MLB Player News

Higgins landed on the injured list with a strained right forearm Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Higgins had been serving as the backup catcher in the absence of Austin Romine (wrist) but didn't do much in his limited action, going 1-for-23 at the plate. The Cubs will now have to turn to fourth-string backstop Jose Lobaton, whose contract was selected in a corresponding move, to back up Willson Contreras. It's not yet clear when the team expects Higgins to return.

Dalbec went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI in Thursday's 12-8 win over Houston.

Dalbec capped off Boston's five-run sixth inning by lasering a double off the Green Monster that drove home two. The slumping first baseman, who has lost at-bats to Danny Santana, is just 5-for-43 over the last 13 games, dropping his batting average to .192. The bright side for Dalbec, and those deploying him in fantasy lineups, is that Santana is also slumping, so there's no clear choice at first base.

Kirilloff (ankle) is considered day-to-day after suffering an ankle sprain Thursday against the Yankees, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Manager Rocco Baldelli elaborated that Kirilloff might need a day or two to recover, but the skipper sounded optimistic that placement on the injured list would not be necessary. That's promising news for both Kirilloff and the Twins, who are also currently without Byron Buxton (hip) and Max Kepler (hamstring).

Gurriel went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk, two RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 12-8 loss to Boston.

Gurriel opened the scoring with a short homer to right field off Boston starter Eduardo Rodriguez. In the fifth, Gurriel drew a bases loaded walk to force in a run, which tied the game at 4-4. The first baseman is now 15-for-26 (.577) during his seven-game hitting streak. He's slashing .335/.407/.545 with nine homers, 45 RBI, 30 runs scored and a stolen bases through 243 plate appearances overall.

Freeman went 2-for-5 with a solo home run Thursday against the Phillies.

Freeman provided one of the few offensive bright spots for Atlanta when he took Hector Neris deep in the ninth inning to tie the game. It was his 14th home run of the season, but only his second in his last 18 starts. Freeman is uncharacteristically hitting just .228 across 260 plate appearances on the campaign, but he is striking out at only a 17.7 percent. He's also chipped in 39 runs and 33 RBI.

Abreu went 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored in Thursday's win over the Blue Jays.

Abreu entered this game mired in a 3-for-29 slump (.103) with eight strikeouts, but he bounced back admirably with his first multi-hit game of the month and his first one since May 29. Even though the 2020 American League MVP has gone 10 straight games without a home run, this game might be what he needs to spark his confidence up, as his overall numbers have taken a noticeable dip compared to recent seasons.

White (hip) was scratched from the Triple-A Tacoma lineup Thursday, Mike Curto of the Tacoma Rainiers broadcast team reports.

White was supposed to begin his rehab assignment Thursday, but he apparently didn't feel right during batting practice. He hit the injured list May 14 and appeared to be approaching a return to the field. However, this potential setback could cost him further time.

Kirilloff exited Thursday's game with a low-grade left ankle sprain, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports

Kirilloff suffered the injury while attempting to play a ball near the wall early in the game. Though Byron Buxton (hip) is nearing a return, any extended absence for Kirilloff will continue to test the Twins' outfield depth. It's unclear whether a stint on the injured list will be required.

Kirilloff exited Thursday's contest due to an apparent leg injury, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Kirilloff appeared to suffer the injury while playing a ball off the wall in the first inning. The severity is unknown at this time, though the Twins are already thin in the outfield due to a number of sidelined players. Gilberto Celestino entered the game in Kirilloff's place.

Voit (oblique) could begin a rehab assignment as early as Sunday, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

Voit has been sidelined with a Grade 2 oblique strain since May 26, but he recently increased his volume of swings and could return to game action in the minors in the near future. Manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that the 30-year-old could rejoin the Yankees after about a week of rehab games, per Marly Rivera of ESPN.com.