MLB Player News

The Pirates reinstated Horwitz (concussion/hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Sunday. He'll start at first base and bat fifth for the series finale in Cincinnati.

Horwitz had been on the shelf since June 25 after suffering a left hamstring strain, but he was expected to return from the IL earlier in the week after completing a three-game rehab assignment. However, he sustained a mild concussion in his final minor-league contest July 25, prompting the Pirates to delay his activation until he was no longer exhibiting any symptoms. Now fully cleared, Horwitz should settle back in as the everyday first baseman after slashing .280/.386/.455 with 10 home runs, 36 runs and 33 RBI in 74 games prior to landing on the IL.

Hoskins went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run and two RBI in Saturday's 12-8 loss to Arizona.

Hoskins gave the Guardians an early lead by taking Kohl Drake deep in the first inning. That snapped a 1-for-15 stretch for the first baseman, who was later replaced by Kyle Manzardo when a right-handed reliever entered the game. The Hoskins/Manzardo combination at first base ranks last in the majors with a combined .203 batting average. Cleveland, which is in the thick of the postseason chase, will be looking to upgrade its offense heading into the trade deadline, and first base is an obvious place to start.

Bauers went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Angels.

The blast was Bauers' 20th of the campaign, and this is the first season he's reached that mark. He has gone 11-for-25 (.440) with two homers and five RBI over his last seven games. Through 100 contests on the year, he's batting .269 with an .878 OPS, 64 RBI, 66 runs scored, 16 doubles, two triples and eight stolen bases. Bauers is currently playing through a fractured big toe on his right foot, but it doesn't appear that the injury will cost him much playing time.

Rumfield went 3-for-5 with two runs and three RBI in a 12-6 victory against Kansas City on Saturday.

All three of Rumfield's knocks were singles, but they came at opportune times, as each of the three hits drove in a run. The contact-hitting first baseman logged his ninth game of three or more hits this season and improved his batting average to .297, which ranks seventh best among qualified NL hitters. Rumfield has added 13 homers, 22 doubles, two triples, 48 runs and 57 RBI in what has been a strong rookie campaign.

Freeman went 3-for-4 with a run scored in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Red Sox.

Freeman has logged three hits in five of the 11 games during his active hitting streak, a stretch in which he's batting .511 (23-for-45). The first baseman had produced only four three-hit performances prior to the end of June. His recent surge at the plate has him batting .310 with an .875 OPS, 15 home runs, 54 RBI, 57 runs scored and five stolen bases over 108 games.

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said after Saturday's 3-2 win over the Dodgers that Contreras (head) is on track to return to the lineup for Sunday's series finale, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Contreras was struck in the head by a pitch during Friday's series opener. He was removed from that game and was held out of Saturday's lineup as a precaution, but since he's not exhibiting any symptoms of a concussion, Contreras looks poised to start at first base Sunday. Nick Sogard filled in for Contreras on Saturday and went 0-for-2 with a walk.

Rice isn't in the Yankees' starting lineup versus the Cubs on Saturday.

According to Zach Sweet of MLB.com, it's just a planned day off for Rice, as manager Aaron Boone said he's been looking for a good time to give the star slugger a rest. Amed Rosario is getting a turn at DH on Saturday with Rice out of the lineup.

Kurtz isn't in the Athletics' starting lineup Saturday versus Detroit.

Kurtz was hit in the forearm by a pitch Wednesday and underwent an MRI, but he was back in the lineup both Thursday and Friday. At this point, it's unclear if his exit from the starting nine Saturday is related to that issue or if he's simply getting a day off. It's worth noting that the star first baseman slumped for most of July, slashing a meager .028/.125/.111 with just one home run and 20 strikeouts over his final 12 games of the month. Jonah Heim is starting at first base in Kurtz's stead Saturday.

Contreras, who was hit in the head by a pitch and had to exit Friday's game, isn't in Boston's starting lineup versus the Dodgers on Saturday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Contreras initially stayed in the game to run the bases following Friday's plunking, but he was removed on defense in the following frame. He was placed in concussion protocol due to the hit-by-pitch and was reportedly "doing well," per Healey, but he's nonetheless not starting Saturday. In his place, Nick Sogard is in the lineup at first base.

Garcia (knee) will start at first base and bat second Saturday against Atlanta.

Garcia was forced to make an early exit from Friday's game due to right knee soreness, but the injury won't cause him to miss any starts. The 26-year-old is enjoying a career season and hasn't slowed down in the second half, slashing .280/.294/.600 with three homers, eight RBI and three runs scored in 13 games since the break.