MLB Player News

Kurtz went 2-for-4 with a solo homer in Sunday's 3-2 victory at Kansas City.

The 22-year-old rookie gave the Athletics a 3-2 lead with his 411-foot homer off Royals reliever Carlos Estevez in the ninth inning. This marks Kurtz's first homer since returning from a hip injury June 9, as he's now batting .142 (3-for-21) with no walks since that date. Overall, the Athletics first baseman is slashing .235/.295/.435 with six homers, 17 RBI and 12 runs scored across 129 total plate appearances.

Aranda went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 9-0 victory over the Mets.

The Tampa Bay first baseman extended his team's lead to 6-0 with a two-RBI double off reliever Max Kranick in the fifth inning. Despite not cracking a homer, Aranda has been on fire in June, batting .325 (14-for-43) with two doubles, seven runs scored and eight RBI across 13 contests. Through 252 total plate appearances, the 27-year-old is now slashing .321/.413/.493 with eight homers, 13 doubles, 35 runs scored and 39 RBI.

Walker is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Walker's troubles at the plate have continued in June with a .678 OPS through 12 games, and he'll sit Sunday after starting the previous 14 contests. Victor Caratini will take over at first base for the series finale versus Minnesota.

Soderstrom is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.

The 23-year-old will take a seat for the first time since May 4 while the Athletics hand JJ Bleday a start in left field. Though he's been limited to two home runs through his first 13 games in June, Soderstrom has demonstrated a patient approach at the plate, drawing 10 walks while striking out just nine times.

Goldschmidt is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Goldschmidt will receive Sunday off after a run of 16 consecutive starts, during which he posted a .194/.275/.339 slash line with three doubles and two homers. Ben Rice will step in at first base for the Yankees while Aaron Judge rests his legs as the designated hitter.

The White Sox optioned Elko to Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday.

Elko had been working as Chicago's primary first baseman prior to the demotion and slugged four homers with eight RBI and a stolen base over 18 games, though he posted a mediocre .601 OPS and 38.1 percent strikeout rate. His spot on the 26-man roster has been taken by Ryan Noda, who was called up from Charlotte in a corresponding move and could take over as Chicago's top option at first base.

The White Sox recalled Noda from Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday.

Noda was DFA'd by Boston on June 9 and was subsequently claimed off waivers by the White Sox. Chicago initially optioned the first baseman to Triple-A but has now brought him to the major-league roster. In a corresponding roster move, fellow infielder Tim Elko as optioned to the minors. Noda is starting at first base and batting seventh in his White Sox debut Saturday.

Torkelson isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Reds.

Torkelson will rest his legs Saturday after going 8-for-25 (.320) with two homers, five RBI and four runs scored across his last seven games. His absence will put Colt Keith at first base and open a spot in the lineup for Wenceel Perez to bat seventh while covering left field.

France went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 10-3 loss to the Astros.

The first baseman got hold of a Steven Okert slider in the ninth inning, on a night when all of Minnesota's offense came on solo homers. It was France's fifth long ball of the year and his first since May 23, ending an 18-game drought, but he stayed productive despite the lack of power by batting .338 (23-for-68) with nine runs and 10 RBI during that stretch.

Tellez went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and a double in Friday's 7-2 win over the Guardians.

Tellez is batting .258 (8-for-31) over 10 games in June, with three of his hits in that span going over the fence. The first baseman is up to 11 homers, 27 RBI, 18 runs scored and a .214/.257/.453 slash line through 58 contests. His power has often come in bunches this season, but he's just two long balls shy of matching his total from each of the last two years, so he's doing just fine in a strong-side platoon role.