MLB Player News

Cron went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Orioles.

He's taking advantage of the regular playing time he's been getting lately while Luis Valbuena mans third base, and Cron is now hitting .385 (10-for-26) in seven August games with two homers and eight RBI. With regular third baseman Yunel Escobar (oblique) potentially sidelined until the end of the month, Cron will get a chance to stake his claim to the starting first-base job on a full-time basis.

Cron went 2-for-3 with two RBI against the Orioles on Tuesday.

He's offered a reliable bat -- although in non-everyday playing time -- since being called back up from Triple-A in July. Over 53 at-bats in that span, Cron has hit .302/.351/.566 with four homers and 13 RBI. The solid run has lifted his season average to .240, but the 27-year-old still possesses only middling upside in the fantasy realm.

Olson was recalled from Triple-A Nashville ahead of Tuesday's series opener against the Mariners.

As expected, Olson will rejoin the big club following the departure of Yonder Alonso. The 23-year-old, who was slashing .272/.367/.568 with 23 homers for Nashville this season, is expected to take over as the primary first baseman against right-handed pitchers moving forward. He had some trouble in his earlier stint with the A's, hitting just .196 with 22 strikeouts in 51 at-bats, but he may be worth a look in AL-only or deeper mixed leagues for those in need of a power boost.

Calhoun went 3-for-5 with a double, two runs and an RBI in Sunday's 11-10 loss to Oakland.

Calhoun came in batting just .206 against southpaws but went 2-for-2 with a double against left-handed starter Sean Manaea. He has produced multi-hit efforts in three consecutive starts to open the month of August after failing to achieve that feat in any of his last 16 July games. This hot streak has done little to improve Calhoun's ugly .241/.318/.376 line, though.

Cron will start at first base and bat cleanup Sunday against the Athletics, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Cron will pick up his second start of the series with lefty Sean Manaea on the mound, resulting in Luis Valbuena heading to the bench. Though Cron had batted seventh his last time out Friday, he'll move up a couple spots as the Angels look to cluster more of their right-handed bats at the top of the order.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin said that Olson will be recalled from Triple-A Nashville ahead of Tuesday's series opener against the Mariners, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The Athletics opened up a roster spot for Olson by trading Yonder Alonso to Seattle earlier Sunday, but the 23-year-old wouldn't have been able to join the big club in California in time for the series finale against the Angels later in the day. Once Olson rejoins the Athletics, Melvin said that an everyday spot against right-handed pitching would be opened up for the rookie, who had been deserving of a lengthier look at the big-league level after batting .272 with 40 extra-base hits (23 home runs) at Nashville this season. Contact issues remain a concern for Olson and could depress his batting average with the Athletics -- as was the case in his 60 plate appearances with the club earlier this season -- but he might be worth a look for AL-only or deeper mixed-league teams in need of a power boost.

Cooper was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Cooper was demoted following a roster crunch due to the Todd Frazier trade, but with Matt Holliday (back) now out of commission, the 26-year-old will return to the big leagues to add some more depth. Based on the current roster construction, it seems like he could move into a platoon at the designated hitter spot potentially with the likes of Jacoby Ellsbury, although Cooper's high strikeout rate and 6-for-25 showing in the Bronx earlier this season could relegate him to bench duty until Holliday returns.

Santana went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during Saturday's loss to the Yankees.

With six homers over his past 12 games, Santana has kick-started a long-awaited power outburst. He's buoyed his fantasy value with 59 RBI and 65 runs, but his .245 batting average and 16 homers are underwhelming marks. A strong conclusion to the season is well within reach, and Santana has the potential to make up for lost time in a hurry.

Abreu went 1-for-4 with a double and a run in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Red Sox.

Abreu is a lonely name in the middle of a White Sox batting order chock full of unknowns, struggling youngsters and utility infielders. Without much of supporting cast, he's easily pitched around and has just three home runs and 10 RBI over his last 24 games. That's a home run every eight games and an RBI every 2.4 games. Compare that to the first 82 contests, when he averaged a homer every 5.1 games and an RBI every 1.4 games. The hope is that guys like Yoan Moncada and Tim Anderson start hitting and Avisail Garcia produces once he returns from a thumb injury.

Gillaspie (toe) was activated from the 7-day DL at Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago reports.

A first-round pick in 2014 (20th overall), Gillaspie saw his stock crash after batting .227/.296/.357 at Triple-A Durham this season as a 24-year-old. He was shipped out by the Rays in exchange for reliever Dan Jennings prior to the trade deadline. Those in dynasty leagues would be wise not to bet on this reclamation project panning out.