MLB Player News

Contreras received a seven-game suspension Thursday for his actions during and following Tuesday's benches-clearing incident against the Nationals, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

The benches-clearing incident Tuesday was sparked after Cade Cavalli struck out Contreras, which led to Contreras being ejected. Along with the first baseman, Nate Eaton was also suspended for three games. On the Nationals' side, Cavalli received a seven-game suspension and Miles Mikolas a five-game ban. Unless Contreras appeals the suspension, he won't be able to play until July 11.

Manager Will Venable said Monday that Murakami (hamstring) traveled with the team for its road trip and is considered day-to-day, but the White Sox haven't yet established a timeline for the first baseman to begin a rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

Per Chuck Garfien of Chicago Sports Network, Venable said last Friday that Murakami was sprinting at about "85 percent," and the 26-year-old rookie has presumably increased the intensity of his running in the week since then. Assuming Murakami does in fact require a rehab assignment prior to being activated, he likely won't be available for the White Sox until at least next week. Jacob Gonzalez has been filling in as Chicago's primary first baseman since Murakami was placed on the 10-day injured list May 30 after straining his right hamstring.

Atlanta designated Tellez for assignment Thursday.

Tellez was with the big club for three weeks but received only one start and 11 plate appearances, going 2-for-10 with a home run. He's likely to pass through waivers and would have the ability to elect free agency at that point.

Smith went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Giants.

Smith's run-scoring single was the first salvo in Arizona's attempted comeback in the bottom of the eighth inning, when the club scored its four runs. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo continues to show patience with the slumping first baseman, who entered the game on a 1-for-23 (.043) skid, by running him out there when the team faces right-handers. Smith is slashing .152/.260/.212 with one home run and six RBI since coming off a lengthy stay on the injured list in late May.

Freeman went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, a stolen base and a walk in Wednesday's 7-1 loss to the Athletics.

Freeman put the Dodgers on the board with his third-inning solo shot, but that was the extent of their scoring. The first baseman has hit well lately, but it was his first homer in eight games despite six multi-hit efforts in that span. For the season, Freeman is batting .294 with an .887 OPS, 14 homers, three steals, 47 RBI, 50 runs scored, 22 doubles and a triple over 84 contests.

Clemens went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run during Wednesday's 8-3 win against the Astros.

Clemens delivered what ended up being the game-deciding runs when he clubbed his 14th homer of the season during the second inning. The super-utility man got his sixth straight start at second base and continues to be utilized all across the diamond with 48 appearances at first base and 29 in the outfield so far this year.

Walker was removed from Wednesday's game against the Twins with lower-back stiffness, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Walker went 0-for-2 with a pair of strikeouts before being replaced by a pinch hitter in the sixth inning. He'll get an extra day to rest up before the Astros begin their next series Friday against the Rays, but if he's unable to play in the opener, Isaac Paredes would likely be next in line to start at first base, creating an opportunity at third for Brice Matthews.

Chaparro went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 10-2 win over the Red Sox.

Getting the start at first base and batting third against left-hander Payton Tolle, Chaparro gave the Nationals a quick lead when he launched a 95.3-mph fastball over the Green Monster in the first inning. It was his first long ball of the season, but even with that showing, he was replaced by pinch hitter Luis Garcia once Tolle was out of the game. Chaparro appears stuck in a short-side platoon role, and through 26 big-league games this season, he's slashing just .170/.328/.298.

Goldschmidt is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

The Yankees will go with Ben Rice at first base and Amed Rosario at designated hitter in the series finale, leaving no room in the starting nine for Goldschmidt. Though he's been productive on the whole during his age-38 season with an .867 OPS, Goldschmidt has gone 0-for-16 with one walk over the Yankees' last five games.

Pasquantino (hand) will continue his rehab in Arizona to begin July with the hope of embarking on a rehab assignment before the All-Star break, MLB.com reports.

Pasquantino hit the injured list June 14 and underwent surgery to remove a fractured hamate bone in his right hand, with an initial recovery timeline of 4-to-6 weeks. Based on that timetable and recent indications, the first baseman isn't expected to rejoin the Royals before the All-Star break, though a minor-league rehab assignment before the break seems to be the tentative plan. Pasquantino is hitting .224/.309/.350 with six homers, 32 RBI, 28 runs and three stolen bases across 68 games this season.