MLB Player News

Pasquantino will serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup against the Tigers on Friday, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Dave Holtzman of Bally Sports Kansas City notes that Pasquantino will become the first Royals player to bat cleanup within his first three starts since Joe Vitiello in 1995. Pasquantino is hitless through his first two big-league games (0-for-5), but he showed off his eye at the plate and patience with a couple walks Wednesday. He slugged .576 with Triple-A Omaha prior to his call-up.

Rizzo went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Thursday's loss to Houston.

The Yankees were mostly stifled by Astros pitching in the loss, but Rizzo ensured that they didn't get shut out with his solo blast off Luis Garcia in the sixth inning. The long ball was just his second hit over his past 27 at-bats, though both of those knocks have left the yard. Rizzo finished June with a .234/.357/.553 slash line along with 10 homers, 22 RBI and three stolen bases over 27 contests.

Raley was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Friday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports

Raley appeared in two games and went 1-for-7 with an RBI and a run after being recalled June 21. He figures to rejoin the Rays at some point as a depth outfielder.

Abreu went 4-for-4 Wednesday against the Angels.

Abreu accounted for four of the White Sox's seven hits, all of which were singles. He has collected multiple knocks in five of his last nine starts, also delivering three RBI and six runs scored in that span. The impressive stretch has improved Abreu's line to .284/.375/.451 across 317 plate appearances on the season.

Kirilloff went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and a double in Wednesday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Guardians.

Kirilloff got the Twins on the board with his sixth-inning blast off Guardians starter Cal Quantrill. In 12 games since rejoining the big-league roster, Kirilloff is 13-for-40 (.325) with a homer, five doubles, 12 RBI and five runs scored. A pair of three-hit efforts in his last two games has helped to lift his season slash line to .261/.293/.377 in 75 plate appearances. His homer Wednesday was his first of the year.

Naylor went 1-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Wednesday's 7-6 extra-inning win over the Twins.

Naylor had a sacrifice fly in the third inning and a walkoff two-run homer in the 10th. The first baseman has gone 14-for-48 (.292) in his last 13 contests, adding two homers and six doubles in that span. For the season, he's maintained a solid .271/.328/.492 slash line with nine long balls, 41 RBI, 22 runs scored and a stolen base through 50 games while filling the strong side of a platoon at first base.

Vaughn isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Angels.

Vaughn went just 1-for-18 with a double, two runs and two RBI in the last five games, and he'll be out of the lineup for the first time since June 8. Gavin Sheets is serving as the designated hitter while Leury Garcia starts in right field.

Padlo was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday.

Padlo started in just two games during his time on the Mariners' active roster, and he'll head to the minors after Seattle traded for Carlos Santana on Monday. Over 42 games at the Triple-A level this year, the 25-year-old has slashed .240/.329/.487 with 10 homers, 26 runs, 25 RBI and seven stolen bases.

The Mariners optioned Ellis to Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday.

Ellis was dropped from the 26-man active roster to make room for first baseman/designated hitter Carlos Santana, whom the Mariners acquired from the Royals on Monday. During his three-day stay with Seattle, Ellis appeared in one game and went 1-for-3.

Rizzo is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics.

Rizzo exited late in Monday's win over Oakland after he was hit in the right elbow by a pitch, but he was able to start at first base in Tuesday's 2-1 victory, finishing 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. The Yankees haven't indicated that Rizzo's elbow is still bothering him, so his absence Wednesday looks to be the result of the two teams playing a day game after a night game. DJ LeMahieu will cover first base in Rizzo's stead.