MLB Player News

Schaunul has been promoted to Double-A Rocket City, Taylor Blake Ward of The Sporting Tribune reports.

It's quite the rapid rise for Schaunul, who less than three weeks ago was taken by the Angels with the 11th overall pick in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft. Schaunul had played just five games between the Angels' Arizona Coast League affiliate and Low-A Inland Empire, going 7-for-14 with a double and a 1:5 K:BB. A debut in 2023 almost surely isn't happening, but Schanuel could be on track to reach the majors early in 2024, especially considering the team's struggles to find a reliable first-base option this season.

Diaz (groin) will return to the lineup Friday at designated hitter, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Diaz tweaked his left groin during Tuesday's game versus the Marlins and then sat out Wednesday. An MRI didn't reveal anything serious, though, and he's at least ready to hit Friday following Thursday's off day. Diaz is sporting a .391 OBP since June 1, but his early-season power binge has mostly evaporated as he's hit only two home runs since that date.

Naylor went 2-for-4 with two doubles, three RBI and a run scored in Thursday's win over the White Sox.

Naylor extended the Guardians' lead to 3-0 with a two-run double in the third inning before driving in a third run with another two-bagger in the seventh. The 26-year-old is batting .355 (43-for-121) over his last 30 games with seven home runs and a 1.019 OPS. His slash line on the year is up to .304/.345/.504 with 15 homers, 79 RBI, 41 runs scored and six steals across 369 plate appearances.

Vaughn isn't in the White Sox's lineup Thursday against Cleveland, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Vaughn is 2-for-8 with two RBI since returning from a foot injury that kept him out for five games. He'll catch a breather Thursday as Yasmani Grandal fills in at first base, allowing Seby Zavala to start behind the dish.

Arias went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's 8-3 win over Kansas City.

Making his first start since July 21, Arias tallied a pair of hits, snapping an 0-for-20 stretch that dated back to June 21, while logging his first stolen base of the year. The 23-year-old Arias is now slashing just .188/.295/.306 with four homers, 15 runs scored and six RBI across 166 plate appearances this season. While Arias hasn't provided much offensively, he should see an uptick in playing time following Amed Rosario's trade to the Dodgers.

Noda (jaw) has been cleared to begin hitting again while donning a batting helmet, the Associated Press reports.

Manager Mark Kotsay labeled the latest benchmark in Noda's recovery from a fractured jaw "a good sign" and added that the rookie is set for another evaluation with his oral surgeon next week. Noda's ability to begin taking batting practice again should help him preserve some timing, although he's likely to require a rehab assignment before his eventual activation.

Casas went 2-for-2 with a solo home run and two walks in a 5-3 win against Atlanta on Wednesday.

Casas' perfect day at the plate included a seventh-inning solo shot off Spencer Strider that cut Atlanta's lead to a single run. The Boston first baseman has collected multiple hits in four of his past five contests, going 9-for-16 (.563 average) with three home runs, six RBI and a 5:4 BB:K during that span. While Casas' .253 season batting average is nothing to shout about, he's maintained a .360 OBP on the strength of an excellent 14.9 percent walk rate and has blasted 15 long balls, six of which have come in his past 11 games.

Lowe went 2-for-4 with a home run, two walks, three RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 13-5 win over the Astros.

Lowe got the Rangers on the board with a two-run homer in the third inning, then drew a bases-loaded walk to force in a run in the fifth. He's been consistent at the plate since the All-Star break, hitting safely in 11 of 12 games while batting .429 (18-for-42) over that span. The first baseman has 12 homers, 57 RBI, 69 runs scored, 27 doubles and two triples while slashing .286/.380/.455 through 102 games overall.

Lester cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

He's no longer on the 40-man roster, but Lester has accepted the outright assignment and will remain in the organization. The 29-year-old has an .827 OPS with 15 home runs at Norfolk this season.

O'Hearn is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

With left-hander Ranger Suarez taking the bump for the Phillies, the lefty-hitting O'Hearn will unsurprisingly retreat to the bench. Ryan Mountcastle will replace O'Hearn at first base in the series finale.