MLB Player News

Murakami went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in Monday's 3-1 win over the Twins.

Murakami jumped a first-pitch 97 mph fastball from Zebby Matthews in the first innings and sent it over the wall in right field to snap a seven-game home run drought. It was Murakami's 18th homer of the year and his sixth this month after launching nine long balls in April. Murakami is slashing .235/.374/.540 with the 18 homers, 37 RBI, 37 runs scored and a 41:76 BB:K across 230 trips to the plate this season. The 26-year-old is in the 97th percentile or better in average exit velocity (93.9 mph), barrel rate (20.2 percent), hard-hit rate (57.8 percent) and walk rate (18.1 percent), while he's in just the third percentile in strikeout rate (33.2 percent).

Rumfield left Monday's game against the Dodgers after being hit by a pitch on his right hand, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Rumfield was struck by a 97 mph fastball in the top of the first inning and was immediately pulled from the game. He'll presumably be sent for imaging to determine the extent of the injury.

Aranda went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double, a walk and an additional RBI in Monday's 9-7 extra-innings loss to the Orioles.

Aranda snapped a 10-game homerless drought Monday, but he does have at least one extra-base hit in three of his past four contests. The first baseman has hit safely in 15 of his 21 outings during the month of May, adding to a strong campaign at the plate. Through 222 plate appearances, Aranda is slashing .268/.369/.464 with nine homers, nine doubles, 40 RBI and 29 runs scored.

Norby (elbow) is not in the lineup for Monday's contest in Toronto.

Norby had to be lifted from Sunday's game versus the Mets after being hit in the left elbow by a pitch. He is considered day-to-day. With Norby resting, Esteury Ruiz will draw a start for the Marlins in Monday's series opener.

Busch went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 2-1 loss to the Pirates.

Busch homered for the second straight day but got no support around him as the Cubs dropped their ninth straight contest. The first baseman had been struggling recently too with a .176 batting average in his last 10 games before Sunday, but he's bounced back by going 3-for-8 with those two long balls over the last two days. On the season, Busch now has six home runs and 30 RBI in 53 games.

Guerrero (elbow) is absent from the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins.

Guerrero was pulled from Sunday's contest versus the Pirates after being struck on the inside of the right elbow by a pitch. X-rays came back negative, but Guerrero will receive at least one day of out of the lineup to recuperate. Per Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca, Vlad Jr. could be available off the bench, seemingly giving him a good chance to return to the lineup Tuesday. Lenyn Sosa is handling first base and batting ninth for the Blue Jays in Monday's series opener.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that Young (knee) will likely be activated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

Young has been shelved since mid-April following surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee, but he's done with his rehab assignment after going 5-for-22 in six games. Once activated, the left-handed hitter could see some starts against righties between first base, designated hitter and the corner outfield spots.

Sheets is absent from the lineup for Monday's game versus the Phillies.

The lefty-swinging Sheets has been seeing playing time versus lefty hurlers lately as he swings a hot bat, but he will begin Monday's series opener on the bench. Ty France is at first base and hitting seventh for the Padres.

Vargas is not in the lineup for Monday's game in San Francisco.

Vargas is in the middle of a mini slump, having gone hitless over his last five contests. Jose Fernandez will grab a start at first base while Vargas regroups.

Bauers is absent from the lineup for Monday's game versus the Cardinals.

The lefty-swinging Bauers will often play against lefty hurlers, but he'll begin Monday's series opener on the bench as St. Louis goes with southpaw Matthew Liberatore on the bump. Andrew Vaughn will occupy first base and Jackson Chourio will be in left field for the Brewers.