MLB Player News

Alonso is not starting Sunday's game at Pittsburgh, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Alonso started the last 12 contests but could use a day off with a .661 OPS during that stretch, including five consecutive games with multiple strikeouts. Todd Frazier slides over to first base Sunday while Adeiny Hechavarria receives the start at the hot corner.

Freeman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

Freeman will take a seat Sunday for the first time since May 12, a stretch of 71 straight starts in which he posted a .963 OPS with 17 doubles, 19 homers and 63 RBI. It's only his second time on the bench all season. Austin Riley will enter the lineup at first base in his absence.

The Rangers released Cabrera on Saturday.

After the Rangers designated Cabrera for assignment Wednesday, no team was willing to put in a waiver claim for the 33-year-old and take on the money remaining on his one-year, $3.5 million deal. Since he has more than five years of big-league service time, Cabrera was able to refuse a minor-league assignment, prompting the Rangers to cut ties and allow him to explore his options elsewhere. After delivering a pedestrian .235/.318/.393 slash line (81 wRC+) as an everyday player for the Rangers this season, Cabrera will likely have to settle for a reserve role in the infield at his next landing spot.

Santana went 1-for-2 with a home run and two walks in a 7-2 victory over the Angels on Saturday.

The 33-year-old is only 4-for-19 in his last six games, but three of those hits are homers, and he has nine RBI during the same stretch. Santana has seen his average drop since the All-Star break, but his on-base percentage still sits at .401. He's batting .279 with 24 home runs, 63 RBI, 73 runs and four steals in 384 at-bats this season.

Cron went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer in an 11-3 victory over the Royals on Saturday.

The 29-year-old returned from the injured list (thumb) Saturday and posted his first multi-hit game since July 16. If he heats up, Cron could still reach the 30-homer plateau, which he accomplished for the first time last season. Cron is batting .269 with 19 home runs, 57 RBI and 38 runs in 324 at-bats this year.

Diaz (foot) ran on the treadmill for the first time since landing on the injured list Saturday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Diaz has been out since fouling a ball off his foot July 22. He's reportedly still feeling some discomfort, so his return doesn't appear imminent, but he's trending in the right direction. Matt Duffy has emerged as the everyday third baseman in Diaz's absence, though Diaz can also play first base or serve as the designated hitter.

Cron (thumb) was activated Saturday to start at first base and hit seventh against the Royals.

Miguel Sano will slide over to third base as Eddie Rosario will take a seat against left-hander Danny Duffy. Cron returns after slashing a disappointing .188/.235/.406 in only eight July starts due to his lingering thumb injury. The right-handed first baseman owns a dominant 1.055 OPS against left-handed pitching.

Dalbec was promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday.

The 24-year-old third baseman hit .234/.371/.454 with 20 home runs and a 110:68 K:BB in 439 plate appearances with Double-A Portland. While he will probably never hit for a high average, his power, walk rate and quality defense give him a chance to be a regular at some point next year for Boston. He'll slot into the No. 6 spot in the PawSox lineup.

Cooper (hamstring) will serve as the designated hitter Saturday in Tampa Bay.

Cooper sat for the last two games with a hamstring issue, though he appeared off the bench in both contests. He's apparently not yet ready to take the field but will bat fifth as the DH on Saturday.

Cron (thumb) ended his rehab stint after Friday's rookie Gulf Coast League game and flew to Minnesota, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "His thumb and hand are feeling good," manager Rocco Baldelli said.

It sounds like Cron will be activated from the injured list before Saturday's game, but the Twins have not announced a roster move yet. Cron was 1-for-8 in two rehab games between the GCL and High-A Fort Myers.