MLB Player News

Taveras went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 7-2 loss to the Angels.

The hot-hitting Taveras provided the Rangers' offense with a two-run home run in the fifth inning. The outfielder, who had a seven-game hit streak snapped Tuesday, is 12-for-32 (.375) with a home run and six RBI over the last nine contests.

Heim went 2-for-4 with a run scored in Wednesday's 7-2 loss to the Angels.

Heim, who was scratched from Tuesday's game with neck stiffness, returned to the starting lineup Wednesday. The catcher's bat is hot right now; he's hit safely in four of the last five games, including three multi-hit efforts, going 9-for-21 (.429) with a home run and two RBI.

Canning did not factor into the decision in a win over the Rangers on Wednesday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.1 innings while striking out three.

Canning cruised through the first four innings before failing to retire five of the first six batters he faced in the fifth, including Leody Taveras, who took the right-hander deep for a two-run shot. The 28-year-old righty was then relieved by Hans Crouse with one out in the frame, missing out on the chance to secure his fourth win of the season. Canning induced 12 swings and misses on the night but has now gone just 4.1 innings in back-to-back starts while posting a 7:4 K:BB to open the month of July. He's also allowed at least one home run in six consecutive outings and has just one win since May 15 (span of 10 starts).

Lorenzen (5-5) took the loss against the Angels on Wednesday, allowing five runs on five hits and four walks over five innings while striking out three.

Lorenzen really struggled in the second inning, hitting Logan O'Hoppe with a pitch to open the frame before surrendering back-to-back walks and two hits, one of which went for a home run to give the Angels an early 4-0 lead. All of the right-hander's four walks came over the first two innings, and he actually went 1-2-3 through each of his final two frames, but he still ended up taking the second loss in his last three starts. It marked the third straight outing in which Lorenzen has issued at least four walks and the second time in his last three starts that he's allowed five runs.

Schneemann went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Tigers.

Schneemann got the Guardians within a run with his fourth-inning blast, but they couldn't pull even. The utility player has gone 4-for-20 (.200) across seven games in July, though all of those hits have gone for extra bases (two homers, two doubles). He's at a .247/.348/.506 slash line with four homers, 14 RBI, 10 runs scored, four doubles, two triples and one stolen base through 92 plate appearances. Schneemann continues to be an option at multiple positions, putting pressure on Jhonkensy Noel, Tyler Freeman and Brayan Rocchio as the Guardians have a number of different looks to fill out the bottom half of the order.

Melendez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in an 8-5 win over the Cardinals in Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Melendez also went 1-for-4 with a double and one RBI in a 6-4 win in the matinee. The outfielder is off to a good start in July, going 7-for-24 (.292) over his first seven contests of the month. For the season, he's posted a .191/.255/.379 slash line with 10 homers, 27 RBI, 24 runs scored, 14 doubles, two triples and two stolen bases over 278 plate appearances. Melendez's struggles at the plate have cost him some playing time versus southpaws, but he's not strictly in a platoon role.

Hampson went 1-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a stolen base in a 6-4 win over the Cardinals in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Hampson got the start in center field for the first half of the doubleheader, giving Kyle Isbel some rest. Hampson's last three hits have all been doubles, but they've come over a span of 17 at-bats across his last six games. The versatile 29-year-old is slashing .262/.301/.349 with six steals, 12 RBI, 10 runs scored and no home runs across 135 plate appearances this season. He's mainly filled a short-side platoon role in center field, though he can play all over the diamond if necessary.

Pena went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Wednesday's 9-1 win over the Marlins.

The theft was Pena's first since June 14. He hit .240 (18-for-75) across the 20 games in between steals, and he's up to 11 pilfers on 15 attempts this season. The shortstop continues to hit well in a starting role, batting .277 with a .711 OPS, seven home runs, 40 RBI and 46 runs scored across 90 contests this season.

Altuve went 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored in Wednesday's 9-1 win over the Marlins.

Altuve has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games, going 21-for-56 (.375) over that span. He's rounded his production during the hot stretch with two home runs, four steals, nine RBI and 10 runs scored. The second baseman's .822 OPS on the year is his lowest in the last four seasons, but he's still put together an excellent campaign by batting .309 with 13 homers, 14 steals, 41 RBI and 55 runs scored through 89 contests.

Diaz went 3-for-4 with three RBI in Wednesday's 9-1 win over the Marlins.

Diaz opened and closed the scoring Wednesday, delivering an RBI single in the first inning and a two-run single in the sixth. This was his seventh three-hit game over his last 15 contests, a span in which he's batting .406 (26-for-64). The catcher is up to a .286/.312/.415 slash line with seven home runs, 48 RBI, 38 runs scored, 15 doubles, two triples and one stolen base over 81 games this season. Diaz isn't a high-end defensive catcher, but his place in the lineup is secure when he's swinging the bat as well as he has lately.