MLB Player News

Mountcastle isn't starting Friday against the Royals, Cordell Woodland of 105.7 The Fan Baltimore reports.

Mountcastle has been in a cold spell at the plate recently, slashing .133/.188/.133 across the past seven days. His slump will cost him a start for the second time in the last three games, as Anthony Santander will take over at first base for Mountcastle. Ryan McKenna will start in right field and bat ninth.

Diaz (hip) is back in the Rays' lineup for Friday's game against the Rangers.

Diaz didn't start the last two contests while dealing with a minor hip issue, but he's ready to roll for the first game of a series featuring two first-place clubs. He'll be at first base and hitting leadoff versus Andrew Heaney.

Kirilloff is not in the lineup for Friday's contest in Toronto.

The Blue Jays are starting lefty Yusei Kikuchi, so Kirilloff will begin this one on the bench. Donovan Solano is at first base and batting leadoff.

Casas went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's loss to the Guardians.

Casas now has two multi-hit games over his last three contests. The young first baseman has had a rough start to 2023 after a difficult rookie campaign, slashing just .201/.322/.385 through 202 plate appearances with seven homers and 18 RBI, but he is batting .262 (11-for-42) over his last 12 contests with six extra-base hits.

Vaughn isn't in the White Sox's lineup for Game 2 of their doubleheader against the Yankees.

After going 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in Game 1, Vaughn will get a breather during the second game. Jake Burger will fill in at first base and bat sixth.

Naylor went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Red Sox.

Naylor has gone 14-for-26 (.538) with a home run, six doubles and 11 RBI since May 30. He had a rough stretch in April, but he's been fairly reliable since, a rare source of consistency in the Guardians' soft-hitting lineup. The first baseman has a .270/.324/.459 slash line with eight home runs, four stolen bases, 43 RBI, 20 run scored and 11 doubles through 53 games.

Diaz is dealing with a minor hip issue but is available off the bench Thursday against the Twins and expects to return to the lineup Friday versus the Rangers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The hip issue explains why Diaz is out of the lineup Thursday for the second day in a row. The positive news is it doesn't appear to be a long-term concern. Tampa Bay is rolling with Luke Raley at first base Thursday.

Diaz is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Diaz isn't dealing with any known injury, but this is the second straight game he's been out of the lineup. He did battle a groin issue a few weeks ago, for what it's worth. Luke Raley is at first base Thursday.

Mountcastle is out of the lineup Wednesday versus Milwaukee.

Mountcastle will sit for the second time in four games, and he has gone just 2-for-11 in his three games in June. Ryan O'Hearn will line up at first base and hit seventh against Corbin Burnes and the Brewers.

Noda went 2-for-4 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's victory over the Pirates.

Noda now has four multi-hit performances in his last five games, going 8-for-18 (.444) in that span. He extended Oakland's lead to 8-3 Wednesday with a homer off Luis Ortiz, his seventh of the year and third in his last 10 contests. Overall, the 27-year-old Noda is slashing .255/.415/.473 with 32 runs scored, 23 RBI and two stolen bases through 212 plate appearances in his rookie campaign.