MLB Player News

Tovar went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 8-5 win over the Tigers.

Tovar has homered three times and added 12 RBI during his 13-game hitting streak. Over that span, he's gone 19-for-53 (.358) while also notching one stolen base. The rookie shortstop is holding down a starting role, and his recent surge has him up to a .269/.303/.441 slash line with eight homers, 39 RBI, 40 runs scored and four stolen bases through 77 contests overall.

The Angels optioned Velazquez to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

Velazquez was sent down to make room for Anthony Rendon, who was activated off the 10-day injured list. In 32 plate appearances with the Angels, Velazquez registered a .644 OPS with no homers and six stolen bases across 12 games.

Pena is out of the lineup Friday due to a stiff neck, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters that Pena simply had a "bad night of sleep" but probably won't be used off the bench in order to prevent the neck issue from getting any worse. Mauricio Dubon is covering shortstop and batting sixth in Friday's series opener versus the Rangers.

Pena is absent from the lineup for Friday's game versus the Rangers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

It appears to be a routine day of rest for Pena, who will put a modest five-game hitting streak on hold. Mauricio Dubon is getting the start at shortstop.

Abrams (elbow) is back in the lineup Friday at Philadelphia.

Abrams took a pitch off his right elbow in Tuesday's game against the Mariners and sat out Wednesday's series finale, but he's ready to rock for the Nationals' series opener against the Phillies. The 22-year-old speedster will play shortstop and bat ninth.

Mateo is not in the starting lineup Friday against Minnesota, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Mateo will get a breather after he went 0-for-4 with a run scored and two walks during the team's series with Cincinnati. Gunnar Henderson will slide over to shortstop while Ramon Urias enters the lineup at third base and bats seventh in the series opener with the Twins.

Wendle went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in Thursday's win over the Red Sox.

The veteran infielder was a key part of the Miami's series sweep of Boston, going 8-for-12 over the three-game set with two steals and three runs scored. Wendle is batting .410 (16-for-39) over his last 12 games with five multi-hit performances in nine starts, and with the Marlins' offense as a whole beginning to heat up -- they out-scored the Red Sox 18-3 in the sweep -- his base knocks might start to turn into consistent production in other categories.

Duran went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and two runs scored in Thursday's 8-5 loss to Detroit.

Duran continued his recent surge at the plate, launching his 12th home run of the season in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game at 2-2 before adding a single in the ninth. It marked the 24-year-old's fifth consecutive multi-hit game and his third straight game with a home run. He's now hitting a very robust .367 (29-for-79) in June to go along with five homers, 11 RBI and 16 runs scored.

Tovar went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and two runs scored in Thursday's 14-3 loss to the Dodgers on Thursday.

Tovar has a 12-game hitting streak going, during which he's gone 17-for-49 (.347). He also picked up his first steal since June 3 in Thursday's loss -- he was caught stealing on his last two attempts. The shortstop's made strides with his bat, having gone hitless just twice in June to raise his season average to .265. He's added a .729 OPS, seven home runs, 36 RBI, 38 runs scored and three stolen bases over 76 contests.

Turner went 2-for-4 with a double, two stolen bases and a run scored in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Cubs.

Turner has gone 8-for-24 (.333) with four steals and seven RBI during his active six-game hitting streak. The shortstop was a bit hesitant on the basepaths earlier in the year, but he's now amassed 10 steals through 25 games in June. For the season, he's slashing just .249/.304/.386 with 17 thefts, eight home runs, 29 RBI, 46 runs scored, 17 doubles and two triples over 79 contests.