MLB Player News
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Nick Kurtz 1B | ATH
Athletics' Nick Kurtz: Exits after HBP
Kurtz was removed from Wednesday's game against the Red Sox after getting hit on the forearm by a pitch, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Kurtz initially remained in the game after taking a 95-mph sinker off his left arm in the first inning, but he was replaced in the field at the start of the second frame. The A's have officially diagnosed him with a contusion, per Gallegos, which suggests that Kurtz managed to escape the incident without suffering a fracture. Jeff McNeil entered the game as Kurtz's replacement at first base and would be the favorite to start if the latter needs to miss time.
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Spencer Torkelson 1B | DET
Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: Clubs homer No. 20
Torkelson went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 10-9, extra-innings loss to the Orioles.
After the Tigers blew a 7-0 lead in what could end up being Tarik Skubal's final start for the team, Torkelson kept his squad alive by taking Rico Garcia deep in the 11th inning to tie the game at 9-9 before the O's eventually prevailed. It was Torkelson's 20th homer of the season and his fourth in 13 games since the All-Star break, a stretch in which he's batting .222 (10-for-45) with eight runs and 11 RBI.
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Vinnie Pasquantino 1B | KC
Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino: Back on IL with sore wrist
The Royals placed Pasquantino on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to right wrist soreness.
Pasquantino will head to the IL for the second time this season due to an injury related to his right hand, as he previously underwent surgery June 14 to remove a fractured hamate bone. The 28-year-old doesn't appear to be dealing with as serious of an injury this time around, but he'll be unavailable until at least Aug. 8 while he waits for his wrist to heal. Salvador Perez and Jac Caglianone will likely serve as the main replacements at first base for Pasquantino in the short term, and Nick Loftin could become an option at the position when third baseman Maikel Garcia (hand) completes his rehab assignment and returns from the 10-day IL.
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Vinnie Pasquantino 1B | KC
Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino: Not included in lineup Wednesday
Pasquantino (hand) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins.
Pasquantino was lifted in the ninth inning of Tuesday's 3-2 loss after dealing with soreness in his right hand, the same one he had surgery on in mid-June to address a hamate fracture. Per MLB.com, the Royals planned to evaluate Pasquantino further Wednesday, but it's not yet clear if he'll need to miss more than one start. Salvador Perez will fill in for Pasquantino at first base.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B | TOR
Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero: Absent from Wednesday's lineup
Guerrero (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Nationals.
Guerrero exited Tuesday's 8-6 loss in the fourth inning due to right hamstring tightness, and with the Blue Jays wrapping up their series in Washington with a day game after a night game, it's no surprise he'll be on the bench. On a positive note, manager John Schneider told Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca that Guerrero is "feeling better" compared to Tuesday and is "probably available to pinch hit," if needed. With a team off day looming Thursday, the Blue Jays may prefer to stay away from Guerrero on Wednesday with the hope that he's ready to return to the lineup in Friday's series opener against the Cardinals.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B | TOR
Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero: Expected to sit Wednesday
Guerrero (hamstring) is unlikely to play Wednesday against the Nationals, Ian Quillen of MLB.com reports.
The Blue Jays have a scheduled day off Thursday, so Guerrero would get extra time to recover from the right hamstring tightness that caused him to exit Tuesday's loss in the fourth inning. The fact that Toronto is well out of the playoff picture provides less incentive to rush him back into the lineup as well. Kazuma Okamoto, who came off the bench to replace Guerrero on Tuesday, could slide across the diamond to fill in for him again Wednesday.
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Kyle Manzardo 1B | CLE
Guardians' Kyle Manzardo: Belts first career grand slam
Manzardo started at first base and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a grand slam in a 6-5 win in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Reds. He went 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter in the nightcap.
Manzardo belted his 12th homer of the season and first career grand slam in the first inning, and it nearly didn't happen. A call that he'd been hit by a pitch was overturned on review prior to Manzardo going deep. It turned out to be the key contribution in Cleveland snapping a five-game losing streak. The slumping first baseman entered the day with a .154 average (4-for-26) and 12 strikeouts since the break and is batting just .210 for the season. With the team in the hunt for a division title or wild-card playoff spot, it may scour the market for a first baseman; Guardians first basemen are hitting a league-low .194 with 13 homers (t-23rd) and 45 RBI (27th).
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Christian Walker 1B | HOU
Astros' Christian Walker: Slaps 21st homer in win
Walker went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Angels.
Walker put Houston in front by taking Reid Detmers deep for a solo shot in the fourth inning, his 21st home run of the season. The blast snapped a 14-game homer drought for the veteran first baseman. Walker has started the second half batting 6-for-28 (.214) over nine games. For the season, he's slashing .235/.311/.455 with 21 home runs, 20 doubles, one triple, 62 RBI and 52 runs scored across 105 games.
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Vinnie Pasquantino 1B | KC
Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino: Battling hand soreness
Pasquantino was removed from Tuesday's game against the Twins with right hand soreness.
Pasquantino's hand forced him out of Tuesday's contest in the ninth inning after he'd gone 0-for-3 with a strikeout. If his injury causes him to sit out additional games, Jac Caglianone would likely take over as Kansas City's first baseman while Tyler Tolbert mans right field.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B | TOR
Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero: Exits with hamstring tightness
Guerrero was removed from Tuesday's game against the Nationals due to right hamstring tightness, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
The severity of Guerrero's injury is unclear, but the Blue Jays may provide an update on his status after the game. With Lenyn Sosa (wrist) on the injured list, Kazuma Okamoto would likely cover first base if Guerrero were to miss any games, clearing the way for Luis Urias to start in the infield.