MLB Player News

The White Sox optioned Elko to Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.

Elko is headed back to the minors after the White Sox activated both Andrew Benintendi (calf) and Mike Tauchman (hamstring) from the 10-day IL on Friday. Elko flashed some pop in his first 32 big-league plate appearances, swatting three home runs, but he slashed just .161/.188/.452 with five RBI, four runs scored and a 1:10 BB:K across 10 contests.

The Angels traded Noda to the Red Sox on Thursday in exchange for cash.

The Angels designated Noda for assignment Sunday after he started the season at Triple-A Salt Lake with a .634 OPS through 154 plate appearances. He'll reclaim a 40-man roster spot upon joining the Red Sox, who have been looking for an answer at first base with Triston Casas (knee) out for the year and Romy Gonzalez sidelined by a quad injury.

Elko went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and and additional run scored Thursday against the Mariners.

Immediately after being called up, Elko sat against most right-handed pitching. However, he's now started five straight games, four of which came against righties. Elko has an ugly 10:1 K:BB across 32 plate appearances, though he has mashed three home runs.

Kurtz went 2-for-5 with a pair of solo home runs Wednesday in a loss to the Angels.

Kurtz was the offensive star for the A's in defeat, popping two solo shots that each traveled over 430 feet. The promising young first baseman hit 11 long balls over 32 minor-league games across three levels before getting called up April 23, but he then began his big-league career with just one homer through his first 23 contests. Kurtz appears to be finally finding his power stroke, though, as he's now gone deep three times in his past two games.

Burger went 3-for-4 with two solo home runs and a stolen base in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Yankees.

Burger totaled a season-high nine bases, adding his first stolen base of the year to boot. The first baseman seems to have found a groove at the plate since returning from the minor leagues, hitting .344 (11-for-32) with three home runs, two doubles, six RBI and three runs scored over his last nine games. It's worth noting Burger got off to a slow start before heating up with Miami in 2024 -- he had a .635 OPS before the All-Star break before posting a .901 OPS during the second half last year.

Santana went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional run scored during Wednesday's 5-1 win over Minnesota. He also homered earlier in the day during the completion of the May 19 game that was suspended due to rain.

Santana notched his fifth and sixth long balls of the campaign. He tagged reliever Cole Sands for a solo shot in the eighth inning of Wednesday's scheduled game to put the Guardians up 3-1. The first baseman is 13-for-51 (.255) with three home runs, 16 RBI and 10 runs scored in 16 games since the start of May.

Mead went 2-for-3 with a solo homer and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 8-4 win over the Astros.

Making a rare start against a right-hander, Mead responded with his first home run of the year, a solo shot off Hunter Brown that put the Rays ahead 3-2 in the fourth inning. While Mead's playing time has been limited, he's now recorded at least one hit in five straight games -- he's gone 6-for-15 (.400) in that span. Overall, the 24-year-old Mead is slashing .206/.286/.279 with four RBI, three runs scored and two stolen bases through 77 plate appearances this season.

Torkelson went 2-for-2 with two walks, a double, an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Cardinals.

Torkelson continued his strong recent play, as he's now slashing .283/.381/.491 with two home runs and 12 RBI over his last 15 games. The two free passes are encouraging as well, and the 25-year-old's walk rate is now slightly above 13 percent, up from 8.8 percent during the 2024 regular season. Torkelson being more patient at the plate bodes well for him maintaining his high level of production.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that Gonzalez (quadricep) has suffered a setback and will not be activated from the 10-day injured list when first eligible Thursday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Cora didn't elaborate on how significant Gonzalez's setback was, aside from noting that the 28-year-old's left quad is still bothering him when he runs. The Red Sox have been using a combination of Nick Sogard and Abraham Toro at first base since Gonzalez was injured and will continue with that arrangement for now. Kristian Campbell has been taking pregame reps at first base and could eventually become an option at the position.

France is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Guardians.

France participated in the conclusion of a suspended game earlier in the day, but he'll begin Wednesday's regularly scheduled tilt on the bench. Jonah Bride will handle first base and bat fifth for the Twins.