MLB Player News

Fernandez went 3-for-5 with two doubles and one RBI in Friday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Mariners.

Fernandez entered Friday just 1-for-17 over his last six games. The infielder was able to break out with a big game, and after Nolan Arenado (arm/groin) was plunked in the ninth inning, there's the possibility Fernandez will be needed to fill in at third base for a while longer. Fernandez is hitting .268 with a .677 OPS, three home runs, 15 RBI, 23 runs scored and six stolen bases across 49 contests this season.

Freeman went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 4-2 win over the Phillies.

This was Freeman's second consecutive game with a homer. He's gone deep four times over his last nine contests, a span in which he's hitting .367 (11-for-30) with four doubles and seven RBI. That stretch accounts for half of his eight homers this season, and he's batting .271 with an .839 OPS, 27 RBI, 28 runs scored, 15 doubles and two stolen bases over 54 contests.

Devers went 2-for-4 with an RBI triple, one walk and a run scored in Friday's 8-6 loss to the Rockies.

Devers hit his first triple of the season in the top of the ninth inning and later scored on a Matt Chapman single to give the Giants a 6-3 lead. After a really poor start to the season, Devers has been swinging the bat better this month. He's hit safely in 20 of 25 games in May and has eight multi-hit efforts to push his slash line to .247/.292/.420 with seven homers, 29 RBI, 22 runs scored and a 14:70 BB:K across 236 plate appearances this season. Devers' 5.9 percent walk rate is well below his 15.4 percent number from last season. He also has a career-low .406 xSLG and .288 xwOBA.

Vientos went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during the Mets' 9-7 extra-inning win over the Marlins on Friday.

Vientos extended the Mets' lead to 5-1 in the third inning after taking Max Meyer deep to left-center field for a solo home run. It was the seventh long ball of the year for Vientos, five of which have come over his last 24 games since May 3. He is slashing .224/.261/.391 with 24 RBI and 15 extra-base hits over 184 plate appearances this season.

Polanco (Achilles) will play two more rehab games and could be activated from the 10-day injured list some time next week on the Mets' road trip, Andrew Tredinnick of The Bergen Record reports.

Polanco has played one rehab game with Double-A Binghamton to this point, going 1-for-2 with a single and a strikeout. He's been out since mid-April with a right wrist contusion and left Achilles bursitis, and it's the latter injury that's lengthened his recovery. When he does return from the IL, Polanco will be used primarily at designated hitter.

Ortiz has hit safely in seven straight games for Triple-A Rochester, batting .333 (10-for-30) with seven home runs and 20 RBI during that stretch.

The 24-year-old first baseman is decimating the International League to close out May as he turns things around following a sluggish start to the season. At the end of April, Ortiz carried a .231/.375/.352 slash line with just one homer in 27 games. If he keeps swinging a hot bat, he could slug his way into the Nationals' 1B/DH picture over the summer.

Morel could be released if he doesn't begin hitting soon, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

Signed to a modest one-year contract this offseason and asked to transition from the outfield to first base, Morel had his campaign put on pause by an Opening Day oblique strain, but the 26-year-old has contributed very little since coming off the IL in late April. Over 63 plate appearances this season, Morel is slashing .169/.222/.220 with zero homers and a 3:23 BB:K. Clearing him off the roster would potentially open up a spot for top prospect Kemp Alderman (wrist), who has been getting work at first base at Triple-A Jacksonville -- although it was a collision at first base while playing defense that led to his current wrist injury. In the meantime, Connor Norby and Liam Hicks will be the primary options at 1B for Miami while Morel tries to find his swing.

The Dodgers recalled Ward from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, reports Fabrian Ardaya of The Athletic

Ward will come back up to the major leagues after a brief stint with the big-league club in April. As Teoscar Hernandez heads to the injured list, Ward will replace him on the active roster. The 28-year-old recorded two hits in his first six MLB plate appearances while he was last with the Dodgers last month.

Freeman went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Rockies.

Freeman picked up his fourth multi-hit effort over the last eight games, a span in which he's added three homers, four doubles and six RBI. The first baseman's blast in the first inning ended up being the decisive run in the game. Freeman is now batting .271 with an .830 OPS, seven long balls, 26 RBI, 27 runs scored, 15 doubles, one triple and two stolen bases over 53 contests this season.

Rumfield (hand) will start at first base and bat third Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Rumfield was hit on the hand by a pitch in Monday's contest and didn't play Tuesday, but he's been given the green light to return for Wednesday's series finale. The 26-year-old rookie has been one of the most productive members of Colorado's lineup this season and is slashing .345/.441/.517 with five RBI and four runs across his last 10 games.