MLB Player News

Vientos is serving as the designated hitter and batting seventh Friday versus the Blue Jays.

Vientos gets the nod here over Daniel Vogelbach, even with right-hander Chris Bassitt on the mound for Toronto. Maybe it's a sign that the 23-year-old will be in for more of an everyday role moving forward. He's primarily been limited to starts against lefties since being recalled May 17 from Triple-A Syracuse.

Vogelbach is not in the starting lineup Friday against the Blue Jays.

Vogelbach will take a seat after he went 0-for-4 with two walks, a run scored and a strikeout over a three-game series with the Phillies. Mark Vientos will take over at designated hitter and bat seventh versus Toronto.

Buxton was lifted from Thursday's game against Cleveland after getting hit in the ribs by a pitch, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said Buxton had been playing at less than 100 percent due to lingering knee problems, and now Buxton could be facing another injury, this one to his ribs. The team will take a look at him and provide an update on how serious his injury is, but Buxton should be considered day-to-day for the time being.

Canha went 1-for-2 with a two-run homer in Thursday's win over Philadelphia.

Canha's now homered on back-to-back days after going 19 games without a long ball. Thursday's two-run shot off Taijuan Walker would prove to be the difference in the Mets' 4-2 victory. The 34-year-old Canha is slashing .245/.330/.406 with five home runs, 18 RBI, 23 runs scored and two steals through 179 plate appearances this season.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Brantley (shoulder) hit off a tee Thursday, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brantley began taking dry swings last week, but this was the first time he put bat-to-ball since his setback in early May. The veteran has been out all season while recovering from August 2022 shoulder labrum surgery and there remains no timetable for his 2023 debut, but he at least seems to be on the right track again with his rehab.

The Mariners will call up Ford from Triple-A Tacoma on Friday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Ford forced Seattle's hand by exercising the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract Thursday. The 30-year-old journeyman might prove to be a solid addition to the big-league roster, even as a bench bat, seeing as he's delivered a robust .302/.427/.605 slash line with 13 homers and 56 RBI through 49 games this season at Tacoma. As a left-handed hitter, he could power his way into a significant share of the platoon at designated hitter.

Ford has exercised the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with the Mariners, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Seattle will have 48 hours to either promote Ford or grant him his release. Ford has crushed Triple-A pitching with Tacoma this season, posting a 1.031 OPS with 13 home runs over 49 games.

Stanton was activated from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

The slugger wound up being sidelined for about seven weeks with a strained left hamstring. He played only one rehab game, but the Yankees evidently felt that was enough as he returns ahead of the weekend series against the Dodgers. Stanton is expected to play plenty in the outfield eventually, but he'll be limited to designated hitter duties for a couple weeks.

Blackmon was activated from the bereavement list Thursday.

Blackmon is back with the Rockies in time for Thursday afternoon's series finale against the Diamondbacks, in which he'll serve as the DH and leadoff man for Colorado. He went on bereavement leave Monday amidst a nine-game hitting streak and has slashed .333/.377/.587 over his last 17 games (69 plate appearances) dating back to May 8.

Encarnacion-Strand is hitting .352 with 14 home runs and a 25.2 percent strikeout rate in 33 games for Triple-A Louisville.

While he rarely sees a pitch he doesn't like, Encarnacion-Strand has the ability to get the barrel on the ball, even when he swings at a pitcher's pitch. His .380 ISO leads all qualified Triple-A hitters, and his future home park in Cincinnati will only enhance his home run prowess. Defensively, Encarnacion-Strand fits best at first base or designated hitter, although he has also started seven games at third base this year. While Encarnacion-Strand appears ready for a call to the majors, his teammate Elly De La Cruz also appears ready, and the Reds may not have room for both of them to play regularly in the short term.