MLB Player News

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.

France is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

After striking out in all four of his at-bats in Tuesday's 4-3 loss, France will get a chance to clear his head in the series finale. France had been included in the lineup at first base in each of the Friars' previous four games, with three of those starts coming against right-handed pitching. He looks like he may have the edge over Nick Castellanos for the final opening in San Diego's everyday lineup until the team gets Jake Cronenworth (concussion) back from the 7-day injured list.

Mead will start at third base and bat third in Wednesday's game against the Guardians.

Though he's mainly been used in the short side of a platoon at first base with Luis Garcia this season, Mead has now drawn his last seven starts at the hot corner and looks to have emerged as the preferred option at the position following Brady House's recent demotion to Triple-A Rochester. The Nationals will include Mead in the starting nine for a second straight matchup versus a right-hander (Gavin Williams), after the 25-year-old slugged home runs off righties Tanner Bibee and Matt Festa during Monday's series opener in Cleveland. Altogether, Mead is slashing .235/.355/.479 with seven home runs, three steals, 20 RBI and 22 runs in 141 plate appearances on the season, and he could be worthy of a pickup in fantasy leagues where he's available now that he's seemingly moved into a near-everyday role.

Polanco (Achilles) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton on Wednesday, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

Polanco has been cleared to return to game action after being sidelined since mid-April with a right wrist contusion and left Achilles bursitis. It's the Achilles issue that Polanco has had trouble overcoming, and he will likely have to manage the injury the rest of the season. Polanco will probably require a handful of rehab games before rejoining the active roster in early June. When he does return, he's slated to see the bulk of his playing time at designated hitter.

Vargas went 1-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 7-5 win over San Francisco.

Vargas had a couple of productive outs that knocked in runs. He's been in a significant slump the last two weeks -- Tuesday's eighth-inning double snapped an 0-for-22 run -- but Vargas continues to lead the team with 34 RBI. The 34-year-old infielder is slashing .303/.332/.486 over 194 plate appearances.

Fernandez entered Tuesday's game in the seventh inning after Nolan Arenado was removed due to a groin injury. Fernandez was hitless in his lone at-bat in a 7-5 win over the Giants.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo downplayed Arenado's injury to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports following the game and indicated there were no plans to have Arenado undergo imaging. Arenado is considered day-to-day, and Fernandez is likely to fill in at third base if needed.

Harper went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, two walks and a second run scored in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Padres.

Harper had gone seven games without a homer entering Tuesday, one contest shy of his longest power drought of the season. The first baseman's blast opened the scoring in the first inning. He's up to 13 homers, 33 RBI, 33 runs scored, four stolen bases, 10 doubles and a triple while hitting .272 with a .900 OPS over 55 games this year. Staying healthy will be important, but Harper is on pace for his most homers in a year since he had 35 in 2021.