MLB Player News

Dalbec went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base, his second of the season, in Monday's 7-2 loss to Toronto.

Dalbec got the start at first base against right-hander Kevin Gausman, which is usually Franchy Cordero's role. The decision to use Dalbec may signal a change in the playing-time situation at first base. He has a .273 average and .805 OPS since May 26; over that same stretch, Cordero is batting .221 with a .687 OPS.

Calhoun went 2-for-4 with a walk, two RBI and two runs scored in Monday's 10-4 win over Kansas City.

Calhoun is surging following a 15-game slump, during which he batted .136 (8-for-59). Over the six games since, the outfielder has matched the number of hits he had during the slump, going 8-for-23 (.348) with one home run, three doubles, six RBI and four runs scored. His season has been a roller coaster, and the ride is currently heading up.

Rizzo (elbow) expects to be in the lineup Tuesday against Oakland, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Rizzo was forced to exit Monday's game in the eighth inning after getting hit by a pitch in the elbow. However, he was diagnosed with just a bruise and is not expected to need further testing. Prior to being removed, Rizzo recorded his 20th home run and scored a pair of runs.

Rizzo exited Monday's game in the eighth inning after being hit by a pitch in the elbow, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The severity of the issue is not yet known, but Rizzo will likely get imaging done to determine whether a stint on the injured list will be required. Prior to exiting the game, Rizzo smacked a solo home run and scored twice.

Casas (ankle) began a hitting and fielding progression Monday, Steve Hewitt of the Boston Herald reports.

Casas has been out with an ankle injury since mid-May. The length of his absence means he's likely to be brought along slowly, and he still doesn't have a clear timetable, but it's still encouraging to see him trending in the right direction.

Santana isn't starting Monday's game against Baltimore.

Although Santana was traded from the Royals to the Mariners on Monday, Dylan Moore is starting at first base while Justin Upton serves as the designated hitter during the series opener against the Orioles. It's not yet clear whether Santana will be available to make his team debut off the bench.

Pasquantino, who was just called up by the Royals on Monday, won't be in the lineup right away, as it will be Hunter Dozier who starts at first base against the Rangers.

The Royals presumably didn't call Pasquantino up to keep him on the bench, so he should see his name in the starting lineup soon. The fact that he'll be on the bench here against lefty Martin Perez does raise the possibility that he's merely viewed as a platoon bat for now, though even if that's the case, the Royals don't line up to face a lefty for quite some time, so he should start regularly going forward. Per Anne Rogers of MLB.com, fears of a platoon are probably unfounded, as Pasquantino's absence from the lineup has more to do with his late arrival at the stadium after a busy day than the handedness of the opposing pitcher. He's expected to be in the lineup against both righties and lefties on a regular basis.

Pasquantino's contract was selected by the Royals on Monday.

Pasquantino has been crushing the ball for Triple-A Omaha as he waited for his first big-league opportunity, hitting .280/.372/.576 with 18 homers in 69 games while walking more than he struck out. Scouts peg his contact ability as his carrying tool, and his 12.2 percent strikeout rate this season backs that up, but he should have a fair amount of power as well. The Royals shipped Carlos Santana to the Mariners on Monday, so there should be a full-time role available for Pasquantino the rest of the way as long as he hits well enough to keep it.

The Mariners acquired Santana and cash considerations from the Royals on Monday in exchange for right-handed pitchers Wyatt Mills and William Fleming.

Santana had produced a below-average batting line in both 2020 and 2021 and looked to be set for his third straight subpar season this year, but a .357/.478/.554 run thus far in June has dragged his wRC+ up to 104. That's still a pretty uninspiring mark for a first baseman, but he should have a path to at least short-term playing time with Ty France out with a flexor strain. He could still start frequently as a designated hitter once France returns, but he's unlikely to be a particularly interesting fantasy option. The Royals called up top prospect Vinnie Pasquantino to take Santana's place on the roster and step in as Kansas City's everyday first baseman.

Guerrero went 1-for-2 with two walks and a run scored in Sunday's loss to the Brewers.

The 23-year-old appears to have found his form after what, by his standards, was a sluggish start to the season. Guerrero has reached base safely in 15 of his last 16 games, slashing .349/.446/.603 over that stretch with four doubles, four homers, 12 RBI and 14 runs.