MLB Player News

Morel went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Saturday's 4-0 win over the Giants.

Morel's hot start to May was quickly washed out by an 0-for-21 skid over his last eight games. That slump saw him lose his hold on a full-time role, though he managed to draw five walks in that span. The 23-year-old broke through Saturday with a fourth-inning solo shot and added a two-run single a frame later. The next step will be finding some level of consistency. He's at a .259/.323/.647 slash line with 10 homers, 18 RBI, 19 runs scored and a stolen base through 93 plate appearances this season.

Belt left Saturday's game against the Twins due to left hamstring tightness.

The oft-injured veteran managed to make it more than two months into the season without incident and has been a productive part of the Toronto lineup, slashing .263/.378/.434 through 48 games. Whether or not his latest injury is serious enough to require a trip to the injured list is uncertain. If it does, Alejandro Kirk could spend more time at designated hitter, especially with Danny Jansen (groin) closing in on a return.

Rooker remains on the bench Saturday against Milwaukee, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Rooker's .263/.363/.505 season slash line makes him one of the few bright spots on the Oakland roster, so to see him stuck on the bench for the second consecutive game suggests he may be battling an undisclosed minor injury. It's also possible that the 15-50 Athletics aren't particularly concerned with putting their best lineup on the field and see no need to give everyday at-bats to a journeyman despite his hot start. Whatever the reason for Rooker's absence, it will be JJ Bleday who serves as the designated hitter Saturday.

Vogelbach will sit Saturday against the Pirates, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Vogelbach's off days typically come against lefties, but he'll sit here against righty Johan Oviedo. Vogelbach is hitting just .203/.343/.297 despite being protected from facing same-sided pitching, so it's no surprise to see him stuck on the bench for the third straight game. Francisco Lindor will rest his legs as the designated hitter Saturday, with Luis Guillorme taking Lindor's usual spot at shortstop.

Carpenter will be on the bench for Saturday's game against the Rockies, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Carpenter finds himself on the bench for the second straight day, with the Rockies turning to another lefty in Kyle Freeland. Gary Sanchez will serve as the designated hitter.

Jimenez (calf) is on the bench as expected Saturday against the Marlins.

Jimenez left the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Yankees with left calf discomfort. Manager Pedro Grifol said Friday that Jimenez should be able to avoid the injured list but will miss at least four or five days. So far, that remains true. Gavin Sheets will remain the right fielder Saturday, with Jake Burger again starting at designated hitter.

Solak was recalled by the Tigers on Saturday.

Solak was optioned by the Tigers on Friday after being claimed off waivers from Atlanta, but he didn't have to wait long before getting a chance with the big-league club. He joins the active roster with Akil Baddoo (quadriceps) hitting the injured list, though it's likely Kerry Carpenter will be the biggest beneficiary of Baddoo's absence.

Blackmon is not in Saturday's lineup against the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Randal Grichuk is starting at designated hitter while Nolan Jones picks up a start in the outfield. Blackmon is hitting .156 with zero home runs in 32 at-bats this month.

Pederson went 4-for-4 with one RBI in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Cubs.

All four of Pederson's hits were singles, but he accounted for more than half of the Giants' seven hits in the contest. Over four games since returning from a hand injury, Pederson's gone 6-for-15 with two RBI and two runs scored. The 31-year-old continues to fill a strong-side platoon role at designated hitter, one that's seen him produce a .260/.374/.479 slash line with five home runs, 20 RBI and 14 runs scored over 115 plate appearances on the season.

Ford went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Angels.

This was just Ford's second hit in six games played, and he's added a mediocre 1:6 BB:K. The 30-year-old was effective in the minors, but it's yet to translate against major-league pitching. He hit three homers and slashed .206/.302/.313 over 149 plate appearances with four clubs last year, but he's yet to earn anything more than a part-time role with the Mariners in 2023.