MLB Player News

Cabrera (hamstring) has been running at 70-80 percent recently, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

Cabrera has been taking live at-bats over the past week, and he's also been able to increase his running intensity after only being able to jog slowly out of the batter's box at the end of May. Manager Torey Lovullo called the 35-year-old's progress a "miracle" since his injury was initially believed to be quite serious. However, Cabrera still doesn't have a clear timetable to return.

Torkelson has appeared in four games for High-A West Michigan since suffering a hamstring injury May 23, going 5-for-16 with two home runs, two doubles, three walks, seven RBI and five runs.

Torkelson has returned with a bang from the sore left hamstring, which kept him out of the lineup for just under a week. The 22-year-old was touted for his plus power and plus hit tool coming out of Arizona State in 2020, but he had difficulty making consistent contact in the Grapefruit League this spring before he was assigned to High-A. Torkelson has assuaged some of those concerns so far during the regular season, as he's striking out at a manageable 22.9 percent clip through 96 plate appearances.

Kirilloff is not in Thursday's lineup against the Royals.

The Twins' top prospect has started 12 straight games, with three of those coming against left-handed starters, so while a lefty (Kris Bubic) is on the hill for Kansas City, this seems like just a standard day off. He is hitting .265 with zero home runs, 14 strikeouts and four walks in 49 at-bats since returning from a wrist injury May 21. Kyle Garlick will start in right field while Trevor Larnach starts in left.

Cooper will start in right field and bat cleanup Thursday against the Pirates, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Cooper will pick up his fifth start in a row, but it's worth noting that the Marlins had the designated hitter available in each of the previous four games. He'll stick in the lineup Thursday over the lefty-hitting Corey Dickerson with a southpaw (Tyler Anderson) on the hill for Pittsburgh, but Cooper could still have to settle for a short-side platoon role when the Marlins are playing in National League parks.

Hiura is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Hiura had started at first base in six of the Brewers' last seven games, but that was largely a byproduct of Milwaukee facing a heavy slate of left-handed starting pitchers. Even with the platoon advantage often being in his favor, Hiura hasn't been able to do much at the plate since returning from Triple-A Nashville on May 24. In his first week and a half back with the big club, Hiura has gone 1-for-23 with 13 strikeouts. He'll likely continue to fill a short-side platoon role with the lefty-hitting Daniel Vogelbach, who gets the nod at first base Thursday.

Vaughn was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Thursday. "Andrew is currently asymptomatic and our hope is that, similar to our other IL placements of this nature, he will return shortly to the active roster," general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement.

Hahn said that no other players are affected at this time. Vaughn missed Monday's doubleheader due to allergies, but he he returned to action Tuesday and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Gavin Sheets was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move while Jake Lamb draws the start in left field.

Olson went 3-for-4 with an RBI single, a double and a run in a win over the Mariners on Wednesday.

The slugging first baseman continued wielding a red-hot bat in the shutout win, as Olson now is 7 for-14 with two doubles, a home run, three RBI, a walk and five runs over his last three contests. The surge has pushed Olson's season slash line -- which now stands at an impressive .274/.361/.570 -- to its highest figures since May 6.

Lowe is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rockies.

Lowe's first time out of the lineup all season will unfortunately come at Coors Field. His .246/.354/.396 season slash line isn't anything special for a first baseman, but his job remains very safe with Ronald Guzman out for the year following knee surgery. Charlie Culberson will get the nod at first base Thursday.

Gurriel went 0-for-2 with a sacrifice fly in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Red Sox.

It was a quiet offensive day for both teams Wednesday, but Gurriel knocked in Jose Altuve on a sacrifice fly in the first inning. Also, Gurriel was the only Astro to not strike out in the game. The 37-year-old is slashing .301/.373/.497 in 212 plate appearances and leads the Astros with 39 RBI.

Bell will sit Thursday against Atlanta.

Bell finds himself on the bench for the second time in three games and the third time in six contests. His .668 OPS, which is a near match for his .669 OPS from last season, doesn't exactly make a strong case for him earning everyday at-bats. Ryan Zimmerman will start at first base in his absence versus Atlanta lefty Tucker Davidson.