MLB Player News

Mountcastle isn't starting Friday against the Royals, Cordell Woodland of 105.7 The Fan Baltimore reports.

Mountcastle has been in a cold spell at the plate recently, slashing .133/.188/.133 across the past seven days. His slump will cost him a start for the second time in the last three games, as Anthony Santander will take over at first base for Mountcastle. Ryan McKenna will start in right field and bat ninth.

Ellis is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Dodgers.

Ellis will remain on the bench for a second consecutive game, both of which came against left-handed starters -- a troubling sign for his playing time. Edmundo Sosa will draw the start at the hot corner while Kody Clemens handles first base in the series opener with Los Angeles.

Diaz (hip) is back in the Rays' lineup for Friday's game against the Rangers.

Diaz didn't start the last two contests while dealing with a minor hip issue, but he's ready to roll for the first game of a series featuring two first-place clubs. He'll be at first base and hitting leadoff versus Andrew Heaney.

Kirilloff is not in the lineup for Friday's contest in Toronto.

The Blue Jays are starting lefty Yusei Kikuchi, so Kirilloff will begin this one on the bench. Donovan Solano is at first base and batting leadoff.

Alonso (wrist) will be placed on the injured list, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

The Mets had been waiting on the results of imaging on the slugger's left wrist after he was hit by a pitch Wednesday, and evidently they received bad news. Until an official diagnosis is announced, how long Alonso might be out is unclear. Mark Vientos could take over as the Mets' regular first baseman while Alonso is sidelined.

Casas went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's loss to the Guardians.

Casas now has two multi-hit games over his last three contests. The young first baseman has had a rough start to 2023 after a difficult rookie campaign, slashing just .201/.322/.385 through 202 plate appearances with seven homers and 18 RBI, but he is batting .262 (11-for-42) over his last 12 contests with six extra-base hits.

Clemens went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Thursday's 3-2 victory over the Tigers.

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Clemens lined a base hit off Alex Lange to give the Phillies a walk-off win. The 27-year-old Clemens has filled in nicely at first base for Alec Bohm (hamstring), going 15-for-46 (.326) over his last 14 games. He's now slashing .267/.320/.433 with four homers, 13 runs scored and 11 RBI through 97 plate appearances.

Vaughn isn't in the White Sox's lineup for Game 2 of their doubleheader against the Yankees.

After going 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in Game 1, Vaughn will get a breather during the second game. Jake Burger will fill in at first base and bat sixth.

Mervis isn't in the Cubs' lineup Thursday against the Angels.

With the left-handed Reid Detmers set to start the game on the mound for Los Angeles, Mervis will retreat to the dugout. Trey Mancini will fill in at first base and bat seventh.

Mets manager Buck Showalter said Alonso underwent both a CT scan and MRI on his left wrist Thursday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Alonso had the CT scan in Atlanta on Thursday morning after taking a pitch off his wrist Wednesday, and he then flew back to New York in the afternoon to undergo the MRI. Showalter added that he's hopeful the power-hitting first baseman will be ready to play in Friday's series opener at Pittsburgh, but the results of the scans are not yet available.