MLB Player News

Vargas went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Tuesday's 6-5 win against Atlanta.

Vargas provided a key swing in the third inning, taking Grant Holmes deep for a two-run homer to put Chicago on the board. The blast was his 16th of the season. Vargas has now recorded a hit in nine of his last 10 games, launching four homers during that span. The third baseman is now slashing .243/.371/.498 with 10 doubles, one triple, 43 RBI, 49 runs scored and nine stolen bases across 286 plate appearances.

Gelof went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Brewers.

Gelof took former teammate Joel Kuhnel deep in the eighth inning to tack on an insurance run for the Athletics. Gelof has hit safely in 14 straight games dating back to May 25, going 19-for-55 (.345) with two homers and six RBI in that span. The infielder is playing second base against southpaws and third base versus right-handers, but he's been too hot at the plate recently to get platooned. If Gelof's hitting turns cold, Max Muncy could poach some of the time at third since both players are right-handed hitters.

The Royals optioned Rojas to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Rojas made one start in his handful of days with the big club, collecting one hit in five plate appearances. He's being scrubbed from the active roster in order to make room for Stephen Kolek (personal), who will start Tuesday's game versus the Rangers.

Emerson (back) remains out of the lineup for Tuesday's game in Baltimore.

Emerson had to be scratched from Monday's lineup due to back tightness. With southpaw Trevor Rogers starting for the Orioles, it makes sense for the Mariners to give the left-handed-hitting Emerson at least one more day. Cole Young will again shift over to shortstop, and Ryan Bliss will start at second base.

McMahon went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Monday's 7-5, extra-inning win over Cleveland.

McMahon's homer was a big one, as it broke a 3-3 tie in the fifth inning. After going deep just three times over his first 45 games, the veteran third baseman has been flashing more power of late, hitting four long balls across his past past 14 contests. McMahon is batting a solid .293 over that span, though that comes with a 0:14 BB:K. In fact, McMahon hasn't drawn a walk since May 7, a span of 23 games.

Moncada will require surgery on his right knee, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Moncada was shifted to the 60-day injured list earlier Monday, and those his injury had previously been described as knee inflammation, the limited progress he's made since suffering the injury in late May looks to have prompted him to opt for surgery. While a specific timetable is unclear, the expectation is that Moncada will be able to return at some point after the All-Star break.

The Angels transferred Moncada (knee) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

The move opens a spot on the Angels' 40-man roster for Trey Mancini, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Salt Lake. Moncada landed on the 10-day IL in late May due to a right knee inflammation, and he's only recently progressed to running and hitting off a tee. Now that he's on the 60-day IL, Moncada won't be eligible to return to the Angels until shortly after the All-Star break.

Emerson was scratched from Monday's lineup against the Orioles due to back tightness, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Emerson had been set to start at shortstop and bat eighth in the series opener, but he's now got a back issue to contend with. Consider the rookie infielder day-to-day for the time being.

Emerson was a late scratch from the lineup for Monday's game in Baltimore, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

There's no word yet on the reason for Emerson's removal from the lineup, but the Mariners should offer an update soon. Cole Young will slide over to shortstop and Ryan Bliss will enter the lineup at second base to accommodate Emerson's absence.

The Athletics activated Muncy (hand) from the 10-day injured list Monday.

Muncy has been out of commission since late April due to a fractured left hand. He went 10-for-27 with three home runs and two doubles in seven minor-league rehab games, which was enough to convince the Athletics he was ready to rejoin the active roster. Muncy played some shortstop on his rehab assignment, and with Zack Gelof faring well at third base, Muncy could see some action at both spots on the left side of the infield, at least until Jacob Wilson (shoulder) returns from the IL.