MLB Player News
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Michael Toglia 1B | COL
Rockies' Michael Toglia: Power coming around
Toglia went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and two walks Friday against the Padres.
Toglia has struggled to get going at the plate this season, though there have been some positive aspects to his performance across the last two weeks. Four of his five home runs have come in his last 13 games, and he's also delivered seven RBI and four runs scored. Despite that short-term success, he has just a .208 average with a 35.2 percent strikeout rate across 145 plate appearances on the campaign.
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Enrique Hernandez SS | LAD
Dodgers' Enrique Hernandez: Goes deep in high-scoring win
Hernandez went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, an RBI double and three total runs scored in Friday's 14-11 win over the Diamondbacks.
Hernandez started at third base against southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez in this contest. The 33-year-old Hernandez has a pair of multi-hit efforts in May, but he's struggling to find consistent playing time against right-handed pitchers. He's at a .215/.267/.468 slash line with six homers, 15 RBI, 12 runs scored, two doubles and no stolen bases over 87 plate appearances. Hernandez platoons with Max Muncy at third base, and he's also in the mix in the free-for-all for playing time at second base in the absence of Tommy Edman (ankle).
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Romy Gonzalez 2B | BOS
Red Sox's Romy Gonzalez: May require IL stint
Manager Alex Cora said Friday that Gonzalez (back) could spend some time on the injured list, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
No official move has been made just yet, but the Boston skipper hinted toward possible roster moves Saturday that could involve Gonzalez, who hasn't played since colliding with the Rangers' Josh Smith on Wednesday. Abraham Toro has been filling in at first base recently with Gonzalez injured and Triston Casas (knee) out for the season.
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Tim Elko 1B | CHW
White Sox's Tim Elko: Bound for Chicago
The White Sox plan to promote Elko to the major-league roster Saturday, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.
With Andrew Vaughn struggling to the tune of a .516 OPS with the big club, the Sox will now look to jumpstart their production at first base by giving Elko a look in the majors. The 26-year-old has been phenomenal at Triple-A Charlotte this season, slashing .339/.423/.661 with 10 homers and 23 RBI through 130 plate appearances. His first appearance will mark his MLB debut, and he could claim the starting job at first base immediately upon arriving in Chicago.
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Enmanuel Valdez 2B | PIT
Pirates' Enmanuel Valdez: Out with shoulder issue
The Pirates placed Valdez on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to May 8, due to left shoulder inflammation, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
It's unclear when exactly the injury first surfaced for Valdez, but he's gone 2-for-13 across his past four contests. The Pirates are now down another option at first base, with Valdez joining Spencer Horwitz (wrist) and Endy Rodriguez (finger) on the shelf. Ji Hwan Bae was called up by Pittsburgh in a corresponding move, though it's likely to be Matt Gorski that sees a bump in playing time.
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Matt Mervis 1B | MIA
Marlins' Matt Mervis: Not in Marlins' lineup
Mervis is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the White Sox.
It's right-hander Bryse Wilson on the bump for the White Sox, but the left-handed-hitting Mervis will nonetheless begin the festivities on the bench. It's the first time this season that Mervis -- who is 1-for-14 with 10 strikeouts in May -- is not in the lineup versus a righty. Liam Hicks is in the designated hitter spot for Miami.
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Enmanuel Valdez 2B | PIT
Pirates' Enmanuel Valdez: Out against right-hander
Valdez is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against Atlanta.
Valdez had started each of the previous 18 games at first base against right-handed pitching, but he will begin this one on the bench as Atlanta sends righty Bryce Elder to the hill. Matt Gorski will play first base and bat sixth for the Pirates.
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Tim Elko 1B | CHW
White Sox's Tim Elko: Mashing at Triple-A
Elko is slashing .348/.431/.670 with 10 home runs and a 28.5 percent strikeout rate in 31 games for Triple-A Charlotte.
Elko is a righty-hitting first baseman who is already 26, so it's possible he's just a Quad-A hitter when it's all said and done. His 27.6 percent hard-hit rate and 67 percent contact rate aren't great marks, especially for an older first baseman. Elko is not yet on Chicago's 40-man roster.
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Romy Gonzalez 2B | BOS
Red Sox's Romy Gonzalez: Weekend return possible
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Gonzalez (back) is still sore but believes the infielder will be ready at some point this weekend, MLB.com reports.
Gonzalez was held out of Thursday's series finale against Rangers after sustaining a back injury Wednesday when he ran into Texas first baseman Josh Smith. Abraham Toro started at first base for the Red Sox on Thursday.