MLB Player News

France went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's 1-0 win over the Astros.

France took Bryan Abreu deep in the seventh inning to plate the only run needed for the Reds to complete the sweep of the Astros. France hit his 12th home run of the year, matching last season's total in 37 fewer games. The 30-year-old went 9-for-11 in this Astros series, becoming the third player this season with multiple hits and an RBI in three straight games against Houston.

Diaz picked up the save Thursday against Houston, striking out one without allowing any hits or walks.

Diaz pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his first save since Aug. 13, ending a streak of eight straight appearances without a save. The 27-year-old pitched to a 7.36 ERA over those prior eight outings, but he's now pitched clean innings in back-to-back appearances. With his 25th save of the season, Diaz becomes the sixth reliever with 25 or more saves in each of the last two seasons.

Lowder did not factor into the decision Thursday against Houston, allowing four hits and four walks over 6.1 scoreless innings. He struck out three.

Lowder got through the first six innings clean before getting into trouble in the seventh but got bailed out by his bullpen. The 22-year-old picked up his first quality outing in his second career start. Lowder has thrown 10.1 innings and allowed just one earned run over his first two career starts. He's the second Reds pitcher over the last 20 seasons with 10 or more innings and no more than one earned run over his first two career starts.

Higashioka isn't in the Padres' lineup for Thursday's game against the Tigers, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Higashioka will receive a second consecutive day to rest Thursday while Elias Diaz catches for Martin Perez and bats eighth.

Gallo isn't in the Nationals' lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Gallo will take a seat for Thursday's series opener after going 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Wednesday's loss to the Marlins. Juan Yepez will start at first base instead and bat third.

Garcia is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Pittsburgh.

It's a day off for the left-handed hitting Garcia as the Pirates send southpaw Bailey Falter to the bump. The switch-hitting Ildemaro Vargas will start at second base and bat sixth in the series opener.

Abrams is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Pittsburgh.

With left-hander Bailey Falter on the hill for the Pirates, Nationals manager Dave Martinez has elected to give the left-handed hitting Abrams a day off. Nasim Nunez will draw a start at shortstop and bat ninth.

Bohm (hand) isn't in the Phillies' lineup for Thursday's game against Miami.

Bohm will be missing his sixth consecutive game as a result of inflammation in his left hand. The team still doesn't believe he'll need to spend time on the injured list, though that may change if the 28-year-old doesn't return before the end of the series. Kody Clemens will start at the hot corner Thursday and bat eighth.

Harper (elbow) will start at first base and bat third Thursday against the Marlins.

Harper had to make an early exit from Wednesday's contest after getting hit in the elbow by a pitch, but his bruise won't be enough to prevent him from playing in Thursday's series opener. Over his last 10 games, the 31-year-old slugger has gone 13-for-34 with two RBI and four runs scored.

The Phillies recalled Stevenson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

With Austin Hays set to miss at least the next week due to a kidney infection, Stevenson will return to Philadelphia to make up for the lost depth in the Phillies' outfield unit. The 27-year-old has slashed .300/.420/.483 with eight homers and 43 RBI across 393 plate appearances in Triple-A but will likely be limited to a bench role while in the majors.