MLB Player News

Astudillo will be promoted to the major leagues for the first time in his career Friday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Astudillo will be up to replace the injured Taylor Motter (concussion). The 26-year-old is one of the most unique players in affiliated baseball. His ability to make contact is incredible, as he's struck out a grand total of 76 times in nine minor-league seasons (good for a 3.2 percent strikeout rate). He can't really do anything else, though, as his defense has generally graded poorly and he's possessed little power, though the latter may be changing as he's posted a .517 slugging percentage in 85 games at the Triple-A level over the last two seasons. The Twins (Astudillo's fourth organization) will finally give the world the chance to see if his profile plays at the major-league level.

Moncada went 1-for-6 with a double and struck out four times in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Twins.

Moncada has hit safely in six straight games (7-for-28), but has also struck out 11 times in 29 plate appearances during that stretch. Therein lies the frustration for fantasy owners. Moncada draws walks and does well when he makes contact (.333 BABIP), but inconsistent bat-to-ball skills prevent him from making a bigger impact. He strikes out 35.6 percent of the time and doesn't get on base enough (.294 OBP) to make his speed work.

Devers went 1-for-3 with a solo home run Thursday against the Angels.

Devers took Jaime Barria deep to straightaway center for his 13th home run of the season. Though his overall numbers remain disappointing, Devers' bat has come alive of late, as he has 12 hits, nine runs scored, three home runs and 10 RBI his last 39 at-bats.

Machado went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Thursday's 4-2 loss to Seattle.

June hasn't been too kind to Machado, as he's hitting just .250 (22-for-88) with four long balls this month. Still, the superstar infielder owns a .303/.373/.557 slash line with 56 RBI in 307 at-bats in 2018. With trade rumors swirling, Machado remains one of the best hitters in baseball.

Segura went 2-for-5 with two doubles, a walk and three runs in an extra-innings win over the Orioles on Wednesday.

Segura cashed in on all three occasions in which he was on base, including in the 11th inning, when he crossed the plate with what turned out to be the winning run. There seems to be no stopping the hot-hitting shortstop, who's returned from a four-game absence due to a forearm infection to go 5-for-12 with the pair of doubles, three walks and four runs over the subsequent three contests.

Devers went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a run scored, a stolen base and a strikeout in Wednesday's win over the Angels.

Devers delivered the game-winning hit in the seventh inning, driving in a run on a double to put Boston back in front after blowing a six-run lead. He's tallied five multi-hit games over the past 11 contests, and the 21-year-old has also been more aggressive on the basepaths of late. The steal was just his fifth of the year (in six tries) but fourth in the past three weeks.

Bregman 3-for-5 with two doubles, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Wednesday's 7-6 win over the Blue Jays.

He saved the best for last, launching a walkoff two-run homer off Jays closer Ryan Tepera in the bottom of the ninth inning. Bregman is absolutely locked in right now, going yard in three straight games to give him 14 home runs on the year, and he's hitting .309 (30-for-97) through 23 games in June with nine homers, 22 runs and 26 RBI.

Moustakas went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Brewers.

He went yard to lead off the seventh inning, kicking off a four-run rally that broke open a 1-1 tie. Moustakas has endured a brutal June, hitting .190 (16-for-84) on the month, but he now has 15 homers on the year and is still on pace for his second straight 30-homer campaign.

Bregman went 4-for-5 with a home run, two RBI, two runs and three doubles in Tuesday's win over the Blue Jays.

Bregman recorded doubles in the third, fifth and seventh innings, giving him a total of 25 on the season. He then hit a two-run homer -- his 13th of the year -- in the eighth inning, bringing him to a season-best 10 total bases in one game. Bregman's 39 extra-base hits trail only Jose Ramirez (44) among MLB third basemen, and the 24-year-old's .866 OPS is good for fifth at the position.

Valencia was 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to Seattle.

Valencia gave the Orioles an early lead with the second-inning home run, but was caught stealing and picked off his other two times on the basepaths. The 33-year-old has been a relative bright spot of the Baltimore offense in 2018, with a .287/.354/.467 slash line in 189 plate appearances.