MLB Player News

Gurriel (neck) took grounders on the field Saturday, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Gurriel landed on the 10-day injured list Friday after he missed three consecutive games due to neck stiffness, and he's eligible to return as early as Aug. 13. The team hasn't yet revealed when he'll be back in action, but it's encouraging to see him resume activities shortly after his placement on the IL.

Mountcastle is still feeling concussion symptoms and may need a trip to the injured list, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Mountcastle hurt his head while attempting a steal Friday and was forced to exit the game. While he's yet to be removed from the roster, he won't start Saturday's game against the Rays and could be placed on the concussion injured list soon. Trey Mancini will start at first base in his absence, with Anthony Santander serving as the designated hitter.

O'Hearn will sit Saturday against the Cardinals.

The Royals' regular starting nine will be a man short due to the lack of the designated hitter in the National League park. O'Hearn served as the right fielder Friday, but that spot will be occupied by Hunter Dozier in the second game of the series.

Smith isn't starting Saturday against the Phillies, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Smith will get a day off as the Mets elect to stack their lineup with right-handed hitters against lefty Ranger Suarez. Kevin Pillar will take over in left field and bat eighth.

Lowe will sit Saturday against Oakland.

Lowe hasn't done much thus far in the second half, hitting.206/.296/.286 with zero homers in 19 games. Curtis Terry will be the first baseman in his absence, with Adolis Garcia resting his legs in Terry's usual spot as the designated hitter.

Hoskins (groin) isn't starting Saturday against the Mets.

Hoskins has been dealing with groin soreness recently, and he'll remain out of the lineup for a second consecutive game. Whether he's available off the bench remains to be seen, but Brad Miller will start at first base and bat fifth.

Vaughn isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Cubs, Vinnie Duber of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Vaughn had started in each of the last four games, and he went 4-for-13 with a homer, three runs, two RBI and three walks. Eloy Jimenez will start in left field and bat fourth in Saturday's contest at Wrigley Field.

Cron went 2-for-3 with two homers, four RBI, four runs scored and a walk in Friday's 14-2 victory over Miami.

Cron opened the game's scoring with his solo blast in the second inning. He was hit by a pitch, scored a run and launched a three-run shot all in the fourth inning, ending Sandy Alcantara's night. The veteran slugger is up to 16 homers and 50 RBI with an .827 OPS this season. The homers were Cron's first since July 20, though he does have six hits over his last three contests.

Freeman went 3-for-4 with a walk, two RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 8-4 win over Atlanta.

The first baseman has already posted three multi-hit efforts in five August games as he remains locked in at the plate. All three of Freeman's hits Friday were singles, including one in the eighth inning that knocked in a pair of insurance runs. He's slashing a strong .295/.396/.505 with 24 home runs, 63 RBI, 81 runs scored and six stolen bases through 482 plate appearances this year.

Mountcastle is being evaluated for a concussion following his removal from Friday's game against the Rays, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Mountcastle took a hard tag to the side of the head while attempting to steal second base in the first inning Friday. Although he initially stayed in the game, the 24-year-old was removed in the third inning under the league's concussion protocols. If team doctors confirm a concussion, Mountcastle will need to pass several tests before he's cleared to return.