MLB Player News

France (calf) went 0-for-2 with a strikeout in Saturday's loss to the Guardians before being ejected in the bottom of the fifth inning for arguing balls and strikes.

France was making his return from a one-game absence due to a calf bruise, but he got only about half his usual allotment of at-bats. The Associated Press reports France was unhappy with the called third strike that ended his second plate appearance in the fourth inning and argued with plate umpire Lance Barrett immediately thereafter, and while coming back to the dugout at the conclusion of the top of the fifth as well. Assuming he had no residual effects with the calf from his time on the field Saturday, France is likely to be back in the lineup for Sunday afternoon's series finale.

France (calf) will bat fifth and play first base Saturday against the Guardians.

France left Thursday's series opener with a bruised right calf and didn't start Friday's game, though he did appear off the bench. He'll be involved from the start this time around and will be looking to drag himself out of a slump that has seen him hit .089/.145/.089 over his last 15 games.

Calhoun will sit for the third straight game Saturday against the Tigers.

It's possible the Rangers are prioritizing giving at-bats to younger players down the stretch in the lost season, though the last two of Calhoun's absences have come against lefties like Saturday's starter Eduardo Rodriguez, so it's too early to say that the veteran has been benched. Whatever the reason, it will be Bubba Thompson who starts in left field on this occasion.

Pratto went 2-for-4 with a double and a two-run home run in Friday's loss to the Padres.

Pratto knocked in Michael Taylor on a two-run shot in the fourth inning for his fourth homer of the year and his third this month. The first baseman picked up his first hits since Aug. 13 and is batting 9-for-63 (.143) this month. Pratto has struggled to find consistency since getting called up in mid-July. He is slashing just .176/.271/.373 across 34 games this season.

Lowe went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's victory over the Tigers.

Lowe launched a solo shot in the first inning to kick off the scoring in Friday's contest. It was his 21st homer of the year, his sixth home run of the month and his fourth in his last five games. Lowe has been on a tear lately, going 6-for-13 in his last three games and 36-for-93 (.387) for the month. Since Aug. 1, the first baseman has increased his batting average from .280 to .298.

Diaz went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a double, a second run scored, a walk and a stolen base in Friday's 9-8 win over Boston.

Diaz wasted no time putting the Rays on the board, taking Michael Wacha deep on the first pitch of the contest. The 31-year-old infielder later doubled and scored in the third inning and stole second base after a walk in the fifth. Diaz is slashing .280/.389/.412 with 36 extra-base hits and 59 runs scored through 112 games. He has gone 15-for-42 (.357) with 11 RBI over his last 11 games.

Rizzo isn't starting Friday against the Athletics.

Rizzo will get a day off after going 5-for-15 with three runs, an RBI, two walks and five strikeouts over the last four games. DJ LeMahieu is shifting to first base while Gleyber Torres starts at the keystone.

France (calf) isn't starting Friday against the Guardians.

France was removed from Thursday's series opener against Cleveland due to a right calf bruise and will be out of the lineup for at least one game. Carlos Santana is starting at first base and batting fifth.

Calhoun is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Tigers.

Calhoun will sit for the second straight game after taking a seat in Wednesday's contest versus the Rockies as well. Bubba Thompson will start in left field and bat ninth against Detroit.

Guerrero went 2-for-5 with a walk, a run scored and two RBI in Thursday's extra-inning win over the Red Sox.

The first baseman continues a surge at the plate that started just before the All-Star break. Guerrero has hit safely in 30 of his last 33 games, slashing .333/.383/.558 over that stretch with six homers, a surprising four steals, 22 RBI and 24 runs.