MLB Player News

France (elbow) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

France sustained a Grade 2 flexor strain in his left elbow in late June but will rejoin the Mariners after spending just over the minimum of 10 days on the IL. The 27-year-old has posted strong results early in the year, slashing .316/.390/.476 with 10 homers, 45 RBI and 32 runs. He should reclaim an everyday role while Abraham Toro and Justin Upton see a decrease in playing time.

Torkelson isn't in the lineup Thursday against the White Sox, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Torkelson started in the last three matchups and went 2-for-11 with two runs, an RBI, a walk and five strikeouts. Kody Clemens is taking over at first base and batting eighth Thursday.

Vaughn isn't starting Thursday against Detroit, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Vaughn is getting a day off after he hit .222 with a homer, a double, five RBI and four runs over the last six games. Gavin Sheets is serving as the designated hitter, while AJ Pollock starts in right field.

Rizzo (back) isn't starting Thursday's game against the Red Sox.

Rizzo will be out of the lineup for a third consecutive game after he was scratched Tuesday due to lower-back stiffness. He hasn't appeared in either of the last two games, but it's not yet clear whether he could be available off the bench for Thursday's series opener in Boston.

Smith is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins.

After going 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles, two runs and an RBI in Wednesday's 8-3 win over the Reds, the lefty-hitting Smith is beginning to make a case for playing more regularly against right-handed pitching. However, he'll head to the bench Thursday with southpaw Daniel Castano on the hill for Miami, affording J.D. Davis an opportunity to serve as the Mets' designated hitter.

Mountcastle (illness) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Thursday's game against the Angels, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

He'll be back in action after a two-game absence caused by a sinus issue. With Mountcastle returning to the lineup, Ryan McKenna will move back to a bench role after starting in four of the previous six contests.

Bohm is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Nationals.

Bohm will get a breather after he went 5-for-16 with a triple, three RBI and two runs over the last four games. Matt Vierling will take over at third base and bat eighth in the series finale.

General manager Jerry Dipoto said that France (elbow) will be reinstated from the 10-day injured list at some point during the Mariners' four-game series with the Blue Jays and could be activated as soon as Thursday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Before he was diagnosed in late June with a Grade 2 flexor strain of his left elbow, France had made a strong case for his first All-Star nod. In 70 games with Seattle, France compiled a .316/.390/.476 slash line while slugging 10 home runs and driving in 45. Though he hasn't been sent out for a minor-league rehab assignment, France has apparently shown steady improvement during workouts in the last several days and looks to be on the cusp of rejoining the Seattle lineup. Whenever he's officially cleared to play again, France should step into an everyday role at either first base or designated hitter, which will leave fewer opportunities available for the likes of Abraham Toro and Justin Upton.

Gurriel is out of the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Royals, likely due to an undisclosed injury, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Gurriel will be on the bench for a second straight contest, and though the Astros haven't provided an explanation behind the back-to-back absences, the 38-year-old is presumably dealing with a physical concern. J.J. Matijevic gets the start at first base in Gurriel's stead and bats sixth in the series finale.

Votto (back) is out of the lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Pirates.

Even if back tightness hadn't kept him out of the lineup the past two days, Votto may have been a candidate to sit out one game of the doubleheader. As such, Votto could still have a chance at being ready to go for the nightcap, depending how much progress he made overnight in his recovery from the back issue. Mike Moustakas will cover first base in Votto's stead for Game 1.