MLB Player News

Manzardo went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, a double, an additional RBI and additional run scored in a 10-6 loss to the Twins on Wednesday.

Manzardo has started just two of the past five games -- sitting twice against left-handed pitchers and once against a righty -- but he launched his first home run of July on Wednesday and also produced his first multi-hit game since June 20. The 26-year-old is batting .151 (8-for-53) with a 5:18 BB:K in July, dropping his season-long OPS to .675 through 93 games.

Encarnacion-Strand went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in a 6-3 loss to the Red Sox during Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Encarnacion-Strand has made an immediate impact since being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk, going 6-for-16 with two home runs and four RBI over four games for the Orioles thus far. With Blaze Alexander (hand) and Samuel Basallo (shoulder) both on the injured list, the door is open for Encarnacion-Strand to claim a steady role either at third base or designated hitter if he continues to wield a hot bat.

Torkelson went 2-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run and two additional runs scored in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Cubs.

Torkelson hit his 19th home run of the season in the second inning against Chicago starter Colin Rea. The slugging first baseman has now gone deep five times across his last 11 games as he continues to find his power stroke following a slow start to the season. Torkelson is seeking his second straight 30-homer campaign and third overall in his MLB career.

Freeman went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a walk, two runs scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's 9-5 win over the Phillies.

Freeman grounded out in the first inning before reaching base in his final four plate appearances. Despite hitting a solid .270 through 17 July games, it was the 36-year-old's first three-hit effort since June 27, and his fourth-inning double was his first extra-base hit in nine games. For the season, he's slashing .289/.373/.480 with 15 homers, 51 RBI, 54 runs scored and four steals across 434 plate appearances.

Sheets is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game in Atlanta.

The left-handed-hitting Sheets will hit the bench while Atlanta sends southpaw Martin Perez to the bump. Jase Bowen will spell Sheets in left field and will bat ninth.

Hoskins is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Twins, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Hoskins slugged a pair of solo home runs in Monday's 13-4 win, but he couldn't keep the momentum going Tuesday, as he went 0-for-2 at the dish in the Guardians' 5-2 victory. He'll head to the bench for the series finale, but Hoskins should still have a path to a semi-regular role until the Guardians bring Angel Martinez (foot) back from the injured list.

Steer (rib) will start in right field and bat cleanup in Wednesday's game against the Mariners.

After being lifted late in Monday's 8-0 loss due to a rib contusion, Steer was held out of the starting nine for Tuesday's 4-2 win. He went unused off the bench but was reportedly available after checking out fine when he took pregame swings, per MLB.com. Following the full day of rest, Steer is ready to step back into the starting nine for the finale, covering right field while Noelvi Marte heads back to the bench.

Reds manager Terry Francona said that Steer (ribs) is expected to be OK and was slated to hit in the batting cage pregame Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Steer was unable to play Tuesday in Seattle after being hit by a pitch in the ribs during Monday's contest. He appears to have avoided a serious injury, however, and should be considered day-to-day. While Steer could play Wednesday, a looming team off day Thursday might convince the club to hold the 28-year-old out until Friday.

Goldschmidt is absent from the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Pirates.

Ben Rice will handle first base, and Spencer Jones will grab a start at designated hitter. Goldschmidt will likely be back in the lineup for the second game of the twin bill.

Vargas started at second base and went 1-for-4 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 6-5 extra-inning victory over the Athletics.

Vargas supplied the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 10th inning, when his bases-loaded singled completed the walk-off win. In addition to sharing first base with Tim Tawa and Tyler Locklear, Vargas has also stepped in at second base -- Tuesday's start at the keystone was his third in the last six contests. That deployment reduces the stress on Ketel Marte -- no stranger to overuse injuries -- who operated as the designated hitter in those three games. Vargas, who has cooled off signficantly from his hot April, is batting .268 (11-for-41) with two doubles, one triple, four RBI, one steal and three runs scored over 13 games in July.