through his first 14 games as a professional. The severity of the injury isn't known, but it's not expected to significantly delay White's matriculation through the Mariners' farm system.

Cron mashed a pinch-hit, two-run home run in Sunday's win over the Rays.

Cron's eighth-inning blast broke a 2-2 tie, propelling Los Angeles to a 4-3 win. The 27-year-old first baseman has put up an underwhelming .220/.271/.333 line after hitting 16 home runs in each of the previous two seasons, but he should be able to earn more playing time if he heats up given that alternative option Luis Valbuena owns an equally unimpressive .186/.267/.344 line.