MLB Player News

The Dodgers are expected to recall Ward from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ward first reached the Triple-A level in 2023 and has seen his OPS increase in every season he's been at Oklahoma City. After beginning the 2026 campaign by slashing .324/.432/.588 through 81 plate appearances, the 28-year-old will finally get the call to join the big-league roster for the first time. He's spent most of his time in the outfield throughout his professional career but has primarily played at first base this season. It's unlikely he sees regular playing time with the Dodgers, but he could make an occasional start if Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez or Kyle Tucker need a day off.

Murakami went 3-for-5 with a grand slam and two runs scored in Friday's 9-2 win over the Athletics.

Murakami singled and scored in the third inning and then busted the game open with a grand slam off Elvis Alvarado in the top of the seventh to give Chicago a 9-1 lead. After going just 1-for-23 at the plate from April 5 to April 12, Murakami has hits in three of his last four games, including two homers and six RBI. Murakami is slashing .200/.361/.477 with six home runs, 13 RBI, 14 runs scored and a 17:28 BB:K across 83 plate appearances. He's homered, walked or struck out in 61.4 percent of his trips to the plate.

Freeman went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and a run scored in Friday's 7-1 win over the Rockies.

A doubles machine, Freeman doubled in the top of the first inning for his seventh two-bagger of the young season. Freeman has led the league in doubles four times in his career. The 36-year-old is now slashing .282/.341/.487 with three home runs, 14 RBI, nine runs scored and a 6:10 BB:K across 85 plate appearances.

Rice went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and an additional run scored in Friday's 4-2 win over the Royals.

Rice gave the Yankees an early lead with a two-run blast in the fourth inning before adding a single and scoring a run in the eighth. It marked his second straight game with a homer and his sixth overall this season. While he's sitting against most lefties to open the campaign, the 27-year-old is slashing an impressive .339/.459/.746 with 12 extra-base hits, 16 RBI, 18 runs scored and one steal across 74 plate appearances.

Pasquantino went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Yankees.

Pasquantino provided the only offense for the Royals, driving in a run on a groundout in the sixth inning before tying the game with a solo shot in the eighth. After a slow start, the first baseman has recorded hits in three straight contests, highlighted by back-to-back games with home runs. For the year, he's slashing .173/.256/.293 with four extra-base hits, 10 RBI and six runs scored across 86 plate appearances.

Manager Carlos Mendoza said Friday that the Mets are awaiting the results of an MRI on Polanco's right wrist as the veteran infielder remains sidelined due to a sore Achilles, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

Mendoza said that Polanco is in a "better place" with the left Achilles issue he's been battling, but now he has a new injury to deal with. There's a good chance Polanco will be placed on the 10-day injured list, but the club will make that decision after the imaging results come in. If Polanco does have to miss additional time, MJ Melendez could get regular starts at designated hitter against righties, while Ronny Mauricio would be a candidate to return to the big-league roster.

Polanco (Achilles) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

Polanco has battled nagging bursitis in his left Achilles and will miss a second straight start. The Mets have not ruled out placing the veteran on the injured list, but no move was made prior to Friday's afternoon contest at Wrigley Field. MJ Melendez will occupy the designated hitter slot and Brett Baty will play first base in the series opener.

Pasquantino went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Thursday's 10-9 loss against the Tigers.

Pasquantino was held hitless through his first four at-bats before breaking through in the ninth inning with a 412-foot solo shot off Connor Seabold to extend the lead. The homer was Pasquantino's first of the season and provided a small bright spot amid a difficult start to the year. The 28-year-old is now slashing .155/.244/.239 with nine RBI and five runs scored across 82 plate appearances.

Kurtz went 2-for-4 with a double, three RBI and a walk in Thursday's 9-6 loss to Texas.

The 23-year-old slugger collected a season-high three RBI on Thursday, also posting his fourth multi-hit effort of the year. Although Kurtz mashed right-handed pitching to the tune of a 1.153 OPS a year ago, he's off to a sluggish start versus right-handers in 2026. He has a .650 OPS through 42 at-bats against righties so far, though Kurtz did enter Wednesday with an elite 58.6 percent hard-hit rate overall and should find his power stroke soon enough.

Aranda is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.

Aranda has started each of the Rays' first 17 games to begin the season, so Thursday's series finale against the White Sox will be his first breather. The first baseman has slashed .227/.316/.424 with three home runs, 15 RBI, nine runs scored and a 10:17 BB:K across his first 79 plate appearances. He's in the midst of a seven-game homer-less streak. Ryan Vilade is making the start at first and batting fifth Thursday.