MLB Player News

France went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run, a walk and a hit-by-pitch in Friday's 7-1 win over the Dodgers.

France's second-inning blast answered a solo shot from Mookie Betts in the top of that same frame. This was France's second straight game with a homer, and four of his 10 long balls this year have come over his last seven games. For the season, the first baseman is batting .255 with an .810 OPS, 29 RBI, 20 runs scored, one stolen base, seven doubles and two triples over 179 plate appearances. As long as his bat is hot, France should be in the lineup most of the time.

The Marlins optioned Norby to Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday.

Norby is slashing only .194/.306/.290 in June and had started back-to-back games on only one occasion. He will aim to get his swing in order at Jacksonville.

Harper went 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBI, two walks and two runs scored in Thursday's 10-5 win over the Nationals.

Harper continues to put together an excellent month of June at the dish, batting .289 with five homers, four doubles, one triple and 13 RBI over his last 76 at-bats. Through 338 plate appearances for the year, the 33-year-old fantasy stalwart is slashing a robust .269/.373/.523 with 18 long balls, 47 RBI, five stolen bases and 54 runs scored.

Chaparro went 0-for-3 with a run scored in Thursday's loss to the Phillies.

Getting the start at first base and batting third, Chaparro crossed the plate in the first inning after getting hit by a pitch, but it was his only contribution in a 10-5 loss. Since returning to the majors in mid-May, Chaparro is slashing just .172/.368/.241 with zero homers in 38 plate appearances, but for now he'll continue to operate as a short-side platoon partner for Luis Garcia.

Mead went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Thursday's loss to the Phillies.

The 25-year-old went deep for the second straight game and the third time in the last four, ripping a Cristopher Sanchez first-pitch sinker over the left-field fence in the first inning. Mead is still having trouble stringing together base hits -- his last multi-hit performance came June 10, and he's batting just .146 (6-for-41) over 12 contests since then -- but he's already popped for career-best power numbers with 14 home runs and 39 RBI in 237 plate appearances this season.

Young went 1-for-1 with a walk and a solo home run in Thursday's loss to the Cubs.

The 30-year-old replaced Mark Vientos in the top of the seventh inning and led off the bottom of the frame with his sixth homer of the season, driving a Phil Maton curveball over the right-field fence. Young has gone yard twice in the last three games despite getting only five plate appearances as he handles a strong-side platoon role, and over 20 games in June he's managed a lopsided .210/.269/.484 slash line with five home runs and 10 RBI.

Cronenworth (concussion), who was expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A El Paso, did not get cleared in time to play, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Cronenworth had been slated to see his first game action since May 4, but the approval process necessary for him to play did not get finalized in time for El Paso's game. Per Sanders, the utility man didn't suffer a setback, and the hope is that he'll be able to suit up Friday. For that to happen, he'll have to get full medical clearance, as required by MLB's protocols for concussions.

The Marlins will option Norby to Triple-A Jacksonville prior to Friday's game versus the Cardinals, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Norby has had a dismal June with a .194/.306/.290 slash line across 36 plate appearances. The utility fielder had been seeing a decrease in playing time, and now he will try to reset in Triple-A. A corresponding move is yet to be revealed.

Cronenworth (concussion) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso on Thursday.

Cronenworth has been on the concussion injured list since mid-April when he was struck in the chin by a pitch. With his symptoms finally abated, he's been cleared to test things out in a game setting. The length of Cronenworth's rehab assignment could depend on how he looks and feels, but since he's missed so much time, he'll likely need several games to knock off the rust.

The Pirates placed Horwitz on the 10-day injured list Thursday due to a left hamstring strain.

Horwitz suffered the injury during Wednesday's win over the Mariners. The Pirates haven't provided word on the severity of the strain, making it difficult to forecast a timeline for Horwitz's return. Horwitz will be eligible for activation in early July, but with the All-Star break looming, the Pirates could proceed cautiously with the first baseman and keep him on the shelf until the start of the second half, even if his strain is mild.