MLB Player News

India went 3-for-5 with two home runs and five RBI in Saturday's 8-5 win over the Cubs.

India had gone 17 games without a homer, hitting just .239 (16-for-67) in that span. This was also his second game with multiple RBI in May, and just his fourth such effort this season, though he's spent a large chunk of it as the leadoff hitter. The big effort has India up to a .291/.376/.439 slash line with five homers, 24 RBI, 42 runs scored and eight stolen bases through 52 contests. Hitting in the No. 3 hole versus right-handers should offer the second baseman more chances to produce RBI.

Vargas went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a 6-5 win against the Rays on Saturday.

Vargas provided what proved to be a crucial insurance run in the eighth inning with his 408-foot solo shot. The long ball snapped a 12-game homerless drought for the rookie dating back to May 10. That was the second prolonged power outage for Vargas this season -- he failed to go deep in his first 24 contests of the campaign, then proceeded to hit four homers over his next 12 games.

Short went 1-for-2 with two walks and a two-run home run in Saturday's win over the White Sox. He also stole a base.

Short has looked good in 19 games with the Tigers, as he's now batting .310 with a 1.084 OPS. Short has a career .160 batting average with a .588 OPS, so the production this year has been unexpected to say the least. However, the hot stretch could earn him some extended playing time in the short term.

Stefanic is slashing .331/.438/.416 through 42 games this season with Triple-A Salt Lake, and he's reached base in every contest in which he's played.

Stefanic's on-base streak is actually at 51 extending back to last season, when he hit .314 with a .422 on-base percentage for the Triple-A club. The 27-year-old has proven to be a difficult out with a .401 OBP across 364 career minor-league contests, though he struggled in his first taste of the majors last year, slashing .197/.279/.230 over 69 plate appearances. Stefanic's ability to reach base could earn him another chance in the big leagues at some point, but his absence of power and speed limit his appeal as a future fantasy asset.

Villar was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday.

Thairo Estrada was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left wrist sprain, opening the door for Villar to return after a couple weeks in the minors. Villar struggled to the tune of a .148/.240/.318 line in his prior stint with the Giants this season, fanning in exactly one-third of his plate appearances. He figures to serve primarily as a bench piece with perhaps occasional starts against left-handed pitching.

Estrada (wrist) was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to May 26.

Manager Gabe Kapler seemed to downplay the severity of the wrist issue Friday when he indicated Estrada could be available to pinch hit against Milwaukee. However, the injury is now being classified as a sprain, and it will sideline Estrada until at least June 6. Brett Wisely is serving as the Giants' starting second baseman again Saturday while David Villar is now back with the club to provide depth to the infield.

Estrada (wrist) remains out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Brewers.

Brett Wisely will get another turn at second base as Estrada continues to nurse a sore left wrist. Manager Gabe Kapler said Friday that Estrada could be able to pinch hit, and while Estrada did not end up making an appearance off the bench in the second game of the series, it's possible he's available Saturday in some capacity.

Lowe is not in the starting lineup Saturday versus the Dodgers, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lowe will take a seat as the Rays face off with left-hander Clayton Kershaw on Saturday. Taylor Walls will replace him at second base and bat eighth against Los Angeles.

Kim (knee) will bat eighth and play shortstop Saturday against the Yankees, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Kim had to be carried off the field after fouling a ball off his left knee Thursday against the Nationals, but he won't wind up missing more than one game. He was available (but not needed) off the bench Friday and will return to start at shortstop for the fourth time this season, filling in for Xander Bogaerts, who's battling wrist soreness.

Wisely went 2-for-5 with a double, a three-run home run and a second run scored in Friday's 15-1 rout of the Brewers.

He took Freddy Peralta deep in the third inning as part of a seven-run frame for the Giants. Wisely's only other homer this season came May 6, but his .240/.269/.420 slash line on the month is a step up from his seasonal numbers, and the 24-year-old utility player could pick up more playing time at the keystone if Thairo Estrada's sore wrist becomes a bigger issue.