MLB Player News

Hoerner went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and two total runs scored in Friday's 7-4 loss to the Astros.

Hoerner got the Cubs on the board with his fifth-inning homer. The middle infielder has hit safely in 14 of his last 16 games, going 20-for-57 (.351) with four extra-base hits in that span. Both of his homers this season have come over the last four games. He's added a .294/.339/.378 slash line with 34 RBI, 45 runs scored, 15 stolen bases, 17 doubles and a triple over 78 contests, so while he won't add much power, he has shown plenty of consistency with his bat and speed.

Horton (3-2) allowed seven runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out two over four innings to take the loss Friday versus the Astros.

Horton stayed in the rotation over Ben Brown following Shota Imanaga's return from a hamstring injury. However, it looks like Horton is on shaky ground, as he's allowed 13 runs (10 earned) over his last 8.2 innings. He also gave up a pair of three-run home runs Friday, the first long balls he's allowed over five starts in June. The rookie right-hander is at a 4.80 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB through 45 innings across nine appearances (eight starts). It's not a great sign that his two worst outings have been his two most recent, though the Mariners and Astros are tough opponents, and he was also poor versus the Tigers earlier in the month. Horton is tentatively scheduled for a home start versus the Guardians his next time out.

Freeland (1-9) took the loss after throwing four innings, allowing six runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out two, during Friday's 10-6 loss to the Brewers.

A three-start streak of quality outings came to an Friday, as Freeland was roughed up for six-plus runs for the fourth time this season. The 32-year-old has been getting hit around, allowing seven or more hits in five of his last six starts. His ERA is up to 5.56 on the season, with 59 strikeouts over 77.2 innings. He is slated to face the Astros at home in his next start.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said earlier this week that Snell (shoulder) is "probably not" close to facing hitters, MLB.com reports.

Snell took a step forward recently when he began using his full pitch mix during bullpen sessions, but Roberts' comments suggest the lefty hurler is still far away from being activated from the injured list. Snell has pitched in just two games for the Dodgers this season, with his last outing before landing on the IL coming all the way back on April 2. The veteran starter will presumably need to make multiple minor-league rehab appearances before he's ready to return to the big club, so it seems unlikely that he'll be ready to rejoin the Los Angeles rotation until after the All-Star break.

Fulford went 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI during Friday's 10-6 loss to the Brewers.

It was in a losing effort, but Fulford set a career high with three hits Friday, also knocking in three RBI. It's a small sample, but the 26-year-old has shown good consistency in his rookie season, as he's yet to go more than two games without picking up a hit. He is now slashing .281/.294/.500 in 34 plate appearances this season.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said after Friday's 9-8 loss to the Marlins that Naylor was removed from the game due to neck stiffness, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

Naylor went 0-for-3 with one strikeout before being replaced by Tim Tawa prior the start of the seventh inning. Lovullo added that Naylor will likely be out of the lineup Saturday but should return for Sunday's series finale. Pavin Smith -- who served as the DH on Friday -- is likely to replace Naylor on Saturday against Miami's projected starter, right-hander Sandy Alcantara.

Castellanos went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run and a walk in Friday's 13-0 win over Atlanta.

It was the ninth homer of the year for Castellanos, who continued his steady campaign at the plate. The veteran slugger is now slashing .282/.324/.445 with 21 doubles, 44 RBI, 37 runs scored and two stolen bases across 333 plate appearances. Castellanos has played all but one of Philadelphia's first 82 games of the year, and his RBI upside will remain strong in the heart of the batting order.

Kemp went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run and a walk in Friday's 13-0 win over Atlanta.

Kemp lifted his first career homer, and he's now logged at least one hit in five of his last eight games. The 25-year-old rookie is helping fill in at first base for the injured Bryce Harper (wrist), and Kemp is slashing .242/.329/.339 with three doubles, nine RBI, nine runs scored and one stolen base over 70 plate appearances. That said, Kemp will be at risk of being optioned back to the minor leagues once Harper is ready to return, which could come as soon as next week.

Glasnow (shoulder) tossed 2.1 innings in a rehab outing with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out three batters.

Glasnow was slated to throw three innings Friday, but he needed 66 pitches to record seven outs before being lifted from the contest. The veteran right-hander used up most of his leash in the first frame, when he threw 40 pitches and gave up four runs. While Glasnow walked just one batter in the start, his control was off, as he spotted only 37 of his pitches for strikes. On a positive note, Glasnow's average fastball velocity was 96.6 miles per hour, and he induced nine whiffs. He's slated for at least one more rehab appearance, and given that he's already nearly built up to 70 pitches, Glasnow could have a chance at returning shortly before the All-Star break.

Scott picked up the save, working a scoreless ninth while allowing two hits, walking one and striking out one during Friday's 5-4 win over the Royals.

Scott made it 18 saves on the season, but things got dicey on the way there. The left-hander loaded the bases with one out, but he induced a game-ending double play to clinch the win. The 30-year-old has converted eight straight save opportunities, though he has allowed five hits and two walks while striking out only two over his last four appearances spanning 4.1 innings.