MLB Player News

Cron is not in Monday's lineup againstface the Dodgers, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Interleague play means that Cron will shift to the dugout while Albert Pujols takes over at first base instead of serving as the team's designated hitter. Unless Pujols gets a day off, it's possible Cron will remain a reserve option over the entire four-game series.

Calhoun went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and three runs Saturday at the Mariners.

Calhoun's third homer of the year was part of a five-run seventh inning in a game the Angels would go on to win. He's now hit safely in 10 of 12 games this month to improve his slash line to .305/.376/.435.

McBride is in the lineup Saturday, batting ninth and starting at catcher.

The A's will rest Stephen Vogt's legs Saturday by moving him to DH and putting the recently recalled McBride behind the plate. McBride has defensive versatility, as he can play first base, outfield, or catcher, but he lacks upside at the plate. In 63 Triple-A at-bats this season, McBride managed a paltry .175/.246/.286 slash line with 16 strikeouts.

McBride was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

McBride has not been impressive at the plate in the minor leagues, but with Mark Canha recently placed on the disabled list, the A's thought that McBride's ability to play outfield, first base, and catcher was valuable enough to warrant a callup. It'll be tough for him to make an impact given his struggles at the plate, though. To make room for him on the roster, right-hander Zach Neal was optioned to Triple-A.

Cron went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and a walk against the Cardinals on Wednesday.

He provided the only damage the Angels were able to do against Jaime Garcia, and although Cron's season stats remain less than pretty -- .263/.349/.368 won't get many fantasy owners feeling hot and heavy -- daily-league players should pay attention to what he's been doing when the Angels have put him in the lineup lately. Over his last 18 games (15 starts), Cron has gone 21-for-55 (.382) with a couple homers and 10 RBI. His excellent contact skill and above-average pop make him an underrated fantasy asset.

Rodriguez, 21, is batting .243/.323/.504 with eight home runs and 22 RBI through 29 games for Double-A Akron.

Rodriguez is second in the Eastern League in home runs, but first in strikeouts. He fanned 150 times in 133 games in 2015. He's got some pop, but it remains to be seen how much of a hindrance his lack of plate discipline will be at the higher levels.

Abreu sent 1-for-4 with a solo homer in a 10-4 victory over the Twins on Friday.

The slugging first baseman went deep for the second time in the last three games and now has seven RBI in 19 at-bats in May. Abreu also has a double and triple to his credit during the month, giving him five extra-base bits over five games. He's showing definitive signs of breaking out of his early-season struggles.

Abreu's two-run homer in the first inning Wednesday accounted for all the White Sox's offense in a 5-2 loss to the Red Sox. He also drew a walk.

While Abreu's been racking up hits of late -- he's gone 14-for-32 (.438) with 10 RBI over the course of an eight-game hitting streak -- his power had been missing in action for a couple weeks, as Abreu hadn't homered since April 19. His numbers are still subpar (.255 and only four homers), but there's no reason to think Abreu shouldn't end up right around 30 homers and 100 RBI again this year.

Abreu went 2-for-3 with a double and triple in the White Sox's win over the Red Sox on Tuesday.

The two extra-base hits helped Abreu drive in three of the team's four runs in the win. He now has a hit in seven straight games, and six of those contests have been multi-hit affairs. The home runs have yet to come in vast numbers, but it looks like his bat is beginning to come around.

Cron is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Brewers.

Cron took a seat Monday also, and he'll do so again as the Angels continue their series in a National League park against the Brewers. With no DH option, Albert Pujols will man first base once again in place of Cron.