MLB Player News

Manager Will Venable said after Friday's win over the Tigers that Murakami (hamstring) could be sidelined for a couple of weeks, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Murakami tweaked his hamstring while running to first base in the third inning, and although the Sox have yet to receive any imaging results, they seem to be working under the assumption that he'll have to spend time on the IL with a strain. Miguel Vargas could move over to first base while Murakami is sidelined, which could open up more playing time for Luisangel Acuna or Jacob Gonzalez, who is expected to come up from Triple-A Charlotte once Murakami officially lands on the IL.

Alonso went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during the Orioles' 6-5 loss to the Blue Jays on Friday.

Alonso extended the Orioles' lead to 4-0 in the fifth inning, when he took Austin Voth deep to right-center field for a 403-foot solo home run. Alonso is up to 11 home runs on the season, which is tied for 14th most in the American League and second on the Orioles behind Gunnar Henderson (13). Since May 1, Alonso has slashed .269/.322/.519 with one steal, seven home runs, 21 RBI and 15 runs scored over 115 plate appearances.

Guerrero went 2-for-4 with a two-run double and a run scored during the Blue Jays' 6-5 win over the Orioles on Friday.

Guerrero gave the Blue Jays the lead for good in the eighth inning, when his double off Yennier Cano brought both George Springer and Ernie Clement home. Guerrero has logged two hits in three of his last five games and has reached base safely in each of his last 11 appearances. Over that span, he has gone 12-for-34 (.353) with two steals, one home run, five RBI and eight runs scored while drawing eight walks.

Murakami was removed from Friday's game against the Tigers with right hamstring tightness.

Murakami got hurt while running to first base to try to beat out a double play. He's slated to undergo further evaluation to determine the severity of his injury, after which more will be known about how much time, if any, he'll have to miss.

Polanco (Achilles) will play two more rehab games and could be activated from the 10-day injured list some time next week on the Mets' road trip, Andrew Tredinnick of The Bergen Record reports.

Polanco has played one rehab game with Double-A Binghamton to this point, going 1-for-2 with a single and a strikeout. He's been out since mid-April with a right wrist contusion and left Achilles bursitis, and it's the latter injury that's lengthened his recovery. When he does return from the IL, Polanco will be used primarily at designated hitter.

Ortiz has hit safely in seven straight games for Triple-A Rochester, batting .333 (10-for-30) with seven home runs and 20 RBI during that stretch.

The 24-year-old first baseman is decimating the International League to close out May as he turns things around following a sluggish start to the season. At the end of April, Ortiz carried a .231/.375/.352 slash line with just one homer in 27 games. If he keeps swinging a hot bat, he could slug his way into the Nationals' 1B/DH picture over the summer.

Morel could be released if he doesn't begin hitting soon, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

Signed to a modest one-year contract this offseason and asked to transition from the outfield to first base, Morel had his campaign put on pause by an Opening Day oblique strain, but the 26-year-old has contributed very little since coming off the IL in late April. Over 63 plate appearances this season, Morel is slashing .169/.222/.220 with zero homers and a 3:23 BB:K. Clearing him off the roster would potentially open up a spot for top prospect Kemp Alderman (wrist), who has been getting work at first base at Triple-A Jacksonville -- although it was a collision at first base while playing defense that led to his current wrist injury. In the meantime, Connor Norby and Liam Hicks will be the primary options at 1B for Miami while Morel tries to find his swing.

Walker isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Walker will take a seat on the bench to begin Thursday's series finale after going 1-for-12 with a three-run homer and an additional run scored over the first three games of the series. His absence will cause Isaac Paredes to shift to first base, giving Braden Shewmake a start at third and Brice Matthews a start at second.

Rice went 2-for-4 with a triple and three RBI in a 7-0 win against the Royals on Wednesday.

Rice opened the scoring with an RBI triple -- his first three-bagger of the season -- in the fourth inning. The slugger added a two-run single in the seventh. With his three RBI, Rice pushed his total to 37 on the campaign, tied for fifth most in the AL. He's added 16 homers, 11 doubles, 40 runs, two steals and an excellent .290/.383/.623 slash line.

An MRI on Schanuel's left ankle revealed tendinitis, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Schanuel's ankle has been bothering him off and on since early April, but it flared up on him recently, leading to a trip to the 10-day injured list. The first baseman isn't sure at this point how long he might be sidelined, but it appears likely to be longer than a minimum absence. Vaughn Grissom is filling in at first base for the Angels while Schanuel recovers.