MLB Player News

Rafaela went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Friday's 9-7 win over the Yankees.

In a back-and-forth affair, Rafaela launched a momentum-shifting, two-run homer in the seventh inning before Boston plated three more in the next frame. The home run re-energized Fenway Park, which had just seen Aaron Judge hit a missile, measuring 470 feet off the back wall in center field. It was the 12th home run of the season for Rafaela, who is 9-for-29 (.310) with a home run, three RBI, three steals and five runs in seven games since returning from the All-Star break.

Heim went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Blue Jays.

Heim delivered a two-run single in the third inning, tying the game at three runs apiece. Despite the loss, it was an encouraging night for the Rangers, who watched Heim and Adolis Garcia (two hits, home run, three RBI) make contributions at the plate. Both lineup stalwarts have been slumping. Heim entered the game with a .100 average (3-for-30) over the last nine games, while Garcia batted .143 (5-for-35) over the same stretch.

Garcia went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Friday's 6-5 loss to Toronto.

Garcia had a run-producing, two-out single in the first then hit the shortest home run ever measured at Rogers Center since Statcast began tracking distance. Garcia sent an opposite field flyball that clanged off the base of the foul pole in right field, 328 feet away. It's a sign that the outfielder's cool bat may be coming to life. Garcia entered the contest with a .437 OPS over the last 16 games and just one home run over the last 19.

Carter was shut down from baseball activities Friday and will get a second opinion on his lower back soreness, MLB.com reports.

Carter is set to visit a specialist in California, and the Rangers will reassess the outfielder's condition and map out steps for his recovery pending the results of the appointment. "He's just not coming along like we were hoping," Texas manager Bruce Bochy said. There had been talk of Carter beginning a rehab assignment next week, but those plans are on hold.

Isbel went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 6-0 win over the Cubs.

Isbel is 5-for-11 over his last three games, a noticeable uptick in success for the outfielder. He's logged seven steals this season, three of which he's racked up across 15 games in July. The 27-year-old is slashing .235/.286/.387 with seven home runs, 27 RBI and 39 runs scored across 84 contests. Isbel is likely to remain in a strong-side platoon role in center field, with Garrett Hampson often entering the lineup versus southpaws.

Perez went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Friday's 6-0 win over the Cubs.

Perez put a bow on the Royals' six-run fifth inning with the team's lone extra-base hit of the contest. While his hot start to the season was erased when he batted .194 in June, Perez has bounced back to hit a more respectable .261 (18-for-69) over 18 contests in July. The catcher is up to 19 homers, 70 RBI, 42 runs scored, 16 doubles and a .278/.337/.474 slash line through 101 games this year.

Santander went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's 6-4 loss to the Padres.

Santander has put together quite an encore after his 13-homer June, adding seven more long balls over 19 contests in July. Six of those homers have come during his current 12-game hitting streak in which he's batting .320 (16-for-50) with 11 RBI. The outfielder is slashing .244/.306/.528 with 68 RBI, 56 runs scored, one stolen base, 16 doubles and two triples through 98 contests overall. He's on track for a career year in the power department while hitting in the heart of Baltimore's order.

Westburg went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and two total runs scored in Friday's 6-4 loss to the Padres.

Westburg took Adam Mazur deep in the second inning to open the scoring. It's been a bit of a streaky month for Westburg -- he's batting .205 (16-for-78) with four homers, six RBI and a 3:16 BB:K over 19 contests in July. The infielder is at a .267/.314/.491 slash line with 17 homers, 54 RBI, 51 runs scored and six stolen bases through 96 games overall. His playing time isn't in danger yet, but an extended slump by Westburg could open the door for Connor Norby or Ramon Urias to claim a larger role.

Kimbrel (6-3) took the loss Friday versus the Padres, allowing two runs on two hits and striking out one over one inning.

Kimbrel's going through another bout of poor pitching -- he's allowed eight runs (six earned) over his last 3.2 innings, taking two blown saves in that span. Friday's collapse came in a tied game, as he was taken deep by Jurickson Profar for a two-run home run. Kimbrel is now at a 3.32 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 56:19 K:BB over 38 innings with 23 saves, four holds and six blown saves this year. If his struggles continue, he may be moved to low-leverage assignments briefly as he was in late April and early May. Should that happen, Yennier Cano, Jacob Webb and Seranthony Dominguez would be candidates to pick up the slack in the ninth inning.

O'Hoppe went 3-for-4 with a run scored in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Athletics.

O'Hoppe continues to make plenty of contact in July -- he's batting .308 (20-for-65) this month, though he's posted just three extra-base hits and five RBI over 18 contests. The catcher is up to a .282/.336/.465 slash line with 14 home runs, 43 RBI, 46 runs scored, 13 doubles and two stolen bases through 89 contests. While he's struck out at a 25.0 percent rate in 2024, O'Hoppe has done plenty of other things right in his first full major-league campaign.