MLB Player News

Calhoun went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and three runs Saturday at the Mariners.

Calhoun's third homer of the year was part of a five-run seventh inning in a game the Angels would go on to win. He's now hit safely in 10 of 12 games this month to improve his slash line to .305/.376/.435.

Rizzo went 2-for-5 with a three-run homer, four RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 8-2 victory over the Cubs.

The lefty slugger has now reached safely in 22 straight games, and is tallying an outstanding .373/.475/.686 slash line in May. Rizzo has raised his average 61 points since the beginning of the month, and is clearly wielding one of the hottest bats in the majors at present. His remarkable month now includes six multi-hit outings, along with seven doubles, three homers and nine RBI.

Bour went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in the 7-1 victory over the Nationals on Saturday.

The first baseman has two bombs in his last three games, and three since May 7. During that time, he is 6-for-21 (.286) with six RBI and five runs. Overall, he is slashing .276/.348/.510 with six homers, 18 RBI and 11 runs in 98 at-bats.

Carter is not in the lineup Saturday against the Padres.

Carter will get the day off Saturday, as the Brewers will go with Jonathan Lucroy at first base and Martin Maldonado behind the plate. Carter has struggled of late, going 0-for-20 over his last six games.

McBride is in the lineup Saturday, batting ninth and starting at catcher.

The A's will rest Stephen Vogt's legs Saturday by moving him to DH and putting the recently recalled McBride behind the plate. McBride has defensive versatility, as he can play first base, outfield, or catcher, but he lacks upside at the plate. In 63 Triple-A at-bats this season, McBride managed a paltry .175/.246/.286 slash line with 16 strikeouts.

Manager Pete Mackanin said he might get Joseph some at-bats against some right-handers, Evan Webeck of MLB.com reports.

Joseph, who went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in his MLB debut Friday, is guaranteed to start against lefties in a platoon at first base with Ryan Howard. Carving into Howard's playing time would only give him more fantasy value.

Bour is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Washington.

With the Marlins facing lefty Gio Gonzalez on Friday, manager Don Mattingly will give Bour the night off and replace him at first base with Chris Johnson. Bour had started five straight games at first base coming into Friday and he figures to rejoin the order Saturday against righty Tanner Roark.

Howard is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds, Ryan Lawrence of the Philly Voice reports.

With left-hander Brandon Finnegan taking the ball for Cincinnati, Howard will head to the bench as usual. Recent callup Tommy Joseph will man first base in his stead.

Joseph was called up by the Philles on Friday.

Due to Darin Ruf's putrid performance at the plate so far this season, the Phillies were willing to give Joseph a promotion from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 24-year-old has been annihilating Triple-A pitching, batting .347 with six home runs and 17 RBI thus far, so he'll try to translate that to the big leagues. He'll likely slot into the short end of a platoon at first base with Ryan Howard.

McBride was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

McBride has not been impressive at the plate in the minor leagues, but with Mark Canha recently placed on the disabled list, the A's thought that McBride's ability to play outfield, first base, and catcher was valuable enough to warrant a callup. It'll be tough for him to make an impact given his struggles at the plate, though. To make room for him on the roster, right-hander Zach Neal was optioned to Triple-A.