MLB Player News

Naylor went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Athletics.

Naylor has hit safely in eight straight games, going 11-for-33 (.333) with three homers and eight RBI in that span. The first baseman is thriving in the cleanup spot, slashing .329/.400/.630 with six homers, 17 RBI, 13 runs scored and four doubles over 85 plate appearances, but he's also been caught stealing on both of his attempts this year. Naylor has trimmed his strikeouts rate to 11.8 percent and upped his walk rate to 9.9 percent. He's never hit more than 20 homers in a season, but he's also never exceeded 122 contests, so an everyday role seems to be in part helping his increased production.

France went 2-for-5 with a run in a win over the Rockies on Saturday, marking his sixth and seventh times on base within his last 10 plate appearances.

The hot stretch encompasses the last three games for France and began with a pinch-hit appearance in which he drew a walk against the Reds on Tuesday. The veteran infielder is sitting on an impressive .288 average and .348 on-base percentage, while his slugging percentage checks in at a much more modest .339 since he only has a trio of extra-base hits (all doubles) over 66 plate appearances. However, France is demonstrating improved discipline at the plate -- his 9.1 percent walk rate is a career high, while his 27.7 percent chase rate is significantly lower than the 37.8 percent figure he finished 2023 with.

The Cardinals recalled Pages from Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.

Pages was called up by St. Louis earlier in the season to provide depth at catcher with Willson Contreras battling a hand injury. Katie Woo of The Athletic notes that recalling Pages will allow the Cardinals to play both Contreras and Ivan Herrera at catcher and DH regularly. To make room for Pages, the Cardinals optioned outfielder Victor Scott to Triple-A Memphis.

Noda went 2-for-4 with a double and a solo home run in a loss to the Guardians on Saturday.

Noda authored the only multi-hit effort of the game for the Athletics, accomplishing the feat for the first time all season in the process. Noda's leadoff round tripper in the fifth inning was also his first time clearing the fences in 2024, and although his slash line still sits at a forgettable .190/.288/.293 through 67 plate appearances, he's now hit safely in three straight contests.

The Red Sox placed Casas on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a left rib strain, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

The 24-year-old exited Saturday's contest with rib discomfort and will now be sidelined for at least the rest of April after being diagnosed with a strain. According to Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican, manager Alex Cora responded "yes" when asked if he was concerned about a lengthy absence, but there should be more clarity on the situation after Casas visits with a specialist Sunday. Bobby Dalbec is the only other player with a start at first base this season and should have an expanded role while Casas is sidelined. Tyler Heineman was recalled from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move.

Vaughn is not in Sunday's starting lineup against the Phillies.

Over his last 10 appearances, Vaughn has slashed .135/.238/.216 with three doubles and one RBI while registering a 38.1 percent strikeout rate. Gavin Sheets will start at first base and bat in the cleanup spot against Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola.

Lowe went 0-for-3 with a walk and run scored in Saturday's 5-2 loss to Atlanta.

Lowe was activated off the injured list and made his season debut, batting fifth and playing first base. He should be the primary first baseman going forward against lefties or righties.

Tellez went 0-for-3 Saturday against the Red Sox.

Tellez went hitless for the fourth time in his last six starts and is hitting only .207 overall across 65 plate appearances for the season. To make matters worse, he has only one extra-base hit on the campaign, failing to provide pop in the middle of the Pittsburgh lineup. Already sitting against lefties, it's possible that Tellez also starts to sit against righties due to the solid start to the season for Connor Joe, plus the eventual return of Yasmani Grandal (foot).

Hoskins went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI during Saturday's 12-5 win against the Cardinals.

The 31-year-old first baseman started the scoring with a two-run homer during the opening frame and followed up with an RBI single in the sixth. Hoskins has reached base in each of his past 11 games, though he's hitting just .227 during that stretch. However, his .807 OPS through 18 games on the season is more palatable.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Casas is undergoing tests for a rib injury, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Cora noted that it's not an oblique injury which forced Casas from Saturday's game against the Pirates after just one plate appearance. However, the skipper admitted to having some concern about the first baseman, so it certainly seems as though the injury list is a possibility. The results of Casas' tests should be available later Saturday or Sunday.