MLB Player News
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Christian Encarnacion-Strand 1B | CIN
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Has positive follow-up exam
Encarnacion-Strand (wrist) had a follow-up exam with Reds doctors Wednesday, and he was cleared to take the next step in his rehab, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
While that would seem to be good news for Encarnacion-Strand, who was diagnosed with a right ulnar styloid fracture May 8, he opted to get a second opinion, putting his rehab on hold for the moment. At the time of his diagnosis, Encarnacion-Strand was given a four-to-six week recovery timeline.
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Michael Toglia 1B | COL
Rockies' Michael Toglia: Back in majors
The Rockies recalled Toglia from Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday
With Kris Bryant (ribs) and Sean Bouchard (foot) headed to the injured list, the Rockies will call upon Toglia to add depth to their depleted outfield group. The 25-year-old owns a .505 OPS through 49 plate appearances in the big leagues this season, but he's slashed .277/.363/.571 with nine homers and 27 RBI since being sent down to Triple-A in late April.
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Kris Bryant RF | COL
Rockies' Kris Bryant: Officially placed on IL
The Rockies placed Bryant on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a left rib contusion.
Bryant missed three games in a row due to back soreness, but the Rockies are now reporting his injury to be rib related. The 32-year-old missed a month earlier in the season due to a back/rib issue, though the current injury is likely to require a shorter stint on the shelf. Greg Jones was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move.
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Freddie Freeman 1B | LAD
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Swipes bag in loss
Freeman went 1-for-5 with a stolen base and a run against Pittsburgh in a loss Wednesday.
Freeman has been much less active on the basepaths this season -- he's attempted just four steals (with three successes) after going 23-for-24 last year. That 2023 performance was likely an aberration, as the 23 thefts were 10 more than his previous career-high mark. Freeman's other numbers are mostly down so far this season as well, but he's still been quite productive with a .294/.397/.476 slash line, seven homers, 17 doubles, 35 RBI and and 36 runs through 63 contests.
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Josh Bell DH | MIN
Marlins' Josh Bell: Keeps raking
Bell went 3-for-4 with an RBI during Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Rays.
Bell has generated at least one hit in eight consecutive contests, with Wednesday's performance his third three-hit game during that span. The first baseman drove in Vidal Brujan on a fifth-inning single, marking Bell's 30th RBI of the campaign. Through 262 plate appearances, Bell owns a .716 OPS and a 19.1 percent strikeout rate, down from 21.8 percent in 2023.
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Kris Bryant RF | COL
Rockies' Kris Bryant: IL stint expected
The Rockies will likely place Bryant (back) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.
Wednesday marked the third game in a row Bryant missed due to his sore back, which has not responded well to treatment. He will likely be joined on the IL by Sean Bouchard (ankle), and the Rockies will presumably call up a couple of minor leaguers to fill the openings in their outfield. Injuries have limited Bryant to just 24 games so far this season, during which he's slashed .186/.307/.279 with 10 RBI.
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Wilmer Flores 1B | SF
Giants' Wilmer Flores: Drives in five in win
Flores went 2-for-4 with a walk, a home run and five RBI in Wednesday's 9-3 win over the Diamondbacks.
The Giants launched three homers on the day, but Flores' grand slam off Jordan Montgomery in the third inning proved to be the biggest blow. Flores snapped a 21-game homer drought with the blast, but that May 4 shot was his only other homer on the season. The 32-year-old's five RBI on Wednesday equaled his total from his prior 26 games combined.
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Kris Bryant RF | COL
Rockies' Kris Bryant: IL decision looming
Rockies manager Bud Black said that Bryant (back) could be placed on the injured list if he doesn't show significant improvement by the end of the day Wednesday, Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com reports.
Bryant is missing a third straight start Wednesday with lingering back soreness after he ran into the protective netting during the team's previous series against the Dodgers. The 32-year-old missed time earlier this season with a back injury and also was absent for a large chunk of the 2022 campaign with back problems.
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Rowdy Tellez 1B | TEX
Pirates' Rowdy Tellez: Sitting versus lefty
Tellez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.
After he had began to lose out on regular playing time toward the end of May, the lefty-hitting Tellez has started in each of the last four games against right-handed pitching. Tellez still remains in a platoon at first base with Connor Joe, however, and Tellez will take a seat Wednesday while the Dodgers bring southpaw James Paxton to the hill.