MLB Player News

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard belted his 16th home run Sunday against the Diamondbacks. 

In his first at-bat, Howard homered on the first pitch he saw from Vidal Nuno. He crushed a 90 mph to left center for a two-run shot. He finished 1 for 3, with two runs scored and two RBI. 

Indians first baseman Carlos Santana reached base four times and became the first player to homer five times in a series this season, leading his team to a 10-3 win over the Royals in Kansas City.

Santana launched a pair of two-run home runs -- one in the fifth and then again in the ninth. He added a single and finished 3 for 3 with two runs scored and four RBI. He owns a .232/.371/.456 slash line with 20 homers and 50 RBI in 340 at-bats. He also leads the American League with 72 walks.

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera made it back into the starting lineup Sunday against the Royals after missing five games due to a back injury. Cabrera is batting .254 with one home run and six RBI in 17 July games.

Indians first baseman Carlos Santana went 2 for 4 with a walk, a double and a solo home run in his team's 7-5 loss to the Royals Saturday.

Santana has now collected three home runs in his last two games, and he's also 11 for 20 with four home runs and six RBI in his last five games. The hot streak gives him a .226/.363/.433 line with 18 home runs and 46 RBI in 337 at-bats.

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera was held out of the starting lineup Saturday against the Royals, as he continues to work his way back from a back injury. Cabrera left Monday's game and has not been able to play as a result of the injury. He is hitting .247/.308/.392 over 365 at-bats.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is back in the starting lineup Saturday against the Diamondbacks for the first time since Tuesday.

The Phillies have been giving Howard time off recently due to his struggles, and have discussed the possibility of using him in a platoon moving forward. 

Indians third baseman Carlos Santana hit two home runs Friday against the Royals. 

Santana struck twice against Yordano Ventura. In the fourth inning, Santana crushed a 97 mph fastball out to right center for a solo shot. He did one better in his next at-bat, belting a 100 mph fastball out to right for a two-run shot. He finished 2 for 3, with two runs scored and three RBI. 

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu hit his 30th home run Friday against the Twins.

Abreu got to work immediately, hitting a home run in his first at-bat. With two men on, Abreu crushed a hanging curveball out to center for a three-run shot. Abreu also singled and was hit by a pitch during the game. He finished 2 for 5, with two runs scored and three RBI. 

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told reporters that first baseman Ryan Howard still has a future with the club. This comes a day after CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reported that the Phillies were trying to deal Howard before the July 31 deadline.

"I fully expect him to be our first baseman next year," Amaro said. "I don't know where people are coming up with him not having a future with us. He's a very big part of our organization."

Though he was hoping to return in time for the start of this weekend's series against the Royals, Indians infielder Asdrubal Cabrera is out of the starting lineup for Friday's game. Cabrera has not played since Monday as a result of the injury.