MLB Player News
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Dominic Smith 1B | SF
Giants' Dominic Smith: Taking seat against righty
Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.
Though he'll head to the bench Sunday while the right-handed Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes the hill for the Dodgers, the left-handed-hitting Smith appears to be the Giants' preferred option at first base over Wilmer Flores, who re-enters the lineup for the series finale. Smith had started in each of the Giants' previous five matchups with righties, while Flores was held out of the lineup for all of those games. The two are likely to continue forming a loose platoon at the position until designated hitter Rafael Devers is deemed ready to make his debut as a first baseman.
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Andrew Vaughn 1B | MIL
Brewers' Andrew Vaughn: Sitting Sunday
Vaughn is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.
Since being called up from Triple-A Nashville on Monday, Vaughn has gotten off to a red-hot start to his time with the Brewers, recording at least one hit in each of his first five games while producing a 1.500 OPS and driving in 10 runs. The Brewers haven't yet committed to Vaughn as a full-time player, however, as Jake Bauers will replace him in the lineup Sunday while Milwaukee looks to keep both players involved at first base in the absence of Rhys Hoskins (thumb).
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Jake Burger 3B | TEX
Rangers' Jake Burger: Scratched Sunday
Burger (quadriceps) was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
Burger was penciled in to bat seventh as the designated hitter after not starting Saturday due to left quad discomfort, but he'll instead remain on the bench for the final game before the All-Star break. Alejandro Osuna will serve as the DH versus Houston righty Hunter Brown.
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Donovan Solano 1B | TEX
Mariners' Donovan Solano: Handling short-side platoon role
Solano is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.
After closing June with a .408/.453/.612 slash line over his final 15 games of the month, Solano had started to earn more opportunities against right-handed pitching. However, with his bat having since cooled down -- he's gone 3-for-15 with one walk through six contests in July -- he appears to have since faded back into a short-side platoon role. Solano will be on the bench Sunday for a ninth straight matchup against a right-hander, in this case Jack Flaherty.
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Jake Burger 3B | TEX
Rangers' Jake Burger: Rejoining lineup Sunday
Burger (quadriceps) is batting seventh as the designated hitter Sunday against the Astros.
Burger departed Friday's contest due to quad discomfort and was held out of the lineup Saturday, but he's good to go for the final game before the All-Star break. The 29-year-old is batting .278 with six RBI and six runs through 10 games in July, but he has only a .389 slugging percentage thanks to one double and one homer.
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Eric Wagaman 1B | MIA
Marlins' Eric Wagaman: Resting Sunday
Wagaman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.
Wagaman will hit the bench after he had started at first base each of the previous four games while going 1-for-13 with two walks. Liam Hicks will cover first base in Wagaman's stead.
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Abraham Toro 1B | BOS
Red Sox's Abraham Toro: Receiving afternoon off
Toro is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.
Romy Gonzalez will step in at first base for Boston while Toro heads to the bench after starting each of the last three contests. He's gone 0-for-13 over his last four contests to bring his batting average down to .271, and it wouldn't be surprising if he began to lose out on at-bats to the hot-hitting Gonzalez coming out of the All-Star break. Over his last 10 games, Gonzalez is slashing .436/.442/.897 with 10 extra-base hits, 12 RBI and 11 runs.
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Bryce Harper DH | PHI
Phillies' Bryce Harper: Records steal Saturday
Harper went 1-for-3 with a double, two walks and a stolen base in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Padres.
Harper has gone 7-for-20 (.350) with four walks and five extra-base hits over the first five games of the Phillies' road trip out west. The first baseman also logged his first steal since May 21 versus the Rockies, though he missed time due to wrist inflammation in the gap between steals. Harper is now at a .260/.372/.448 slash line for the year while adding 10 homers, nine thefts, 35 RBI, 36 runs scored and 17 doubles across 67 contests.
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Andrew Vaughn 1B | MIL
Brewers' Andrew Vaughn: Drives in four in win
Vaughn went 2-for-4 with two doubles and four RBI in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Nationals.
Vaughn has hit safely in all five of his games with Milwaukee, going 6-for-14 (.429) with four extra-base hits and 10 RBI. The first baseman delivered a pair of two-run doubles Saturday, with the second being a game-tying hit during the Brewers' ninth-inning comeback. Vaughn is slashing .206/.239/.362 with seven homers, 29 RBI, 10 doubles, 12 runs scored and no stolen bases over 209 plate appearances overall between the White Sox and Brewers this season, though he's taking full advantage of his opportunity to play while Rhys Hoskins (thumb) is on the mend.
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Sal Stewart 1B | CIN
Reds' Sal Stewart: Moving to Triple-A
The Reds are promoting Stewart to Triple-A Louisville, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
Stewart will move one step closer to the majors after shining in Double-A ball, posting a .306/.377.473 slash line with 10 homers, 44 RBI, 51 runs and 13 stolen bases over 80 games. The 21-year-old also continued to show an excellent eye at the plate with a 15.5 percent strikeout rate. If Stewart continues to hit well with Louisville, he could get his first call-up to the majors later this season.