MLB Player News

Kepler (knee) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list Monday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. He was 4-for-10 with three walks in three games for Triple-A St. Paul on a rehab assignment.

Kepler should return to the everyday lineup in right field, but it's not clear who will head to the bench. It's possible Trevor Larnach moves to DH while a struggling Carlos Santana gets less playing time and Alex Kirilloff sees action at first base.

Raleigh went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and three RBI in the Mariners' 10-2 win over the Rockies in Game 2 of their doubleheader Sunday.

Raleigh launched a two-run homer off reliever Noah Davis in the top of the sixth inning, driving in Julio Rodriguez in the process. He later added a sacrifice fly in the top of the eighth, scoring J.P. Crawford for his third RBI of the game. The home run was the catcher's fifth of the season and his third over the last four games. Following Sunday's pair of contests, Raleigh is batting .258 with five homers, 11 RBI and 10 runs scored over 66 at-bats in 19 contests this year.

Brown (0-4) allowed three runs on four hits and two walks over four innings to take the loss Sunday against the Nationals. He struck out six.

Brown needed 34 pitches to get through the first inning, allowing three runs in the process. However, he was much better in the next three frames, facing just one more batter than the minimum, including striking out the side in the second. That's now 12 first-inning earned runs allowed by Brown through five starts this season. Despite the so-so outing, Brown saw his ERA drop from 10.54 to 9.68 and his WHIP fall from an abysmal 2.78 to a slightly less abysmal 2.49. Brown's next start is tentatively slated to take place next weekend, when the Astros travel to the high altitude of Denver to take on the Rockies.

Hancock (2-2) earned the win after he tossed six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out four batters in Seattle's 10-2 victory in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader with Colorado.

Hancock had his start pushed back a couple days due to Friday's weather postponement and he impressed with the added rest. The right-hander limited the Rockies to just five baserunners while the only blemish on his line came in the bottom of the first inning when Elias Diaz ripped a two-RBI double. Hancock has produced back-to-back quality starts and he now owns a 6.10 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with 15 punchouts over 20.2 innings in four outings this season. The 24-year-old is tentatively set to return to the mound Friday at home versus the Diamondbacks.

Sosa will be optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Sosa has struggled to a .132 average with 13 strikeouts over 38 at-bats in 12 contests with the White Sox this season and he'll now get a chance to reset with the Triple-A squad. Danny Mendick is expected to have his contract selected from Charlotte and join Chicago's major-league roster Monday.

Mize (1-0) allowed five hits and three walks over six shutout frames Sunday, striking out four and picking up a win over the Twins.

Mize worked out of a few jams in the scoreless outing, including a bases-loaded threat in the first inning. He's given up three or fewer runs in each of his four starts this season and has produced back-to-back quality starts. Mize dropped his ERA to 2.95 with a 16:6 K:BB through 21.1 frames. His next start is lined up to be at home against the Royals.

Kennedy went 1-for-2 with a home run, three RBI and a walk in Sunday's win over Minnesota.

Kennedy brought home a run with a sacrifice fly in the first inning before drilling a two-run shot in the third. It was his first MLB home run since the 2022 campaign. The 25-year-old slashed .288/.354/.509 with nine extra-base hits in 15 games with Triple-A Toledo prior to being called up Saturday.

Varland (0-4) allowed four runs on three hits and four walks over 2.2 innings Sunday, striking out two and taking the loss against Detroit.

Varland coughed up two runs in the first inning before Buddy Kennedy knocked him out of the game with a two-run shot in the third. It was Varland's shortest start of the year and bumped his ERA up to 9.18 through four outings. He threw just 35 of 74 pitches for strikes and forced one whiff. Varland's next outing is lined up to be on the road against the Angels.

Urias left Sunday night's matchup with the Rockies after he suffered a right wrist contusion, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Urias was hit by sinker from Peter Lambert in the top of the second inning, exiting the contest in the bottom of the frame. Josh Rojas replaced him at third base and an update on Urias will likely be provided following the game.

Verdugo went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored during Sunday's 5-4 win over Tampa Bay.

Verdugo played a key role in the Yankees' four-run fifth inning, plating Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton with a bases-loaded single before eventually coming around to score. Verdugo's runs batted in were his first since April 9 (10 games) despite him batting .306 with eight runs scored since.