MLB Player News

Vaughn (hand) went 2-for-3 with two solo home runs, two walks and a third run scored in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday.

Vaughn made the second appearance of his rehab stint Thursday and went yard in the first and fifth innings. He also started in right field after serving as the designated hitter in his first game, a sign that he is moving closer to a return from the injured list. Vaughn is eligible to be activated at any time, though the club could opt to have him play a few more games with Charlotte.

Montero has gone 11-for-33 with two home runs, six RBI and seven runs scored since being optioned to Triple-Albuquerque on May 1.

Montero made his brief major-league debut at the end of April, as he started one game before being demoted back to Triple-A. The only downside to his performance since his return to the minors has been a 25 percent strikeout rate, though his 17.1 percent clip for the season is more palatable. Montero doesn't have a clear path to playing time in Colorado with Ryan McMahon locked in at third base, though Montero could earn some plate appearances at designated hitter if he continues to hit well.

Goldschmidt went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in a 3-2 loss Thursday against Baltimore.

Goldschmidt appeared as the designated hitter Thursday, receiving a break from the field for the second time this season. After popping out and striking out twice in his first three plate appearances, he singled and stole a base in the eighth as the Cardinals attempted a comeback. In May, the veteran has been excellent, slashing .314/.442/.514 with eight walks in 10 games. The stolen base was his third on the season and, while he's no longer a threat for 20 steals, the 34-year-old is still capable of reaching double-digit thefts.

Gurriel isn't starting Thursday's regularly scheduled game against the Twins, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Gurriel finished Wednesday's suspended game by going 1-for-5 with a run, but he'll get a breather for the regularly scheduled matchup. Niko Goodrum will start at first base and bat seventh.

O'Hearn is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

With southpaw Taylor Hearn on the hill for Texas, the lefty-hitting O'Hearn will give way in the lineup to the righty-hitting Emmanuel Rivera, who came off the bench to replace him in Wednesday's 8-2 win and provided a three-run triple in his lone at-bat. O'Hearn should still find himself in the large side of a platoon at first base or designated hitter until Carlos Santana (ankle) is ready to return from the injured list.

Pratto (undisclosed) was activated from the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Omaha. He'll bat second and play first base versus Triple-A Iowa.

Pratto saw just a minimum stint on the injured list. He'll look to build upon a solid start to the season that saw him slash .250/.323/.477 with five home runs, 17 RBI, 14 runs scored and two stolen bases in his first 23 games.

Mountcastle (wrist) won't be available for Thursday's game in St. Louis, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

The Orioles view Mountcastle's sore left wrist as a day-to-day concern, but the 25-year-old is still set to miss his second consecutive game on account of the injury. Tyler Nevin is expected to pick up another start in Mountcastle's stead.

Smith is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The lefty-hitting Smith will give way to the righty-hitting J.D. Davis at designated hitter, even though the Nationals are bringing a right-hander (Joan Adon) to the hill. Though Smith should have the overall edge on playing time over Davis, the two don't look like they'll be deployed in a strict platoon.

Alonso went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 8-3 loss to the Nationals.

He gave the Mets a 3-0 lead in the top of the first by taking Aaron Sanchez deep, but the game was all Nats after that. Alonso has slugged five of his eight homers on the year in the last 12 games, a stretch during which he's slashed .333/.423/.711 with 12 RBI.

Goldschmidt went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, three RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 10-1 win over the Orioles.

Goldschmidt hadn't knocked in a run in seven games before his strong performance Wednesday. He's hit safely in four straight contests, going 7-for-16 in that span. The first baseman owns a .294/.389/.422 slash line with two home runs, 14 RBI, 16 runs scored, two stolen bases and eight doubles in 29 games.