MLB Player News

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.

Santana went 2-for-3 with a double and a two-RBI single in Sunday's loss to the Athletics.

Santana came to the plate with the bases loaded in the sixth inning and though he was unable to clear the bases, he sent Andrew Benintendi and Nicky Lopez home to tie the game at two. The first baseman is on a three-game hit streak and has eight total hits in his last five games. Santana has raised his batting average from .191 to .216 during that span.

Padlo started at first base and went 1-for-4 with a go-ahead two-run single in a win over the Angels on Saturday.

Padlo notably drew the start at first base in the second game of what is projected to likely be a multi-week absence for Ty France (forearm) and delivered a clutch knock in the sixth inning to snap a 2-2 tie. Padlo hadn't drawn a start in any of his three appearances since his promotion from Triple-A Tacoma on Monday, but he could work himself into fairly steady playing time at first base while France is on the shelf.

Kirilloff went 1-for-3 with a double and three RBI in Saturday's 6-0 win over the Rockies.

The three RBI were a season-high total for Kirilloff, who is slashing .222/.214/.370 in eight games since receiving a call-up from Triple-A St. Paul on June 17. He'll start at first base and bat fifth in Sunday's series finale, and Kirilloff should be a fixture in the Minnesota lineup while Luis Arraez continues to play regularly at second base in placed of the injured Jorge Polanco (back).

Tampa Bay optioned Aranda to Triple-A Durham on Sunday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The 24-year-old's first stint in the big leagues lasted only five days, and Aranda appeared in two games over that stretch, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Though Aranda doesn't have much left to prove in the minors, the Rays want him to play on an everyday basis, and that opportunity won't be afforded to him in Tampa Bay after shortstop Wander Franco (quadriceps) was cleared to return from the 10-day injured list Sunday.

Naylor is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Franmil Reyes' recent return from the injured list looks like it has forced Naylor into a strict strong-side platoon role after he had previously seen regular starts against both right- and left-handed pitching. With southpaw Rich Hill on the bump for the Red Sox on Sunday, the lefty-hitting Naylor will cede first base to the righty-hitting Owen Miller.

Lowe went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in a 3-2 win over the Nationals on Saturday.

The Rangers' first baseman took Josiah Gray deep to center in the bottom of the second to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead. He now has 10 home runs and 30 RBI on the season and is slashing a respectable .276/.323/.444 on the year. Lowe has hit two home runs over the past week and is on pace to break his career-best total of 18 in 2021.

Santana went 1-for-4 with a double and two runs scored in Saturday's loss against the Athletics.

Santana scored on a Cam Gallagher double in the fourth inning and a Michael Taylor homer in the eighth. The first baseman has had a rough season, starting June with a .161 batting average, but has since raised it to .207. He has 18 hits in 15 games this month, giving him a .340/.462/.528 slash line during that span. Santana will need to continue to produce to keep seeing consistent playing time, especially with several talented prospects in the Royals' farm system.