MLB Player News

Manager Mark Kotsay said Tuesday that Alexander is a candidate to fill in at first base while Nick Kurtz (hip) is on the injured list, Steve Schaeffer of MLB.com reports.

Before being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, Alexander had been slashing .252/.350/.516 with 10 homers and 32 RBI across 180 plate appearances in the minors. Since joining the big club, the 28-year-old has gone 2-for-6 in three games and drew the start at first base during Tuesday's 11-1 loss against Houston. Kotsay also mentioned Logan Davidson as an option to fill in for Kurtz at first base, so Alexander may not have sole possession of the starting job, but that could change if his minor-league numbers translate nicely in the bigs.

Harper was diagnosed with a bruised right elbow following his exit from Tuesday's game against Atlanta, Paul Casella of MLB.com reports.

Harper left in the first inning of Tuesday's game after being hit in the right elbow on a pitch from Spencer Strider. The good news for Harper is that X-rays came back negative, but it's unclear if he'll be available for the final two games of the series against Atlanta. Alec Bohm could see some starts at first base if Harper were to be sidelined due to his elbow injury.

Harper left in the first inning of Tuesday's game against Atlanta due to an elbow injury, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.

Harper was drilled in the right elbow on a pitch from Spencer Strider. Harper was pulled from the game after being attended to by a trainer, with Edmundo Sosa coming in to pinch run. An update on Harper's injury should be provided during or shortly after Tuesday's contest.

Schmitt is starting at first base and batting seventh Tuesday against righty Jack Flaherty and the Tigers.

Schmitt typically starts only against lefties, but he's getting his second start of the season against a righty with LaMonte Wade struggling mightily at the plate. Schmitt is 3-for-7 with three walks in three games since getting activated from the injured list May 19.

Wade is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Tigers.

Wade typically sits against lefties, but he's out of the mix in this one with righty Jack Flaherty pitching for Detroit. Wade is hitting .211 with a .297 OBP and zero home runs in 20 games this month. Casey Schmitt is starting at first base and batting seventh.

Santana (leg) is starting at first base and batting fifth Tuesday versus the Dodgers.

The veteran first baseman sat out the past two games due to left leg tightness but will rejoin the starting nine Tuesday against Los Angeles righty Dustin May. Santana is in the midst of a modest six-game hit streak, and he's gone 8-for-21 with five walks, two doubles, two homers, six RBI and six runs during that span.

The Athletics placed Kurtz on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to May 25, due to a strained left hip flexor.

The 22-year-old suffered the injury during Saturday's game against the Angels and will spend at least the next week on the shelf. Logan Davidson was called up by the A's late last week and could see more action at first base while Kurtz is sidelined.

Encarnacion-Strand (back) served as the designated hitter and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored for Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

Encarnacion-Strand's rehab assignment shifted from the Arizona Complex League to Louisville, and this was his third appearance overall. He played first base in both games while in the ACL. The Bats were off Monday, and Encarnacion-Strand is expected to play Tuesday against Toledo. He's up to 11 plate appearances on the assignment, and the organization may want to see him push that to 20 or so after having missed nearly six weeks.

Aranda went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and an additional run scored in Monday's 7-2 victory against the Twins.

Aranda ended what had been a scoreless tie with his three-run shot off reliever Brock Stewart in the sixth inning. The long ball gave the first baseman seven on the campaign, establishing a new career-high mark. Not coincidentally, Aranda has also already played in an MLB career-high 48 games, as he's managed to stay healthy while establishing a stranglehold on first-base duties for Tampa Bay. He's been able to earn a spot in the heart of the Rays' lineup with a .302/.381/.491 slash line on the campaign.

Naylor went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Monday's 5-0 win over the Pirates.

Naylor hit safely for the fifth game in a row, and this was his third straight contest with an extra-base hit. The first baseman went deep in the fifth inning for the final scoring play of the game. Naylor is slashing .287/.348/.450 with six homers, 33 RBI, 27 runs scored, eight stolen bases, 13 doubles and a triple over 53 contests this season, featuring in a near-everyday role.