MLB Player News

The Royals optioned Pratto to Triple-A Omaha following Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Blue Jays.

With its four-game series in Toronto now complete, the Royals are set to add the 10 players currently on the restricted list back to the 26-man active roster in advance of the team's first game out of the All-Star break July 22 against the Rays. Pratto will be one of several replacement players who will head back to the minors as a result, spelling an official end to his first stint in the big leagues. He started at first base in all four games in Toronto, going 4-for-14 with a solo home run, a double and a walk while striking out four times.

Rivas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

Though the lefty-hitting Rivas is on the bench with New York bringing a lefty (David Peterson) to the hill, Rivas' time as the Cubs' primary first baseman looks to be over in any case. Frank Schwindel (back), who was reinstated from the injured list Thursday, will be making his third consecutive start to close out the Cubs' first-half schedule and should serve as the Cubs' main option at the position moving forward.

Smith (ankle) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

According to Tim Healey of Newsday, manager Buck Showalter said Sunday that the swelling in Smith's ankle has lessened since the 27-year-old exited the first game of Saturday's doubleheader. Even so, Smith will be sent in for more imaging when the Mets return to New York following Sunday's contest, so a trip to the injured list could still be a possibility. Jeff McNeil will replace Smith in the lineup Sunday as the Mets' designated hitter.

Solano will serve as the Reds' designated hitter and No. 7 batter in Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

He'll close the Reds' first-half schedule having made four consecutive starts, but Solano could be in danger of falling into a short-side platoon role coming out of the All-Star break. Provided he hasn't experienced any major setbacks in his recovery from the virus, Mike Moustakas (illness) could be ready to return from the COVID-19-related injured list and take back primary duties at DH for next weekend's home series with the Cardinals.

Torkelson was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

After initially not being included in Sunday's lineup, Torkelson was demoted to Triple-A. The rookie has spent the entire season to this point in the majors, but since June 20, he's batted .194 with one homer, five RBI and eight runs over 72 at-bats in 22 games. Overall, the first baseman is batting .197 with five homers, 21 RBI and 25 runs over 264 at-bats in 83 contests this year. The demotion may just be temporary until he finds his groove again. Considering that the Tigers are completely out of playoff contention, it doesn't really make sense for Torkelson to be with Toledo for long.

France went 3-for-5 with a double and a run in an extra-inning win over the Rangers on Saturday.

France now has multi-hit efforts in two of the last three games after coming off his stint on the injured list with a cold bat. The 28-year-old has also laced a double in three straight contests, and it appears he's headed into the All-Star break having regained the impressive stroke that's led to a stellar .306/.376/.461 slash line over 78 games to date.

Hall is out of the lineup for Sunday's game in Miami, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

With lefty Trevor Rogers on the hill for Miami, the lefty-hitting Hall will take a seat for the Phillies' final contest before the All-Star break. Johan Camargo steps in at first base as a replacement in the lineup for Hall, while Rhys Hoskins serves as Philadelphia's designated hitter. Since being called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in late June, Hall is hitting .262 with four home runs, eight RBI and seven additional runs in 16 games.

Naylor will sit Sunday against the Tigers.

Naylor will get a breather after he went 3-for-11 with two homers, four RBI and two runs in the first three games of the series. Owen Miller will start at first base and bat sixth in the final game before the All-Star break.

Torkelson is not starting Sunday's contest versus the Guardians.

Torkelson will get a day off after he went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in Saturday's loss. Harold Castro will take over at first base and bat fifth in Sunday's matchup.

Santana went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in a 3-2 win over the Rangers on Saturday.

Santana went deep off innings-eater Spencer Howard for his eighth long ball of the season and his fourth in 16 games since being traded to the Mariners on June 29. The first baseman had hit only four home runs in 52 games with the Royals before the trade, so the new team environment appears to be to his liking. Santana's third-inning blast helped lift the Mariners to their 13th win in a row. He figures to be an everyday starter over the second half of the season.