MLB Player News

Casas went 3-for-5 with a run and two RBI in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Blue Jays.

Casas came into the contest mired in a prolonged slump during which he batted .098 (5-for-51) over 17 games. The first baseman showed some signs of progress against Toronto, producing his first three-hit game of the campaign and his first multi-hit effort since April 9. Casas has been losing playing time of late and is still slashing just .157/.297/.301 on the season, so he has some work to do to become a viable fantasy option.

Walker went 2-for-4 with two home runs, five RBI, three runs and a walk during Wednesday's 12-7 win over the Rangers.

Walker put Arizona on the board with a three-run blast during the third inning and followed up with a solo shot in the fifth. He also walked with the bases loaded in the seventh and came around to score. The 32-year-old clubbed just two home runs in his first 20 games of the season, but he's found his power stroke over the past nine contests, going 12-for-34 (.353 average) with five long balls, 14 RBI and nine runs.

Flores went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-2 victory over the Astros.

Flores, starting at DH against left-hander Framber Valdez, extended the Giants' lead to 4-2 in the top of the ninth with a solo homer off Bryan Abreu. It was the fifth home run of the season for Flores and his third in eight games. He's gotten off to a solid start at the plate, slashing .253/.303/.470 with 12 runs scored and 10 RBI through 83 plate appearances. However, it's hard to count on consistent production from Flores as he's fallen into a short-side platoon role with LaMonte Wade and Joc Pederson.

Pratto will start at first base and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

He'll pick up his fifth consecutive start Wednesday, and with the Royals optioning Franmil Reyes to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday, the team should have everyday spots available at first base and designated hitter for both Pratto and Vinnie Pasquantino for the foreseeable future. Of course, how long Pratto retains steady playing time will likely hinge on how he performs at the plate. Thus far, the 24-year-old has gone 7-for-21 with a 2:12 BB:K over his first six games with Kansas City this season.

Gurriel will start at first base and bat third in Wednesday's game against Atlanta, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 38-year-old will pick up his third start in four games, and he could be headed for regular playing time at first base in the short term after Garrett Cooper (ear) was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday. Even at his advanced age, Gurriel continues to make contact at a high rate, so he could make for a decent source of batting average while he's getting steady playing time. Fantasy managers shouldn't look to him for much power production, however.

Miami placed Cooper on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with an inner ear infection, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Cooper exited Sunday's win over the Cubs and didn't play in Tuesday's loss to Atlanta with what had been called an upset stomach, but he's evidently dealing with a different physical concern. It's not entirely clear whether he'll be ready to return from the IL when first eligible May 12. Yuli Gurriel will likely serve as the regular first baseman for the Marlins while Cooper is out.

Clemens is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

Before taking a seat for Tuesday's 13-1 loss, Clemens had started in three consecutive games at either first base or designated hitter, going 2-for-11 with a pair of home runs and a walk. With Bryce Harper (elbow) returning from the 10-day injured list Tuesday and set to serve as the Phillies' full-time designated hitter moving forward, Clemens doesn't look like he'll have a path to playing on a regular basis.

Wade is starting at first base and batting ninth Wednesday in Houston, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The Astros are throwing left-hander Framber Valdez, but Wade has earned an everyday lineup spot with the way he's swinging the bat. It's the eighth straight start for Wade, which includes two versus lefties over that span.

Mountcastle went 3-for-6 with two home runs, a double, five RBI and three runs scored in Tuesday's 11-7 win over the Royals.

Mountcastle kicked off the scoring for the Orioles with a two-run blast to left in the fourth. The 26-year-old now ranks fourth in the majors with 26 RBI and is tied for fourth with eight homers in 29 games thus far. Tuesday's performance raised his slash line to .256/.275/.504 as he's become a valuable fantasy first baseman in his third full-time season.

Freeman went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run, a double and two total runs scored in Tuesday's 13-1 win over the Phillies.

Freeman's blast was part of a five-run rally in the eighth inning that turned this contest into a true blowout. The first baseman has multiple hits in five of his last 10 games, going 15-for-43 (.349) over that span. He's up to a .309/.386/.496 slash line with five homers, 13 RBI, 24 runs scored, four stolen bases and seven doubles through 31 contests.