MLB Player News

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Casas (ribs) will begin swinging a bat this week, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Casas underwent an MRI on Tuesday and is apparently ready to take the next step. He had been lightly swinging a bat but never graduated to swinging with full force. Cora said the team will reveal more details Wednesday. Casas is targeting a return from the 60-day injured list at the start of July, which might be too ambitious.

Guerrero went 2-for-5 with two doubles, a run scored and four RBI in Tuesday's 9-4 win over the Red Sox.

He did get charged with two errors, but Guerrero made up for his fielding gaffes with two-run doubles in the third and fourth innings. The first baseman is red hot, slashing .349/.364/.628 over the last 10 games with three doubles, three homers and 10 RBI.

Mountcastle went 3-for-5 with a double and one run scored in Tuesday's 10-8 loss to the Guardians.

Mountcastle has four multi-hit efforts over his last seven games, going 11-for-28 (.393) in that span. While he hasn't hit a homer since June 7, he's still been consistent at the plate while occupying a starting role at first base. The 27-year-old is slashing .281/.325/.476 with 11 homers, 39 RBI, 43 runs scored, 21 doubles, one triple and two stolen bases over 74 games this season.

Diaz went 1-for-5 with a solo home run Tuesday against the Mariners.

Diaz led off the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run, continuing his excellent run of recent production. He has gone deep three times in his last six starts and also has at least one RBI in seven straight games. Diaz also extended his hitting streak to 18 games, during which he's hit .358.

France went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Tuesday's 11-3 loss to the Rays.

France singled in the third inning and hit a 427-foot two-run home run in the fifth. He had been mired in a 1-for-20 slump since returning from the IL with a heel injury June 18, and the homer was his first since May 31. On the season, the first baseman is hitting .238 with eight home runs and 29 RBI over 269 plate appearances.

Soderstrom is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Angels.

Soderstrom will head to the bench for the first time since June 5, and he posted a .279/.353/.557 slash line with five homers and 12 RBI during that 18-game stretch. Tyler Nevin is starting at first base against lefty Tyler Anderson on Tuesday.

Vaughn is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers.

Vaughn will be out of the lineup for the first time since dealing with a finger injury at the start of June, giving way to Gavin Sheets at first base Tuesday. After logging a seven-game hit streak, Vaughn has gone 0-for-8 in his last two games.

Rice is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mets.

With J.D. Davis joining the Yankees roster, Rice is expected to enter the strong side of a platoon with Davis at first base. Rice will take a seat Tuesday for the first time since being called up June 18 as the Mets trot out southpaw David Peterson.

Naylor is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Orioles.

Naylor will get his first day off since May 22, avoiding a matchup with lefty Cole Irvin on Tuesday. Gabriel Arias will bat eighth and play first base.

Pasquantino went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Monday in a 4-1 win against the Marlins.

Pasquantino put the Royals on the board in the fourth inning with his solo blast to right field. It was the first baseman's first long ball since the first day of June, a span of 20 contests. While Pasquantino hasn't been able to hit the ball over the fence regularly this season, he does have 20 doubles (tied for 10th in the majors) and has already blown away his previous season-best mark with 47 RBI through 76 games.