MLB Player News

O'Hearn was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Cordell Woodland of 105.7 The Fan Baltimore reports.

O'Hearn will head back to Triple-A after he spent a little over three weeks with the Orioles, going 5-for-19 with a double, six RBI and a run scored while appearing in nine games. With Luis Torrens being acquired from the Cubs on Wednesday, O'Hearn becomes the odd man out on the big-league roster.

The Cubs selected Mervis' contract from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

News broke Thursday of Mervis' impending promotion and the move is now official. The Cubs have received very little production from Eric Hosmer and Trey Mancini in the first base/designated hitter spots, so they've now turned to their top prospect in hopes that he can provide a boost. Mervis sports a .286/.402/.560 slash line with six home runs and a 19:18 K:BB over 24 games with Iowa this season. It'll be the 25-year-old's first stint in the big leagues. Mervis is starting at first base and batting seventh in his debut Friday versus the Marlins and manager David Ross confirmed that the rookie would be in the lineup regularly, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Guerrero went 2-for-5 with a home run, a double and two RBI in Thursday's 11-5 loss to the Red Sox.

Guerrero got the Blue Jays on the board with a fourth-inning solo shot and added an RBI double in the fifth. It's his second straight game with a homer and his third straight contest with multiple hits. The first baseman is up to a .320/.393/.539 slash line with seven long balls, 20 RBI, 23 runs scored, seven doubles and two stolen bases through 32 games this season.

Diaz went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double Thursday against the Pirates.

Diaz provided the Rays with the insurance run they would ultimately need to win with a solo home run in the eighth inning. He now has eight long balls on the season, only six away from his career high. Diaz has had an impressive start to the campaign overall, as Thursday's effort marked his ninth multi-hit performance in his last 15 starts. Overall, he has a .327/.432/.606 line across 125 plate appearances.

Santana went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI in Thursday's 3-2 loss against Tampa Bay.

Santana spearheaded the Pirates' ninth-inning rally, plating Tucupita Marcano and Bryan Reynolds with a double off Jason Adam to bring Pittsburgh to within a run. However, the first basemen would not advance past second base, as Connor Joe struck out to end any hopes of a Pirates victory. Santana is now up to 19 RBI on the season, despite only having two homers, and is tied for fourth in MLB with 11 doubles.

Olson went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Thursday's 6-3 win over Miami.

Olson gave Atlanta a bit more breathing room with his ninth-inning solo shot. He's hit safely in five of his last six games, going 5-for-23 with two homers, four RBI and eight runs scored in that span. He's up to nine long balls, 26 RBI, 27 runs and a .244/.363/.528 slash line through 32 contests overall. The first baseman is also striking out at a career-worst 34.9 percent rate.

The Cubs are expected to promote Mervis from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Mervis had a massive breakout season in the minors last year (.984 OPS, 36 home runs, 119 RBI in 137 games) as he ascended through three different levels of the Cubs' farm system, and he's backed it up out of the gate here in 2023 with a .962 OPS in 24 games at Triple-A Iowa. The 25-year-old should get everyday playing time between first base and designated hitter and offers high-level fantasy upside in the power department. Trey Mancini and Eric Hosmer could both be dinged on playing time with the arrival of Mervis, though that should be a good thing overall for Chicago's offense.

Pratto went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-0 win over the Orioles.

Pratto has produced three multi-hit efforts in five games since being recalled from Triple-A Omaha last week. The first baseman is 9-for-18 with two RBI, a run scored and a 2:8 BB:K over that span, which has been enough to earn him consistent playing time between first base and right field. He'll likely be at first regularly going forward since the Royals are opting to make MJ Melendez a full-time outfielder for a while. Vinnie Pasquantino has also seen more time at designated hitter since Pratto's recall.

Cronenworth went 2-for-3 with a run scored in Wednesday's 7-1 victory over Cincinnati.

Cronenworth has hit safely in five straight contests, going 8-for-22 over that stretch. Following a sluggish start to the season, the 29-year-old Cronenworth is now slashing .241/.315/.429 with three home runs, 14 RBI and 16 runs scored. While he can be overshadowed by some of the other names in San Diego, Cronenworth is a solid fantasy option while hitting in the middle of a powerful Padres' lineup.

Steer went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's loss to San Diego.

Steer was responsible for the Reds' lone run in Wednesday's lopsided loss, smacking a solo shot off Seth Lugo to lead off the sixth inning. It's the third home run of the season for Steer and his first since April 9. The 25-year-old third baseman is slashing a respectable .240/.316/.404 with 14 runs scored and 10 RBI through 117 plate appearances. Steer offers intriguing power potential and should continue to see a regular role on a rebuilding Reds team.