MLB Player News

Frazier was recalled from the minor leagues, but is not in Friday's lineup against the Brewers.

Never a top prospect, but a very productive minor leaguer in 2015 and 2016, Frazier has emerged as the Pirates' utility player of the future. He has a solid hit tool (.300 or better average at Double-A, Triple-A and the majors) and an excellent approach (27:29 K:BB at Triple-A). Another aspect of his game that makes him valuable in real life is the fact that he can play second base, third base, right field and left field. He should be used in that super utility role down the stretch for the Pirates, but is unlikely to offer enough counting stats to make him valuable in most formats.

The Royals recalled Merrifield from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

Merrifield has played with Omaha since late July, but he saw extensive action with the Royals earlier this season, appearing in 53 games. He played both the infield and outfield at both levels, so he figures to work as a super-utility player for the big club during September.

Tomlinson was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The versatile Tomlinson has appeared in 35 games for the big league club this season, hitting .289 with three RBI, 10 walks and 13 strikeouts in 76 at-bats. A .285 hitter at the Triple-A level, Tomlinson will provide utility depth for the Giants over the final month-plus of the season. The 26-year-old has seen time at second base, shortstop, third base and left field over the past two seasons.

Forsythe went 2-for-4 with a home run, four RBI and a walk in a loss to the Red Sox on Wednesday.

He hit a two-run blast to give the Rays a lead in the second and then tied the game on a two-run single in the eighth, but Tampa Bay would fall 8-6. Forsythe recorded eight multi-hit games, six home runs, 13 RBI and 17 runs in August. He is slashing .273/.340/.471 with 17 bombs, 46 RBI and 61 runs in 395 at-bats.

Barreto was promoted to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

The A's brought up Joey Wendle from Nashville on Wednesday, so Barreto will take his place on the Sounds' roster over the final 12 days of the season. The top prospect in Oakland's system, Barreto won't turn 21 until Feb. 27, so the fact that he has already reached Triple-A is an extremely rare feat. He uses super quick wrists and strong forearms to really impact the ball, especially to the pull side. Barreto got off to a slow start at Double-A this year, but he is hitting .339/.392/.484 with three home runs and 14 steals (on 21 attempts) in 45 games since the All-Star break.

Ngoepe has been suspended by the Pirates following his arrest early Sunday after an altercation outside a Toledo bar.

Ngoepe was suspended seven days and will miss the remainder of the Triple-A season. He was drinking with two other minor league players -- Dovydas Neverauskas from the Pirates system and Warwick Saupold from the Tigers system -- when a disagreement with another man escalated into a large fight. Ngoepe was charged with assault and two counts of resisting arrest. Pirates general manager Neal Huntington was quick to condemn his players' actions, saying the team is "extremely disappointed" in the actions of its players. Ngoepe is scheduled to appear in court on September 13.

Polanco is out of Tuesday's lineup against Cleveland, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Polanco will have the night off and give way to Eduardo Escobar at shortstop when the Twins face Josh Tomlin and the Indians on Tuesday night. Polanco will likely return to action for Wednesday's series finale against the Indians.

Rodgers, 20, was named South Atlantic League Most Outstanding Major League Prospect, milb.com reports.

Rodgers is hitting .282 with 19 homers and 73 RBIs in 109 games. The 2015 No. 3 overall pick owns a .343 OBP and has 31 doubles. He is one of the top hitting prospects in baseball.

Franklin went 2-for-4 with a run in Monday's loss to the Red Sox, making him 5-for-9 in the two starts since a return from the seven-day DL.

The 25-year-old continued producing despite his spot in the latter portion of the order and has his season line up to .311/.376/.538 after Monday's performance. Franklin continues to also provide the Rays with valuable versatility in the field, having put in time at both first and second base, as well left and right field, this season.

Polanco went 2-for-4 with a double in Monday's loss to the Indians.

The infielder has swung the bat well since returning to the Twins in late July. Polanco now has seven hits over his last seven games, good enough to bring his average for the season to .292. The 23-year-old should continue to get looks while swinging the bat well for Minnesota.