MLB Player News

Freeman is starting at first and batting cleanup Thursday versus Milwaukee after feeling sore following Wednesday's 4-2 win over Kansas City, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Freeman fell into the dugout on the first-base side in an attempt to track a popup in foul territory Wednesday, which resulted in his departure from the game due to soreness in his right hand, knee and shoulder. As Freeman hoped following Wednesday's game, he's in the lineup for the series opener versus the Brewers.

Pasquantino (wrist) went 1-for-5 at the plate Wednesday in his first rehab game with Triple-A Omaha.

After Omaha's game was rained out Tuedsday, Pasquantino began his rehab assignment a day later and played the full game at first base as he works his way back from right wrist soreness. Per MLB.com, the Royals hope to have the 28-year-old play in five games this week, which would put him on track to return from the 10-day injured list as soon as Monday. Pasquantino is slashing .232/.318/.345 with six home runs, four stolen bases, 33 RBI and 34 runs across 336 plate appearances this season.

Murakami is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Reds.

The left-handed-hitting slugger will get a day off as the Reds send southpaw Andrew Abbott to the bump. Miguel Vargas will slide over to first base, Colson Montgomery will handle third base, and Luisangel Acuna will enter the lineup at shortstop.

Ortiz went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Wednesday's loss to the Cubs.

Andres Chaparro got the start at first base against southpaw David Peterson, but Ortiz came off the bench in the sixth inning and took Javier Assad deep. It was Ortiz's third homer in nine games since getting called up after the trade deadline, a stretch in which he's batting .292 (7-for-24) with five RBI while handling the strong side of a platoon at first base.

Velazquez went 3-for-5 with two home runs, five RBI and an additional run scored for Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday.

Velazquez extended a hit streak to six games, during which he's 10-for-26 (.385) with six home runs and 12 RBI. The Guardians addressed a need at first base at the deadline by adding Nathaniel Lowe, but Velazquez could get a look in September for a team starving for offense.

Freeman said that he is "just sore" after suffering a number of minor injuries when he fell into the opposing dugout during the eighth inning of Wednesday's 4-2 win over Kansas City , David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports. Freeman added that he's hoping to play in Thursday's series opener against the Brewers.

In a scary incident, Freeman plunged into the dugout while tracking a pop-up into foul territory. Team trainer Thomas Albert said afterward that Freeman has a sore right hand, knee, foot and shoulder, but Freeman downplayed the injuries in his postgame interview. The first baseman seems like he'll lobby to play right away in Thursday's series opener in Los Angeles, though the Dodgers could err on the side of caution and give Freeman a day off if he's experiencing any lingering soreness leading up to game time.

Freeman was removed from Wednesday's game against the Royals due to an apparent injury, Jack Harris of the California Post reports. He went 1-for-2 with a walk prior to his departure in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Freeman fell into the Royals' dugout while tracking a pop-up in foul territory during the eighth inning. He initially remained in the game but was lifted for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the frame. His ability to remain in the game for a while after the incident suggests he avoided a serious injury, though the Dodgers should provide more information on his condition in the near future.

Burleson went 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored and three RBI in Wednesday's 7-1 win over the Phillies.

The two-bagger was Burleson's MLB-leading 30th of the season, and it brought home two runs as part of a fifth-inning rally that broke open a 1-1 tie. Burleson has been an RBI machine in August, batting .342 (13-for-38) through 11 games with three doubles, four homers, eight runs and 13 RBI.

Contreras went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Blue Jays.

Contreras tied the game with a 408-foot blast off Jose Soriano in the fifth inning before walking and scoring a run in the ninth. It was the 34-year-old's first homer in eight August contests, as he entered Wednesday just 4-for-24 without an extra-base hit in the month. On the season, he's slashing .280/.390/.529 with 24 long balls, 71 RBI, 60 runs scored and three steals across 451 plate appearances.

Ortiz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

The Nationals will keep the left-handed-hitting Ortiz on the bench for the second day in a row while the Cubs send another lefty (David Peterson) to the hill. Andres Chaparro will spell Ortiz at first base and will bat second.