MLB Player News

Casas will be on the bench against southpaw Steven Matz and the Cardinals on Saturday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Casas technically got a start against a lefty on Wednesday, but Dylan Lee was merely an opener for Atlanta on that occasion. Prior to that, Casas had sat against five straight southpaws, and it seems as though his platoon role is still in place. Given that he's hitting .180/.317/.370 overall even while largely being protected from facing same-sided pitching, it's unlikely Casas' role expands any time soon. As usual, Justin Turner will be the first baseman in his absence.

Rizzo went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Friday's 6-5 win over the Rays.

The veteran first baseman played hero for the Yankees on his own bobblehead night, taking Tampa Bay opener Trevor Kelley deep for a solo shot in the first inning before launching what proved to be the game-winning, two-run blast in the eighth off Jason Adam. Rizzo has caught fire in May, delivering six multi-hit performances in the last 10 games and batting .375 (15-for-40) with three of his eight homers on the year over that stretch.

Abreu went 1-for-5 in Friday's game against the White Sox.

Abreu returned to Guaranteed Rate Field to face his former team, tallying a two-out single in the seventh inning but otherwise putting together an unremarkable performance. Abreu has one hit in three of his last four games -- including two doubles -- but he still has a disastrous .234 wOBA and 45 wRC+ across 156 plate appearances on the season.

Dalbec was optioned to Triple-A Worcester by Boston on Friday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

It's likely that the corresponding transaction will be Pablo Reyes joining Boston on Saturday after he was acquired by the Red Sox in a trade before Friday's game. Dalbec will head back to Triple-A for now, but he figures to make several more trips between Boston and Worcester before the 2023 season comes to a close.

Naylor went 1-for-3 with a solo homer, a second run scored, two walks and a steal in Friday's loss to the Angels.

Naylor saved his only hit of the game for a big moment, briefly putting Cleveland on top with his solo shot in the eighth. He had gone 7-for-39 (.179) since his last home run April 26. He's now slashing .195/.258/.331 on the year with eight extra-base hits (four doubles, four homers) and three steals through 132 plate appearances this season.

Pasquantino is not in the lineup Friday against the Brewers.

Pasquantino went 7-for-18 (.389) with a homer and two doubles during the Royals' last series versus the White Sox, so this is presumably just a day of rest. Salvador Perez is taking a turn in the designated hitter role while Nick Pratto will cover first base against the Brewers and right-hander Corbin Burnes.

Kirilloff is out of the lineup Friday against the Cubs, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Donovan Solano is playing first base and batting second versus the Cubs and left-hander Drew Smyly. Kirilloff, a left-handed hitter, has yet to start against a southpaw since his return to the Twins' major-league roster earlier this month.

Arias is starting in right field and batting sixth for the Guardians on Friday against the Angels.

The 23-year-old has been seeing regular work in right as Will Brennan's platoon partner versus lefties since Oscar Gonzalez was sent down. Arias is slashing just .204/.278/.306 this season, which unfortunately means he fits right in with the rest of the scuffling Cleveland offense.

Lowe went 1-for-4 with a triple in Thursday's 4-0 win over Oakland.

Lowe's triple, his first of the season, extended his hitting streak to 10 games and on-base streak to 15. The first baseman has an .870 OPS during the latter, going 16-for-57 (.281) with seven extra-base hits and eight walks while knocking in nine and scoring 11 runs. The durable Lowe has played all 37 games in 2023 after appearing in 157 games each of the last two seasons.

Diaz went 1-for-5 with a double and an RBI on Thursday against the Yankees.

Diaz pulled a ball down the third base line in the fifth inning to tally an RBI double. The knock also extended his hitting streak to nine games, during which he's hit .305 with two home runs, four RBI and seven runs scored. Diaz has had a great start to the season, highlighted by a .262 ISO and .432 wOBA across 152 plate appearances.