MLB Player News

France went 3-for-4 with two home runs, a double and five RBI in Friday's 9-7 loss to the Rangers.

France had Jacob deGrom's number, launching a grand slam in the first inning before adding a game-tying solo shot in the fourth. It was an unexpected effort from the 31-year-old, who entered the contest just 5-for-38 in June and without a homer since May 29. On the year, he's slashing .259/.306/.490 with eight long balls, 24 RBI, 17 runs scored and a stolen base across 158 plate appearances.

Bauers is not in the lineup for Friday's game in Atlanta.

The left-handed-hitting Bauers doesn't always sit versus lefty hurlers, but he will begin this one on the bench as Atlanta goes with southpaw Martin Perez. Blake Perkins will be in right field and Andrew Vaughn will cover first base in the series opener for the Brewers.

Mead is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest against the Rays.

Mead will begin Friday's series opener on the bench after starting the last three and six of the past seven tilts. Jorbit Vivas is covering third base and batting eighth for the Nationals.

Olson went 4-for-8 with a walk and a run scored across both games of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Giants.

All four knocks were singles, but it was still a productive twin bill for the first baseman. Olson extended his hitting streak to seven games in the process, and through 13 contests in June he's slashing .346/.375/.596 with a double, four home runs, six RBI and 11 runs.

Horwitz went 2-for-4 with two walks, two doubles, one RBI and three runs scored Wednesday against the A's.

Horwitz helped the Pirates jump out to an early lead with a double in each of his first two plate appearances, and he came around to score on each occasion. This marked a fourth multi-hit performance in his last 10 starts, during which he's hit .275 with two homers, six RBI and seven runs scored. Horwitz also continues to serve as Pittsburgh's primary leadoff hitter against righties.

Freeman went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Rays.

Freeman came up clutch with what proved to be a game-winning two-run shot in the sixth inning. The veteran slugger has gone deep twice in his past four games, tallying a hit in each of those contests. On the season, he's slashing .279/.368/.482 with 12 home runs, 40 RBI, 41 runs scored and two steals across 315 plate appearances.

Ward is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

The left-handed-hitting Ward will give way to platoon mate Alex Call while the Rays send southpaw Shane McClanahan to the bump for the series finale. While starting in each of the Dodgers' last four games, Ward went 3-for-9 with two doubles, two walks and one run.

France will start at first base and bat seventh Wednesday against the Cardinals.

France will end up covering first base for all three games of the series in St. Louis, after he went 1-for-6 with an RBI between Monday and Tuesday. He appears to have an edge over the likes of Sung-Mun Song, Jase Bowen and Nick Solak for the final spot in San Diego's everyday lineup, but France will likely be the top choice to move to the bench once the Padres get one of Jake Cronenworth (concussion) or Miguel Andujar (hamstring) back from the injured list.

Mead went 1-for-3 with a walk and a three-run home run in Tuesday's win over the Royals.

The 25-year-old infielder produced the game's deciding runs when he took Daniel Lynch deep in the seventh inning to break a 3-3 tie. Mead still isn't stringing together hits consistently, but over his last 20 games he's slashing .239/.325/.521 with six of his 11 long balls on the season, along with 12 runs and 17 RBI while emerging as the Nationals' starting third baseman.

Young is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.

With lefty Nick Lodolo on the bump for the Reds, the left-handed hitter will receive the afternoon off while Mark Vientos replaces him at first base. Young had started all but one of the Mets' 17 games dating back to May 29, slashing .203/.266/.441 with four home runs, eight RBI and seven runs during that period.