MLB Player News

Vaughn isn't starting Thursday against Detroit, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Vaughn is getting a day off after he hit .222 with a homer, a double, five RBI and four runs over the last six games. Gavin Sheets is serving as the designated hitter, while AJ Pollock starts in right field.

Rizzo (back) isn't starting Thursday's game against the Red Sox.

Rizzo will be out of the lineup for a third consecutive game after he was scratched Tuesday due to lower-back stiffness. He hasn't appeared in either of the last two games, but it's not yet clear whether he could be available off the bench for Thursday's series opener in Boston.

Mountcastle (illness) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Thursday's game against the Angels, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

He'll be back in action after a two-game absence caused by a sinus issue. With Mountcastle returning to the lineup, Ryan McKenna will move back to a bench role after starting in four of the previous six contests.

General manager Jerry Dipoto said that France (elbow) will be reinstated from the 10-day injured list at some point during the Mariners' four-game series with the Blue Jays and could be activated as soon as Thursday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Before he was diagnosed in late June with a Grade 2 flexor strain of his left elbow, France had made a strong case for his first All-Star nod. In 70 games with Seattle, France compiled a .316/.390/.476 slash line while slugging 10 home runs and driving in 45. Though he hasn't been sent out for a minor-league rehab assignment, France has apparently shown steady improvement during workouts in the last several days and looks to be on the cusp of rejoining the Seattle lineup. Whenever he's officially cleared to play again, France should step into an everyday role at either first base or designated hitter, which will leave fewer opportunities available for the likes of Abraham Toro and Justin Upton.

Gurriel is out of the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Royals, likely due to an undisclosed injury, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Gurriel will be on the bench for a second straight contest, and though the Astros haven't provided an explanation behind the back-to-back absences, the 38-year-old is presumably dealing with a physical concern. J.J. Matijevic gets the start at first base in Gurriel's stead and bats sixth in the series finale.

Vaughn went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and two runs scored Wednesday against the Twins.

Vaughn smacked the game-tying homer in the eighth inning to record his eighth long ball of the season. It was his first home run since June 20 -- a span of 13 homerless starts -- and he hit just .182 with five RBI and five runs scored in that span. Despite the slow stretch, Vaughn still has a .298/.346/.455 line across 266 plate appearances for the season.

Diaz went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored in Wednesday's victory over the Red Sox.

He scored on a Wander Franco single in the first inning and on a Randy Arozarena double in the third. Diaz extended his hit streak to 11 games with Wednesday's two-hit outing, and he has eight multi-hit performances during that span with just two strikeouts. During that time, Diaz increased his batting average from .257 to .295, and he's slashing .500/.594/.654 across seven games in July.

Kirilloff, who left Wednesday's game in the top of the seventh inning after he was involved in a collision with White Sox first baseman Andrew Vaughn, was said to be OK after the game, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Kirilloff was shaken up after the play but apparently did not suffer an injury. He may have been removed for a defensive replacement and pinch runner after reaching first base even if he avoided the collision.

Clemens went 2-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's win over the Guardians.

Spencer Torkelson (head) returned recently and is seeing regular run at first base, but Clemens has now started at second and third in the past few days. He's gone deep three times over his past seven contests, so while he might not have a clear path to playing time at first, the 26-year-old could carve out a utility role if he keeps hitting for power.

Mountcastle (illness) will remain out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers, but he's hopeful to start in Thursday's series opener against the Angels, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Though he'll be on the bench for the second game in a row while he battles a sinus issue, Mountcastle was at least able to take part in a pregame workout Wednesday. Mountcastle took approximately 30 swings and but was still feeling somewhat woozy afterward, according to Kubatko, which may have prompted the Orioles to exercise some extra caution with the 25-year-old. The first baseman is expected to be available off the bench, per Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com.