MLB Player News
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Enmanuel Valdez 2B | PIT
Pirates' Enmanuel Valdez: Out with shoulder issue
The Pirates placed Valdez on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to May 8, due to left shoulder inflammation, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
It's unclear when exactly the injury first surfaced for Valdez, but he's gone 2-for-13 across his past four contests. The Pirates are now down another option at first base, with Valdez joining Spencer Horwitz (wrist) and Endy Rodriguez (finger) on the shelf. Ji Hwan Bae was called up by Pittsburgh in a corresponding move, though it's likely to be Matt Gorski that sees a bump in playing time.
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Matt Mervis 1B | MIA
Marlins' Matt Mervis: Not in Marlins' lineup
Mervis is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the White Sox.
It's right-hander Bryse Wilson on the bump for the White Sox, but the left-handed-hitting Mervis will nonetheless begin the festivities on the bench. It's the first time this season that Mervis -- who is 1-for-14 with 10 strikeouts in May -- is not in the lineup versus a righty. Liam Hicks is in the designated hitter spot for Miami.
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Enmanuel Valdez 2B | PIT
Pirates' Enmanuel Valdez: Out against right-hander
Valdez is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against Atlanta.
Valdez had started each of the previous 18 games at first base against right-handed pitching, but he will begin this one on the bench as Atlanta sends righty Bryce Elder to the hill. Matt Gorski will play first base and bat sixth for the Pirates.
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Tim Elko 1B | CHW
White Sox's Tim Elko: Mashing at Triple-A
Elko is slashing .348/.431/.670 with 10 home runs and a 28.5 percent strikeout rate in 31 games for Triple-A Charlotte.
Elko is a righty-hitting first baseman who is already 26, so it's possible he's just a Quad-A hitter when it's all said and done. His 27.6 percent hard-hit rate and 67 percent contact rate aren't great marks, especially for an older first baseman. Elko is not yet on Chicago's 40-man roster.
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Romy Gonzalez 2B | BOS
Red Sox's Romy Gonzalez: Weekend return possible
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Gonzalez (back) is still sore but believes the infielder will be ready at some point this weekend, MLB.com reports.
Gonzalez was held out of Thursday's series finale against Rangers after sustaining a back injury Wednesday when he ran into Texas first baseman Josh Smith. Abraham Toro started at first base for the Red Sox on Thursday.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B | TOR
Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero: Extends hitting streak to 10 games
Guerrero went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a walk in Thursday's win over the Angels.
Guerrero extended his hitting streak to 10 games and delivered his third multi-hit effort during the streak. The All-Star first baseman is batting sizzling .359 (14-for-39) with two homers, one double, six RBI and nine runs scored in those 10 contests. Although Guerrero has just four round trippers over 139 at-bats this season, his top-tier 54.2 percent hard-hit rate entering Thursday's action suggests some positive regression could be on the horizon in the power department.
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Spencer Torkelson 1B | DET
Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: Big performance in doubleheader
Torkelson went 5-for-9 with two doubles, four RBI and two runs scored as the Tigers swept Thursday's doubleheader versus the Rockies.
Torkelson hadn't put together a multi-hit effort since April 17, but he took advantage of the Rockies' lackluster pitching in the twin bill. Over seven games in May, the first baseman has gone 9-for-30 (.300) with five extra-base hits and eight RBI. He's up to a .254/.356/.551 slash line with 10 homers, 11 doubles, 32 RBI, 28 runs scored and a stolen base over 38 games this season. Torkelson's performance took a step back in 2024, but he could have a breakout year in his fourth major-league season.
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Romy Gonzalez 2B | BOS
Red Sox's Romy Gonzalez: Sitting due to stiff back
Gonzalez (back) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Gonzalez has been serving as Boston's primary option at first base since Triston Casas suffered a ruptured patella tendon Friday, but the former was forced out of Wednesday's 6-4 win due to back stiffness and will need at least one game off to recover. Abraham Toro will step in at first base in Thursday's series finale.
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Carlos Santana 1B | CHC
Guardians' Carlos Santana: Drives in three in win
Santana went 1-for-5 with a double, three RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 8-6 win over the Nationals.
The Guardians were held in check for the first five innings, but they eventually solved Washington starter Michael Soroka the third time through the lineup. Cleveland scored all eight of its runs in the sixth inning, when Santana kicked off the scoring with a three-run double. It was the second straight game with three RBI for Santana, who has driven home nine over the last six contests.