MLB Player News

Loftin went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run, a walk and an additional RBI in Tuesday's 7-5 loss to the Athletics.

Loftin hit his first career homer off Hogan Harris in the second inning, tying the game at 2-2. While Loftin has seen steady run at second base, he entered Tuesday on an 0-for-14 skid that could jeopardize his playing time. He's slashing .253/.351/.304 with 12 RBI, 13 runs scored and no stolen bases over 95 plate appearances this season. Michael Massey (back) began a rehab assignment Tuesday, so Loftin's time in a starting role -- and potentially in the majors -- could come to a close when Massey is ready to return to the Royals.

Gelof went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run, one stolen base and two total runs scored in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Royals.

Gelof took Alec Marsh deep in the fourth inning to provide the Athletics with enough offense to weather the Royals' comeback attempt. This was Gelof's third multi-hit effort in his last seven games, though the homer was his first since June 5. The second baseman is starting to put together better at-bats, but he's still at a .195/.250/.335 slash line with six homers, 18 RBI, 20 runs scored and eight stolen bases over 54 contests this season.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Clemens (back) is "getting pretty close" to a return from the 10-day injured list after taking batting practice Monday, MLB.com reports.

Clemens has been on the shelf since June 3, one day after being scratched from the lineup ahead of the Phillies' game against the Cardinals after his bat locked up on him during batting practice. He could go out on a brief minor-league rehab assignment prior to being activated from the IL.

Mastrobuoni was called up from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.

Mastrobuoni will return to the major-league roster after being sent down May 20, replacing Mike Tauchman (groin) with the Cubs after Tauchman was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday. Mastrobuoni produced a .264 average with three home runs, 14 RBI, 16 runs scored and four stolen bases over 87 at-bats in 22 games with Iowa since his demotion.

Lux isn't in the Dodgers' lineup Tuesday against the Rockies.

Colorado will send left-hander Austin Gomber to the mound Tuesday, so the lefty-hitting Lux will sit down to begin the game. Chris Taylor will fill in at the keystone and bat ninth.

Rodgers (hamstring) will be going on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque prior to being activated from the 10-day injured list, Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com reports.

After some speculation on whether he'd require a rehab assignment, Rodgers confirmed Tuesday he would indeed be heading to the Rockies' top minor-league affiliate before activation. The 27-year-old has been on the injured list since June 8 while recovering from a left hamstring strain, and he'll likely play in multiple contests with Albuquerque prior to being activated. With Rodgers on the cusp of returning, Adael Amador seems like a potential candidate to be sent down in the coming days.

Lopez is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against Houston.

Lopez will avoid a matchup with southpaw Framber Valdez on Tuesday. Instead, Danny Mendick will bat ninth and play second base.

Amador is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers.

Amador will get the day off Tuesday after making eight consecutive starts at second base. Alan Trejo will bat ninth and play the keystone. Amador is just 3-for-29 (.103) since being called up.

Albies went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's win over the Tigers.

The second baseman belted the game-winning homer in the eighth inning off Shelby Miller in a 2-1 victory, giving Atlanta its only lead of the night. The long ball was only the fifth of the year for Albies, and the 27-year-old has had trouble finding any rhythm at the plate in June, slashing .206/.227/.397 over 15 games this month.

Turang went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Monday in a loss to the Angels.

Turang plated the final run of the contest with his 419-foot solo shot in the fifth inning. The second-year infielder has gone deep four times through 68 games this season after hitting six homers in 137 contests last year. Turang's skill set is more centered on speed than power, so anything fantasy managers get in the homer department is a nice bonus. The speedster has made a big impact on the rosters of fantasy managers who had the foresight to pick him up late in fantasy drafts or on the waiver wire, as he's slashing .291/.359/.406 on the season with 25 RBI, 35 runs and 26 stolen bases in 27 attempts.