MLB Player News

Gurriel went 2-for-4 with a sixth-inning grand slam in Houston's 7-2 win over Miami on Monday.

Gurriel won't generate home runs like a prototypical first baseman; he averaged 16.6 homers in 15 seasons in Cuba. His swing is tailored more to gap power, but he'll run into about a dozen or so during a season. Monday's bomb was his third of the season and sixth in 70 games since coming to the States.

Calhoun went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer in Monday's 5-3 win over the White Sox.

It was a much-needed long ball for Calhoun, who came into the game with just two hits in his previous six contests. It was his fifth home run of the season, but he's still slashing just .226/.298/.355. That said, with Yunel Escobar (hamstring) on the disabled list, Calhoun could flourish in the leadoff spot hitting ahead of Mike Trout and Albert Pujols.

Abreu went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in Monday's 5-3 loss to the Angels.

The long ball was his sixth of the year and first since May 6, but he's also swatted four of his six homers this month. After getting out to a cold start, Abreu is up to a .263/.333/.466 line with 19 RBI in 147 plate appearances. He should easily eclipse the 20-homer mark again if he stays healthy.

Nash (suspension) is back in action for High-A Winston-Salem and has gone 5-for-9 with two homers through his first three games since returning.

Nash missed the first 50 games of the season to a suspension for testing positive for an amphetamine. While Nash has put up solid numbers with High-A Winston-Salem over the past two seasons (.273 with 13 homers through 154 at-bats), he hasn't progressed past the Double-A level and may never do so.

Santana went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during Sunday's win over Minnesota.

After leading off all season, Santana was dropped to the five-hole Sunday, and Jason Kipnis batted first. Kipnis hit two home runs and Santana hit his fourth of the season, so the swap might stick. Considering Santana's underwhelming start to the year, being relegated down the lineup could be the catalyst for an uptick in production without sacrificing much fantasy upside. He'll certainly be in line for more RBI opportunities while batting in the middle of the lineup.

Cron (foot) was activated from the 10-day disabled list, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports. He'll start at first base and bat sixth in the lineup Sunday against the Tigers.

Cron rejoins the Angels following a three-game rehab assignment at Triple-A Salt Lake, during which he went 5-for-12 with a home run and two doubles. With Luis Valbuena beating him back from the disabled list, Cron looks bound to settle for the small side of a platoon at first base, though both will be in Sunday's lineup with designated hitter Albert Pujols (personal) unavailable.

Santana will bat fifth in the order and man first base in Sunday's game against the Twins, Zack Meisel of Cleveland.com reports.

The lefty-hitting Jason Kipnis (.346 average in 26 at-bats) has enjoyed some success against Twins southpaw Hector Santiago, so perhaps in recognition of that, manager Terry Francona will move Kipnis up to the leadoff spot while Santana drops in the order. Santana has been stuck in a 1-for-13 slump over the last four games, but it's unlikely that Francona will completely pull the plug on him as the Tribe's table setter.

Calhoun was moved down to fifth in the batting order Friday, going 2-for-3 with a stolen base and a run in a win over the Tigers.

Manager Mike Scioscia wanted to shake up his lineup in order to spark a slumping offense, and it worked Friday. Moving out of a favorable spot in front of Mike Trout will result in tougher at-bats for Calhoun, but it could also lead to increased RBI opportunities. A change in the lineup could also help spark the veteran's slumping bat. He is slashing just .236/.308/.354 through 37 games.

Gurriel is not in the starting lineup against the Yankees on Friday.

Gurriel is just 3-for-23 over the past week, so manager A.J. Hinch will give him a day to get his mind right. Utility player Marwin Gonzalez will man first base in his absence.

Carter is not in the Yankees' starting lineup Friday against the Astros.

Jacoby Ellsbury gets the start at DH and Aaron Hicks slots into center field, relegating Carter to the bench. The power-hitting righty is just 4-for-20 over his last eight games and has not hit a home run since April 21 after blasting 41 of them last season.