MLB Player News

Wagaman went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in an extra-inning loss to the Cubs on Thursday.

Wagaman didn't start the contest, but he was called upon to pinch hit for MJ Melendez with a runner on second base in the sixth inning. That substitution worked out well for New York, as Wagaman clubbed a two-run homer to left field to give the team its first runs of the game. The long ball was the second of the season for Wagaman, who has seen sporadic playing time while up with the big-league club. He's started just twice in the Mets' past eight contests.

Schwarber (back) will serve as the Phillies' designated hitter and bat second Thursday against the Nationals.

Schwarber missed back-to-back starts while dealing with lower-back tightness, but he was able to enter Wednesday's contest as a pinch hitter and drew a walk during his lone plate appearance. Now healthy enough to start, he'll look to remain hot after slashing .306/.425/.597 with seven homers through 20 games in June.

Soler went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and two walks in a 7-6, 10-inning victory against Baltimore on Wednesday.

Soler got the Angels off to a fast start with a two-run blast to left field in the first inning. Though he didn't log another hit in the game, the veteran outfielder reached twice more via walks. Soler returned Monday from a stint on the injured list, and he's gone 2-for-9 with a pair of homers, four RBI and a 3:5 BB:K across three games since his return. Overall, Soler is slashing .220/.305/.422 with 11 long balls, 37 RBI, 30 runs and no stolen bases through 61 contests on the campaign.

Canzone is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Pittsburgh.

Canzone returned to the lineup Wednesday following a one-day absence with a right hamstring injury, but he'll be back on the bench Thursday. He did not suffer any known setback Wednesday, so the Mariners are likely just giving Canzone a break for Thursday's matinee. Cal Raleigh is in the designated-hitter slot, and Mitch Garver will grab a start at catcher.

Ohtani (8-2) earned the win Wednesday against the Twins, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out eight over six innings. He also went 2-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI.

Ohtani ran into trouble in the second inning, allowing four singles that led to three runs, though one scored on a passed ball by Dalton Rushing. After that, the two-way star settled in, retiring 13 of the final 15 batters he faced. He has now recorded 11 quality starts in 13 appearances this season. Ohtani continues to dominate on the mound, carrying a 1.58 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 86:24 K:BB into his next scheduled start against the Athletics. He's also continued to produce at the plate, raising his June batting average to .338 with seven home runs.

Schwarber (back) walked in his lone plate appearance during Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Nationals.

The All-Star slugger was out of the lineup for Philadelphia's past two games while tending to lower-back tightness, but he entered Wednesday's game as a pinch hitter and drew a clutch walk to set up Derek Hill's go-ahead two-run home run in the ninth inning. After coming off the bench, Schwarber appears to have a good chance of returning to the lineup for Thursday's series finale in Washington.

Wagner is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta.

Left-hander Martin Perez is on the bump for Atlanta, so the left-handed-hitting Wagner will head to the bench while the Padres go with Fernando Tatis at second base and Miguel Andujar at designated hitter. Since being called up from Triple-A El Paso on June 9, Wagner has staked his claim to a strong-side platoon role by producing a serviceable .276/.432/.310 slash line over 13 games.

Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

The left-handed-hitting Smith will head to the bench while the Cardinals send southpaw Matthew Liberatore to the bump Wednesday. Smith had started in each of Arizona's last four games, going 2-for-14 with two walks and an RBI.

Lowe is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

The Brewers are sending southpaw Shane Drohan to the bump for the series finale, so Reds manager Terry Francona will elect to give the lefty-hitting Lowe the evening off. Lowe started in each of Cincinnati's last seven games, going 5-for-20 with two doubles and a 2:8 BB:K during that stretch.

Pederson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Marlins.

For the second straight day, Pederson launched a late homer off Miami closer Pete Fairbanks in a losing effort. The veteran DH is up to 11 long balls on the season, and over 20 games in June he's batting a respectable .250 (17-for-68) with two doubles, two triples, three home runs, seven runs scored and nine RBI.