MLB Player News

France went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Pirates.

France took Jared Jones deep in the third inning and snapped a streak of 14 games without a home run. After a hot stretch initially upon joining the Reds, France had hit a skid, slashing .200/.193/.255 with zero homers over his last 14 games. The 30-year-old has five of his 13 homers with Cincinnati to go along with a .746 OPS in 160 at-bats since joining his new team.

De La Cruz went 3-for-5 with a home run, four RBI and an additional run scored in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Pirates.

De La Cruz reached yet another milestone Saturday, becoming the youngest player in MLB history with 25 homers and 60 stolen bases in a season. He also joins Ronald Acuna and Joe Morgan as the only players with 35 doubles, 25 homers and 60 stolen bases in a season. De La Cruz tied his season high in RBI with four, with both instances coming over his last eight games.

Lowder (2-1) got the win Saturday against the Pirates, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out four over five scoreless innings.

Lowder worked in and out of trouble Saturday, including a bases-loaded jam in the fifth to close out his day. The rookie right-hander has now kept opponents off the scoreboard in three of his five career starts. The seventh overall pick in the 2023 draft lowered his ERA to 1.40 over his first 25.2 innings.

Jones (6-8) took the loss Saturday against the Reds, allowing six runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five over five innings.

The Reds pounced on Jones as he matched career highs in home runs and earned runs allowed. Jones got off to a blistering start this season, but injuries and inefficiency have plagued him of late. Since coming off the injured list Aug. 27, Jones has a 6.23 ERA in five starts, and he has seen his ERA climb to 4.14 in 117.1 innings for the season.

The Giants optioned Luciano to Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday.

Luciano will yield his spot on the active roster to Matt Chapman, who was activated from the paternity list Saturday. Luciano went 3-for-31 with a 42.4 percent strikeout rate during his 10-game stint with the Giants.

Hays (abdomen) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

Hays has been on the shelf since Sept. 5 due to a kidney infection, and he's been cleared to appear in games. It's unknown how long of a rehab stint he'll require, but it's an encouraging sign nonetheless. Hays is slashing .254/.275/.373 in 19 games with the Phillies this season.

Bailey isn't in the Giants' lineup for Saturday's game against the Royals, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Bailey will get a breather Saturday after going 1-for-4 with an RBI and two strikeouts during a win in Friday's series opener. Curt Casali will fill in behind the plate and bat ninth.

Chapman was activated from the paternity list and is part of the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Royals, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Chapman rejoins the Giants for Saturday's contest after a stint on the paternity list. He'll immediately return to the starting nine, playing third base and batting cleanup. A corresponding move has yet to be announced. Chapman is slashing .247/.329/.448 through 617 plate appearances this season.

Manager Skip Schumaker said Saturday that Garrett experienced discomfort in his elbow during his latest bullpen session, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Garrett has been on the injured list since June with a strained left forearm and recently made his third rehab appearance at Triple-A Jacksonville. However, his latest elbow setback may put a dent in his plans to return to Miami before the end of the season. The Marlins will take the lefty in for an MRI, the results of which will help determine whether he can pitch again in 2024.

Lindor (back) will go through a full series of baseball activities Saturday, but he is not expected to play until Tuesday's series opener in Atlanta at the earliest, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Lindor will wind up missing at least seven consecutive starts due to back pain. With a team off day coming Monday, the Mets will give the star shortstop some additional rest. While a Tuesday return isn't guaranteed, the fact that Lindor was cleared to resume full baseball activities this weekend is an encouraging development. In the meantime, Luisangel Acuna should continue to start at shortstop in Lindor's stead through Sunday.