MLB Player News

Naylor was a late addition to the Padres' lineup Friday against the Cardinals, hitting fifth and manning left field.

Hunter Renfroe (illness) was a late scratch, and the Padres opted to give Naylor the nod over Wil Myers. Naylor has not been playing much and is hitting just .218 with two home runs in 55 at-bats this month.

Hiura was recalled by the Brewers on Friday.

Hiura spent most of the month of June with Triple-A San Antonio despite posting an .865 OPS over his first 17 big-league games, but with fellow infielder Travis Shaw failing to turn things around at the big-league level, the Brewers decided it was time for the two to swap spots. Hiura started all but one game when he was up earlier in the season, and with Shaw in the minors, he figures to play second base nearly every day for the Brewers moving forward.

Freeman went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in a loss to the Cubs on Thursday.

Freeman's homer, a 366-foot opposite-field line drive, came off Tyler Chatwood in the third inning. He had a chance for more heroics when he came to bat with the tying runs on base in the ninth inning, but his smash down the first base line was snagged by Anthony Rizzo and turned into an out. The All-Star first baseman is putting together one of his best seasons as a pro and is now up to 22 homers this season, only one behind his total last year. His season slash line sits at a robust .312/.396/.598.

The Brewers will promote Hiura from Triple-A San Antonio, Robert Murray of The Athletic reports.

Hiura has earned his second stint with the big-league club this season, after he racked up a .281/.333/.531 line across 69 plate appearances in Milwaukee earlier in the campaign. To make room for him on the 25-man roster, the Brewers optioned Travis Shaw to Triple-A San Antonio, which should clear the path for regular playing time at second base for Hiura.

Smith will start in left field and bat fifth Thursday against the Phillies, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Smith will be making his fourth consecutive start and looks poised to continue seeing regular action against right-handed pitching, at least while he's wielding a hot bat. The 24-year-old has contributed solo home runs in each of the past three contests and maintains a 1.044 OPS in 128 plate appearances this season. The Mets can live with his limitations in the outfield so long as he continues to rake.

Bell went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer against the Astros on Wednesday. He also scored three runs and drew a pair of walks.

The home run was Bell's third in June and 21st overall. He's hitting .222/.330/.457 for the month after slashing .390/.442/.797 with 12 homers in May. The first baseman continues to lead the majors with 28 doubles and 68 RBI. He's already surpassed his extra-base total from 2018 (47) with 52.

Toglia went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, an RBI, a walk and three runs for Low-A Boise on Wednesday.

Toglia had gone hitless since getting a knock in his professional debut last Friday, but he flashed some of the offensive prowess that led the Rockies to make him the No. 23 pick in the 2019 first-year player draft in this contest. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound switch-hitter slashed .314/.392/.624 with 17 homers and 65 RBI as a junior for UCLA last season.

Smith went 3-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored Thursday against the Phillies.

Smith took Nick Pivetta deep in the fourth inning to record his seventh home run of the season and third in as many games. He's thoroughly enjoyed facing the Phillies' pitching staff, collecting six hits while scoring five runs and driving in three across three games during the just-concluded series. Though he remains out of the lineup fairly regularly, Smith has made his case for more playing time by posting a .339/.438/.606 line across 128 plate appearances.

Solano went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run Tuesday in the Giants' 4-2 win over the Rockies.

Solano drew a second consecutive start in the middle infield, spelling a slumping Joe Panik at the keystone. Though he was able to extend his hitting streak to five games, Solano's dearth of power and speed, poor team context and lack of steady at-bats are all reasons that make it difficult to get excited about him for fantasy purposes. With Panik and everyday shortstop Brandon Crawford both in the lineup for Wednesday's series finale, Solano will resume his usual bench role.

Walker is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Walker will retreat to the bench for Wednesday's series finale, while Jake Lamb, who is back from a quadriceps injury, will start in his place. It remains to be seen how playing time will shake out with Lamb healthy, but Walker's .833 OPS should still help afford him plenty of opportunities.