MLB Player News

Kurtz went 3-for-5 with a home run, two doubles, three total runs and two total RBI in Saturday's 8-2 win over Cleveland.

All three of Kurtz's hits went for extra bases, and he knocked in both his team's first run (on a double in the fourth inning) and final run (on a solo shot in the ninth). The talented rookie is in the midst of a six-game hitting streak, going 11-for-23 with eight extra-base hits (including four homers) and eight RBI during that span. Kurtz is a serious candidate for AL Rookie of the Year honors -- he has a .270/.342/.591 slash line with 18 home runs, 47 RBI and one stolen base through 60 games.

Tellez went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run and a walk in Saturday's 4-1 win against the Tigers.

In just his second game with Texas, Tellez provided the bulk of the offense with his three-run blast to right-center field in the second inning. Though he's struggled to keep his batting average above the Mendoza Line this season, the veteran slugger has flashed plenty of power, swatting 12 home runs over 191 plate appearances, most of which came with Seattle. Tellez has started at first base in each of the Rangers' first two games coming out of the All-Star break, and he'll likely represent Texas' primary option at the position against right-handed pitching until Jake Burger (quadriceps) is ready to come off the injured list.

Tellez started at first base and went 0-for-3 in Friday's 2-0 win over Detroit.

The Rangers selected Tellez's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday and plan to use him in the mix at first base, while Jake Burger (quadriceps) is on the 10-day injured list. The lefty batter could see the majority of starts there as part of a platoon with Ezequiel Duran. Burger is eligible to return July 23.

The Rangers selected Tellez's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

With Jake Burger on the injured list with a quad injury, the Rangers will add Tellez to the active roster in order to provide some insurance at first base. The team also recalled Justin Foscue from Round Rock on Thursday, so it's possible that he and Tellez will form a platoon at first base until Burger returns.

Goldschmidt is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Atlanta.

Goldschmidt will get some extra rest coming out of the All-Star break, taking a seat for Friday's series opener. In his place, Cody Bellinger will play first base while Trent Grisham plays center field.

The Rays optioned Mead to Triple-A Durham on Friday.

The 24-year-old was called up July 11 when Brandon Lowe (oblique) was placed on the IL and will now return to Triple-A with Lowe being activated Friday. Mead has played 49 big-league games this season and has a .226/.318/.339 slash line in 132 plate appearances.

The Rangers recalled Foscue from Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Foscue is returning to the big-league club after the All-Star break as Michael Helman was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move. Foscue was sent down to Triple-A just prior to the break July 5 after not logging much playing time with the Rangers. With Jake Burger on the injured list, the Rangers could platoon Rowdy Tellez and Foscue at first base.

The Rangers are expected to call up Tellez from Triple-A Round Rock, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

He would take the roster spot vacated by Jake Burger, who landed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a left quad strain. Tellez inked a minor-league contract with the Rangers earlier this month after being released by the Mariners following a stint in Seattle that saw him slash .208/.249/.434 with 11 homers. While Burger and Joc Pederson (hand) are out, Tellez will likely see regular reps against right-handed pitching between first base and designated hitter.

The Rangers placed Burger on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a left quadriceps strain, retroactive to July 13.

Burger suffered a quad injury Friday that prevented him from starting the Rangers' final two games before the All-Star break. He'll now officially remain on the sidelines to begin the second half and will be eligible to return beginning July 23.

Kurtz went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer, a double and two runs scored in Sunday's win against Toronto.

Kurtz doubled and scored a run in the third inning before ripping a two-run shot in the fifth. After hitting one home run in his first 23 MLB contests, the rookie slugger has gone deep 16 times over his last 35 games. Kurtz hit five homers during the Athletics' nine-game homestand to close out the first half. He owns a .257/.333/.558 through 234 plate appearances.