MLB Player News

Mountcastle is being evaluated for a concussion following his removal from Friday's game against the Rays, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Mountcastle took a hard tag to the side of the head while attempting to steal second base in the first inning Friday. Although he initially stayed in the game, the 24-year-old was removed in the third inning under the league's concussion protocols. If team doctors confirm a concussion, Mountcastle will need to pass several tests before he's cleared to return.

Mountcastle was removed from Friday's game against the Rays due to an apparent injury, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Mountcastle was shaken up while attempting to steal second base in the first inning, but he was initially able to remain in the game. However, he was replaced defensively in the top of the third inning after going 1-for-1 with an RBI. The nature and severity of the injury aren't yet clear.

France went 2-for-4 with a double in a loss to the Yankees on Thursday.

France continues to demonstrate consistency at the plate, now sporting a .293/.339/.466 slash line across his last 14 games following his fifth multi-hit effort in that sample. The 27-year-old has been a solid all-around fantasy contributor, and his modest 16.6 percent strikeout rate has helped keep him a consistent presence on the bases (.351 on-base percentage).

Manager Joe Girardi said that Hoskins is out of the starting lineup Friday against the Mets because he is once again dealing with groin soreness, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Hoskins missed four games with the groin issue before returning to the lineup Tuesday, and he didn't appear to be hampered by injury, going 5-for-13 with a homer and five RBI across the last three games. Girardi said the club is trying to have him available to pinch hit Friday, but it is yet to be seen if that will be the case. The first baseman can be considered day-to-day until further update is provided.

Gurriel was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with neck stiffness, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Gurriel missed the previous three games with the stiff neck, and now the club has determined the issue is severe enough to place the first baseman on the IL. The move is retroactive to Tuesday, so Gurriel will be eligible for activation Aug. 13 against the Angels, though it's not yet known if he could require additional time to recover. Jacob Wilson and Taylor Jones were recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land, with Robel Garcia being sent down in corresponding roster moves.

Hoskins is not in the starting lineup Friday against the Mets.

Hoskins missed four consecutive games due to a groin injury before returning to the lineup Tuesday. He'll retreat back to the bench Friday in what appears to be just a normal day off at this point.

Torkelson's last 23 games in Double-A have seen him go 16-for-75 (.213) with four homers, 13 RBI, 13 runs and a 17:24 BB:K.

Even in the midst of this slump, which has driven his batting average for Erie down to .241, Torkelson's pop and plate discipline have been readily apparent, which is why he still has a .369 OBP and .511 slugging percentage. It's likely that the 2020 draft's No. 1 pick has just been getting unlucky, as he owns a .250 BABIP in Double-A play. He remains one of the game's top prospects, but that subpar batting average may offer an intriguing buy-low opportunity in dynasty formats.

Abreu went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Royals.

Abreu was the only player to get an extra-base hit off Daniel Lynch, homering in the first inning. In addition, he added a single in the sixth frame. It is the third time he has homered in back-to-back games this season. The 34-year-old is slashing .245/.333/.461 with 20 homers, 82 RBI and 53 runs scored in 435 plate appearances. His 82 RBI are tied for second-most in all of baseball.

Votto went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Thursday's 7-4 win over the Pirates.

Votto slammed a three-run homer in the second inning off Wil Crowe, extending the early lead to seven runs. He has reached base safely in 27 of his last 28 games. During that stretch, he is batting .320 with 12 home runs and 30 RBI. On the season, the 37-year-old is slashing .273/.367/.556 with 22 long balls, 64 RBI and 42 runs in 330 plate appearances.

Bell went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run in Thursday's loss to Philadelphia.

Bell hammered an Aaron Nola offering over the center-field wall to give the Nationals a 5-2 lead in the fifth inning. It was the 19th homer of the year for Bell, who also produced a pair of singles, and his seventh long ball since the All-Star break. The 28-year-old Bell is slashing .251/.310/.480 with 60 RBI in 348 plate appearances this season.