MLB Player News

The Royals optioned Pratto to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

While there's no corresponding move yet, it will presumably be Adam Frazier returning from the bereavement list. Pratto was up with the big club only for a few days and didn't make an appearance.

Gonzalez (hamstring) served as the designated hitter and went 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI for Triple-A Worcester on Thursday.

Gonzalez made his first appearance while on a rehab assignment and played five innings. Per Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe, Gonzalez is expected to start at first base Friday.

Hamilton batted second and went 1-for-5 with a stolen base, an RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 9-3 win over Philadelphia.

Hamilton's good stretch of hitting led to him batting second for the second consecutive game against a right-hander, and the shortstop extended his hit streak to five games. Since mid-May, when manager Alex Cora started giving him regular run in the starting lineup, Hamilton has slashed .341/.378/.553 with 11 extra-base hits, nine RBI, 14 runs and 10 steals over 26 contests.

Sborz (shoulder) headed to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday to begin throwing live batting practice, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

If all goes well in live BP sessions, Sborz will embark on a rehab assignment shortly after. This is Sborz's second stint on the injured list this season due to a right rotator cuff strain.

Mahle (elbow) threw 30-to-40 pitches in a live batting practice session Thursday, Kenndi Landry of MLB.com reports.

This was Mahle's second live BP session, and he faced Josh Jung (wrist) in this one. Texas manager Bruce Bochy said afterward that the right-hander showed good command and velocity. He'll take a week off before throwing more live BP, then Mahle will go on a rehab assignment. He won't be an option for the Rangers' rotation until after the All-Star break.

Jung (wrist) took live batting practice Thursday, Kenndi Landry of MLB.com reports.

The third baseman saw pitches from Tyler Mahle (elbow) as they both continue their rehabs. The next step for Jung is a trip to Triple-A Round Rock to continue live BP before he officially begins a rehab assignment, and he remains on track to return before the end of the month.

Robertson allowed one hit, hit a batter and struck out three over a scoreless eighth inning Thursday, earning a hold in a 3-1 win over the Dodgers.

Robertson put the first two batters he faced aboard, setting up a rematch with the top of the Dodgers' lineup after he had struck out Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman on Wednesday to preserve a Texas lead. Robertson proceeded to do the same exact thing Thursday. The veteran reliever has 14 holds this season to go with a 3.19 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 36.2 percent strikeout rate, his highest mark since 2017.

Butler owns a .250/.348/.420 slash line with nine extra-base hits (five doubles, four home runs), nine RBI and seven stolen bases in the 24 games he's played with Triple-A Las Vegas since being optioned May 14.

Butler also boasts a 13.0 percent walk rate and modest 20.9 percent strikeout rate in that span, the latter figure representing a welcome reduction from the 29.8 percent number he sported during his time with the big-league club earlier this season. Seth Brown remains mired in a season-long slump, so Butler showing signs of life with the Aviators could mean a potential return to the majors for the 23-year-old.

Smith started at shortstop and went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Dodgers.

Smith made another start at shortstop, as the Rangers are being careful with Corey Seager (hamstring). Seager had returned to action Wednesday, serving as the DH, and was originally in Thursday's starting lineup at DH before being scratched. Smith continued to be a surprising contributor for the Rangers; he's gone 19-for-53 (.358) with six extra-base hits, two steals, four RBI and 10 runs scored over the last 15 games.

Canning (2-7) took the loss against the Diamondbacks on Thursday, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk over six innings while striking out three.

Canning got himself into trouble early after allowing two of the first three batters to reach base, which Christian Walker would capitalize on with a three-run shot to left field. The right-hander would allow only two hits from that point on, though one of those hits was a second long ball by Walker, putting Los Angeles in a 4-0 hole. Canning had not allowed more than three runs in any of his last seven outings coming in and Thursday marked only the third time this season he's surrendered multiple home runs. He has, however, managed to go at least six innings in three consecutive starts.