MLB Player News

O'Hearn went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Friday's 3-0 win over the Reds.

O'Hearn has hit safely in his last six games, going 8-for-19 (.421) in that span. The homer was his first since April 16, but the 30-year-old continues to demolish right-handed pitching. He's up to a .307/.381/.573 slash line with five homers, 11 RBI, 13 runs scored, three doubles and a triple over 84 plate appearances this season. He should continue to see a strong-side platoon role, mainly as the designated hitter but also with occasional looks in the corner outfield or at first base.

Manager Alex Cora said Friday that Yoshida will get a second opinion on his strained left thumb, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Cora previously said Thursday that Yoshida may need to undergo surgery on his thumb after straining it during Sunday's win over the Cubs, but the 30-year-old will wait to hear from another doctor before determining the best course of action. Yoshida has slashed .275/.348/.388 with 11 RBI across 89 plate appearances this season, and an update on his status should be available within the next several days.

Langford is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Royals.

Langford started the previous 15 games and will receive a day to reset after he posted a .542 OPS during that stretch. Travis Jankowski will bat eighth as the designated hitter Friday for Texas.

Velazquez is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Rangers.

Velazquez has been less and less of an everyday option for the Royals as the team continues to trot out lineups with Salvador Perez as first base, Vinnie Pasquantino at DH and Freddy Fermin behind the dish. Velazquez hasn't done much to warrant an everyday role after starting the season red hot, managing just one hit in his last 27 at-bats.

Florial is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Angels.

Florial will get a rare off day against a right-handed pitcher, with Jose Ramirez filling in at DH and Gabriel Arias playing third against the Angels' Jose Soriano. Time on the bench against RHP could become more common though, as Florial has stumbled to a .196 batting average and a 40.6 percent strikeout rate through 20 games and 64 plate appearances.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Friday that Sanchez (hamstring) is not yet 100 percent but is "good to go" and will be available off the bench, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Eric Haase is on the Brewers' taxi squad just in case, but it doesn't appear at this point that the team plans to add him to the active roster. Sanchez had to be removed from Tuesday's game against the Rays with right hamstring tightness, but it sounds like he could pinch hit Friday, if needed.

Carpenter (oblique) has been sent to Double-A Springfield to begin a rehab assignment.

What would have been Carpenter's first rehab game was rained out Thursday, but he's been cleared for game action after missing the last month with a right oblique strain. It's not clear how many rehab at-bats the 38-year-old will need before being activated. Once he does return, he'll give the Cardinals another option at designated hitter.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Yoshida might require surgery on his injured left thumb, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Yoshida was placed on the injured list Wednesday with what has been termed a left thumb strain. Cora noted Thursday that the medical staff is still gathering information regarding the injury before a decision is made on next steps for Yoshida, but it appears surgery is one of the possibilities. More clarity on the designated hitter's status should be available by the weekend.

O'Hearn is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Yankees.

The lefty-hitting O'Hearn will head to the bench for the series finale while the Yankees bring southpaw Carlos Rodon to the bump. Adley Rutschman will receive a day off behind the plate and will fill in for O'Hearn as the Orioles' designated hitter.

Mervis is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

Patrick Wisdom will get the nod at designated hitter while Mervis sits for the second time in three games. Mervis has still started in seven of the Cubs' last 10 games overall, but he's gone just 3-for-23 with one walk over that stretch. The 26-year-old could soon be at risk of a demotion to Triple-A Iowa if he doesn't turn things around in the near future.