MLB Player News

Burger went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk in Friday's 8-3 loss to the Athletics.

Burger's blast forced Gage Jump's exit from the contest in the sixth inning, but it was also the extent of the Rangers' scoring. The homer ended a 15-game power drought for Burger, who went just 10-for-51 (.196) with two doubles and two RBI in that span. Despite the slump, he's holding onto a near-everyday role at first base. Burger is batting .234 with a .709 OPS, 20 homers, 71 RBI, 50 runs scored, 17 doubles and two stolen bases over 117 contests this season.

Lowe went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional RBI and an additional run scored in Friday's 7-5 loss to the Padres.

Lowe took Michael King deep in the bottom of the second inning with his 14th homer of the season, and he later plated another run with an RBI single in the third, scoring Steven Kwan. Lowe also singled and eventually scored on a wild pitch in the eighth. The homer was his 14th of the season, while the three-hit effort lifted his average to .269 and OPS to .829. Friday marked his first multi-hit performance since Aug. 6.

Murakami went 1-for-3 with a solo homer and an additional run scored during the White Sox's 9-5 win over the Tigers on Friday.

Murakami contributed to the White Sox's five-run fourth inning with a solo long ball off Jackson Jobe. It was Murakami's third homer in August and 27th of the year, which is tied with teammate Miguel Vargas for fourth-most in the American League. Murakami also has a .909 OPS, which would be the eighth highest in the majors if he had enough plate appearances to qualify.

Guerrero was removed from Friday's game against the Yankees with an apparent head injury, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Guerrero was seemingly hit in the head by George Lombard's knee while sliding into third base in the sixth inning. Guerrero managed to quickly get up and score on a throwing error, but he was wincing in pain as he jogged off the field and didn't come out on defense in the seventh. The Blue Jays will presumably evaluate him for a concussion and provide an update on his health in the near future.

Alonso is batting leadoff Friday against the Rays, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Alonso will be playing in his 1,130th career regular-season game Friday, and it will be the first time he's ever hit leadoff. The star first baseman has been one of the few bright spots for Baltimore this season, slashing .259/.353/.480 with 26 home runs, 77 RBI, 74 runs scored, five stolen bases and a 61:127 BB:K across 524 trips to the plate. Gunnar Henderson has moved down to the fifth spot in the lineup.

Burger is not in the starting lineup Thursday night against the Angels, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Burger will get a night off after he went 1-for-13 with three strikeouts and two RBI over the first three games of the series against Los Angeles. Joc Pederson will slot in at first base and bat leadoff in the series finale.

Pasquantino (wrist) went 1-for-5 at the plate Wednesday in his first rehab game with Triple-A Omaha.

After Omaha's game was rained out Tuedsday, Pasquantino began his rehab assignment a day later and played the full game at first base as he works his way back from right wrist soreness. Per MLB.com, the Royals hope to have the 28-year-old play in five games this week, which would put him on track to return from the 10-day injured list as soon as Monday. Pasquantino is slashing .232/.318/.345 with six home runs, four stolen bases, 33 RBI and 34 runs across 336 plate appearances this season.

Murakami is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Reds.

The left-handed-hitting slugger will get a day off as the Reds send southpaw Andrew Abbott to the bump. Miguel Vargas will slide over to first base, Colson Montgomery will handle third base, and Luisangel Acuna will enter the lineup at shortstop.

Velazquez went 3-for-5 with two home runs, five RBI and an additional run scored for Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday.

Velazquez extended a hit streak to six games, during which he's 10-for-26 (.385) with six home runs and 12 RBI. The Guardians addressed a need at first base at the deadline by adding Nathaniel Lowe, but Velazquez could get a look in September for a team starving for offense.

Contreras went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Blue Jays.

Contreras tied the game with a 408-foot blast off Jose Soriano in the fifth inning before walking and scoring a run in the ninth. It was the 34-year-old's first homer in eight August contests, as he entered Wednesday just 4-for-24 without an extra-base hit in the month. On the season, he's slashing .280/.390/.529 with 24 long balls, 71 RBI, 60 runs scored and three steals across 451 plate appearances.