MLB Player News
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Ben Rice 1B | NYY
Yankees' Ben Rice: Clubs clutch homer Sunday
Rice went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in a loss to the Orioles on Sunday.
Rice was hitless through four at-bats but came through when it mattered most, swatting a three-run homer in the ninth inning off Baltimore closer Craig Kimbrel to give New York a 5-3 lead. That result didn't hold, as the Orioles plated three runs in the bottom of the frame to pull out the victory, but Rice's heroics still stand out. While the rookie is batting just .228 on the campaign, he's shown a flair for the big moment, batting .280 with runners in scoring position and already adding a three-homer game to his big-league resume.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B | TOR
Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero: Homers as part of three hit day
Guerrero went 3-for-5 with a solo homer, a double and two runs scored in Sunday's 8-7 win over the Diamondbacks.
After surrendering a 7-0 lead in the fifth, Guerrero swung the momentum back in the Blue Jays direction with a monstrous solo home run to center field in the seventh to put his team back up 8-7 and the score would hold there. The home run was his first this month and his eighth three-hit performance of the year. After a blistering end to June, Guerrero has cooled off a bit in July and is slashing .229/.250/.354 with his one homer, eight RBI and seven runs scored in 50 plate appearances. He'll head into the break slashing .288/.359/.456 and leads the Blue Jays in home runs (14), RBI (55) and runs scored (47) among other batting categories.
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Ryan Mountcastle 1B | BAL
Orioles' Ryan Mountcastle: Notches third steal
Mountcastle went 1-for-5 with a stolen base in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Yankees.
Mountcastle's steal was his third of the year, putting him one shy of matching his career high. The first baseman's speed isn't notable, but he's been steady at the plate, going 10-for-40 (.250) over 10 contests in July. Overall, he's slashing .271/.311.,447 with 12 home runs, 43 RBI, 44 runs scored, 22 doubles and a triple through 88 games this season.
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Dominic Smith 1B | SF
Red Sox's Dominic Smith: Homers, drives in three
Smith went 2-for-3 with a home run, a walk and three RBI Sunday against the Royals.
Smith's second-inning two-run blast off Brady Singer gave the Red Sox an early three-run lead. He then provided insurance with an RBI single in the seventh that turned out to provide the game-winning run. It was the third multi-hit game in a week for Smith, who has added five RBI over the past two games. However, his days as the regular starter at first base appear to be numbered as Triston Casas (ribs) is beginning to prepare for a rehab assignment and is hoping to return to the Red Sox lineup by the end of the month.
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Anthony Rizzo 1B | NYY
Yankees' Anthony Rizzo: Limited to weight-room activities
Rizzo continues to be restricted in his recovery from a fracture of his right forearm, as he's currently limited to activities in the weight room, MLB.com reports.
Rizzo said he'd be unable to resume baseball activities for 4-to-5 weeks following his placement on the injured list June 18, so it's not a surprise that he hasn't yet begun to ramp up. The veteran slugger said Friday that he's "feeling good" and that the forearm has "progressed a lot" while acknowledging that he still has "some pain." While Rizzo has been out of action, rookie Ben Rice has stepped up to assume an everyday role at first base.
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Ty France 1B | TOR
Mariners' Ty France: Getting Sunday off
France is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.
Mariners manager Scott Servais will give France an early head start on the All-Star break after the 30-year-old had started each of the last six games while going 6-for-25 with three doubles, two RBI and one run. Luke Raley will fill in for France at first base.
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Mark Canha LF | KC
Tigers' Mark Canha: Hopes to return after break
Canha (wrist) said Sunday that he will rest and do treatment over the All-Star break and hopes to be able to play in Detroit's first game of the second half next Friday in Toronto, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Canha exited Saturday's 11-9 extra-inning win over the Dodgers early due to a sore wrist and isn't in the lineup for Sunday's series finale, though Jason Beck of MLB.com notes that the veteran is available in an emergency situation. Canha doesn't look like he'll need a trip to the injured list, especially with the extra rest afforded by the All-Star break.
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Andrew Vaughn 1B | MIL
White Sox's Andrew Vaughn: Not starting Sunday
Vaughn isn't in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh.
Vaughn will get a breather in Chicago's final game before the All-Star break as the White Sox go up against Pirates righty Mitch Keller. Gavin Sheets is batting fifth and playing first base in Vaughn's stead Sunday, while Eloy Jimenez is serving as the designated hitter.
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Mark Canha LF | KC
Tigers' Mark Canha: Not in lineup Sunday
Canha (wrist) isn't in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Canha was removed for a pinch hitter in Saturday's contest due to a sore wrist and will begin Sunday's game on the bench. It isn't clear if he's available to pinch hit. Sunday is the final day before the All-Star break, so Canha will have an opportunity to recover before Detroit's next game Friday, July 19.
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Dominic Smith 1B | SF
Red Sox's Dominic Smith: Knocks in two in win
Smith went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 5-0 win over the Royals.
Smith singled and scored in the second inning then plated two runs an inning later. He's batting just .226 since joining the Red Sox but has been better of late, going 11-for-38 (.289) over the last 13 games. Smith remains the primary first baseman, starting against righties, but his role should change soon after the All-Star break. Injured first baseman Triston Casas (ribs) has started to hit baseballs again and could return in the second half of the month.