MLB Player News
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Spencer Horwitz 1B | PIT
Pirates' Spencer Horwitz: Slugs first leadoff homer
Horwitz went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and a two-RBI double in Monday's 7-0 victory over the Cardinals.
The Pittsburgh first baseman launched his first career leadoff homer when he took St. Louis starter Erick Fedde deep on the second pitch. Horwitz then returned in the third to lace a two-RBI double off Fedde to notch his second two-bagger of the season. The former Blue Jay has settled into a strong-side platoon role and is now slashing .258/.324/.383 with two homers, 17 runs scored and 14 RBI across 142 plate appearances in 36 games.
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Josh Naylor 1B | SEA
Diamondbacks' Josh Naylor: Remains out of lineup
Naylor (neck) remains out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Giants.
Naylor will miss a third straight start after exiting Friday's game versus the Marlins with neck stiffness. He is considered day-to-day. Pavin Smith will serve as the Diamondbacks' first baseman and Lourdes Gurriel will be the designated hitter in Monday's series opener.
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Jared Triolo 3B | PIT
Pirates' Jared Triolo: Back on bench Monday
Triolo is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals.
Triolo was included in the lineup in three of the Pirates' previous four games, but the bulk of his starts are still expected to come against left-handed pitching when Pittsburgh has all of its core infielders available. Most of the 27-year-old's value to the Pirates derives from his ability to play all four infield spots, as he's been an easy out at the plate with a .167/.260/.280 slash line over 152 plate appearances on the season.
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Otto Kemp 3B | PHI
Phillies' Otto Kemp: Odd man out in Harper's return
Kemp is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Padres, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Since being called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on June 7, Kemp had started in all but one of the Phillies' ensuing 20 games, but he'll likely find himself on the bench against right-handed pitching more frequently after Philadelphia reinstated Bryce Harper (wrist) from the injured list Monday. The right-handed-hitting Kemp should continue to see regular playing time against left-handed pitching, likely occupying the short side of a platoon in left field with the left-handed-hitting Max Kepler.
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Bryce Harper DH | PHI
Phillies' Bryce Harper: Returns from injured list
The Phillies activated Harper (wrist) from the 10-day injured list Monday. He will start at first base and bat third in the Phillies' series opener versus the Padres.
Harper will return to the Philadelphia lineup after missing the last three-plus weeks with right wrist inflammation. The 32-year-old did not go out on a rehab assignment, but the Phillies were convinced of Harper's readiness by how he looked against live pitching over the weekend.
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Enrique Hernandez SS | LAD
Dodgers' Enrique Hernandez: Slugs eighth homer
Hernandez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 5-1 win versus the Royals.
The veteran utility man started at first base and gave the Dodgers a 2-1 lead when he took Kansas City starter Kris Bubic deep in the second inning. The long ball marked the first in June for Hernandez, who entered this contest with an anemic .119/.196/.167 slash line across 46 plate appearances in 23 games this month. Through 177 total plate appearances, the 33-year-old is slashing .206/.273/.388 with 23 runs scored and 22 RBI in a short-side platoon role.
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Josh Naylor 1B | SEA
Diamondbacks' Josh Naylor: Still sitting Sunday
Naylor (neck) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Naylor was unable to play in Saturday's 8-7 loss after he exited Friday's 9-8 loss due to neck stiffness, and he'll remain on the bench for the start of Sunday's series finale. Pavin Smith will man first base while Randal Grichuk serves as the designated hitter versus Miami righty Cal Quantrill.
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Freddie Freeman 1B | LAD
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Getting afternoon off
Freeman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.
Freeman had gone just 2-for-25 with eight strikeouts in six straight starts before getting back on track Saturday, reaching base in all five of his plate appearances and slugging his first home run since May 11. After the big performance, Freeman will be given a breather, affording Enrique Hernandez the chance to make a start at first base.
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Dominic Smith 1B | SF
Giants' Dominic Smith: Losing work to Flores
Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.
After Rafael Devers made his Giants debut June 17, Smith remained in the lineup at first base for San Francisco's ensuing two matchups against right-handed pitchers. Since then however, Smith appears to have faded into a part-time role in favor of Wilmer Flores, who was displaced at DH by Devers. Smith is on the bench Sunday for the fifth time in the Giants' last eight matchups with a righty.