MLB Player News

Soderstrom (wrist) went 1-for-3 as the designated hitter in Triple-A Las Vegas' win over Round Rock on Thursday, hitting a two-run home run.

Soderstrom was making his first rehab appearance and slugged the round tripper in his final plate appearance of the game in the sixth inning. It was the rookie's first taste of game action since July 9, and he'll need to see action on defense before his activation from the IL is considered.

Toglia went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, two runs scored and a stolen base Thursday against Atlanta.

Toglia has slumped considerably across his last 10 games, hitting just .171 while striking out at a 34.1 percent clip. However, he managed his 22nd home run of the season Thursday, six of which have come since the All-Star break. Toglia has also chipped in seven stolen bases across 370 plate appearances this season after recording only two across the first 272 plate appearances of his career.

Walker started at first base and went 1-for-4 in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Giants.

Walker returned to the starting lineup after a day off Wednesday. He was activated off the injured list Tuesday, and the Diamondbacks are easing him back to action after he missed five weeks with an oblique strain. Walker will eventually resume his role as the team's everyday first baseman. Josh Bell, who started in place of Walker on Wednesday, moved to designated hitter Thursday.

Chaparro went 1-for-4 with a home run and three RBI on Thursday against the Pirates.

Chaparro's two-run blast in the first was his third of the season and provided the Nationals with an early three-run cushion. He later was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the ninth to drive in his third run, though by that point the game was out of reach for the Nats. The rookie DH has a .233 average with eight doubles and 10 RBI since his call-up Aug. 13, while all three of his homers have come over the last eight games.

France went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's 1-0 win over the Astros.

France took Bryan Abreu deep in the seventh inning to plate the only run needed for the Reds to complete the sweep of the Astros. France hit his 12th home run of the year, matching last season's total in 37 fewer games. The 30-year-old went 9-for-11 in this Astros series, becoming the third player this season with multiple hits and an RBI in three straight games against Houston.

Kavadas is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Rangers.

It's lefty Cody Bradford on the bump for the Rangers, so the lefty-hitting Kavadas will begin the series opener on the bench. Brandon Drury will occupy the designated hitter slot.

Gallo isn't in the Nationals' lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Gallo will take a seat for Thursday's series opener after going 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Wednesday's loss to the Marlins. Juan Yepez will start at first base instead and bat third.

Harper (elbow) will start at first base and bat third Thursday against the Marlins.

Harper had to make an early exit from Wednesday's contest after getting hit in the elbow by a pitch, but his bruise won't be enough to prevent him from playing in Thursday's series opener. Over his last 10 games, the 31-year-old slugger has gone 13-for-34 with two RBI and four runs scored.

Encarnacion-Strand (wrist) has been cleared to begin baseball activities, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Encarnacion-Strand underwent surgery in mid-July to repair ligaments in his fractured right wrist. He has already been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season, but the 24-year-old will hope to have a normal offseason after getting the go-ahead to ramp things up this month.

Dezenzo went 1-for-4 with two RBI on Wednesday against the Reds.

Dezenzo drew only his second start against a right-handed pitcher in the team's last seven games. Despite coming through with a two-RBI single in the sixth inning, he's struggled through his first 55 plate appearances in the majors, striking out at a 32.7 percent clip while hitting only .212.