MLB Player News
-
Joey Meneses DH | NYM
Nationals' Joey Meneses: Heating up at plate
Meneses went 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored and two RBI in Thursday's win over Atlanta.
The 32-year-old has five hits in his last two games, and starting with a May 14 doubleheader against the Red Sox, Meneses is slashing .333/.385/.438 with two doubles, a homer and seven RBI over 13 contests. With the Nationals' lineup fully healthy again, Meneses will need to keep hitting if he wants to maintain regular playing time between first base and DH.
-
Vinnie Pasquantino 1B | KC
Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino: Homers in return
Pasquantino went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 7-6 loss to the Twins.
Pasquantino missed Wednesday's game due to a shin injury, but his absence wasn't a long one. He served as the designated hitter Thursday, but it shouldn't be long before he's back at first base. The 26-year-old's homer was his first since May 9, which was also the date of his previous multi-hit effort. Pasquantino is slashing just .229/.309/.404 with six homers, 35 RBI, 26 runs scored, 13 doubles and a triple over 220 plate appearances.
-
Anthony Rizzo 1B | NYY
Yankees' Anthony Rizzo: Getting breather Thursday
Rizzo isn't in the Yankees' lineup for Thursday's game against the Angels.
Rizzo owns a .351 OPS across his past six games, so the Yankees will give him a rare day off Thursday so he can clear his head. DJ LeMahieu will shift to first base while Oswaldo Cabrera starts at the hot corner, batting ninth.
-
Dominic Smith 1B | ATL
Red Sox's Dominic Smith: Sitting down Thursday
Smith isn't in the Red Sox's lineup for Thursday's game against the Tigers, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Smith failed to record a hit in 12 plate appearances during Boston's previous series against Baltimore, so he'll get a chance to clear his head Thursday. Garrett Cooper will get the nod at first base and bat sixth.
-
Pete Alonso 1B | BAL
Mets' Pete Alonso: Held out of lineup Thursday
Alonso (hand) is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Diamondbacks.
Alonso managed to avoid any fractures after exiting Wednesday's game versus the Dodgers following a hit-by-pitch on the right hand. However, he is dealing with a painful bone bruise that will cause him to miss at least one start. Mark Vientos will handle first base Thursday while Brett Baty covers third base.
-
Jonathan Singleton DH | HOU
Astros' Jon Singleton: Getting Thursday off
Singleton isn't in the Astros' lineup for Thursday's game against the Mariners, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Singleton went 1-for-11 with five strikeouts through the first three games of Houston's series with the Mariners, so he'll get a day to regroup Thursday. Jose Abreu will draw a start at first base instead, batting eighth.
-
Rhys Hoskins 1B | CLE
Brewers' Rhys Hoskins: Return this weekend possible
Hoskins (hamstring) could be activated as soon as this weekend's series versus the White Sox, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Hoskins has ramped up his running in recent days and is nearly ready to play in games. It's possible the Brewers will ask him to play a few rehab games with Single-A Wisconsin this weekend, and if that happens, it will set Hoskins up for a return Monday at his old stomping grounds in Philadelphia. Hoskins has missed the last two weeks of action with a right hamstring strain.
-
Pete Alonso 1B | BAL
Mets' Pete Alonso: CT scan confirms no fracture
Alonso is day-to-day after a CT scan confirmed he didn't suffer a fracture when he was hit by a pitch in the right hand during Wednesday's 10-3 loss to the Dodgers, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports.
X-rays and now a CT scan have both come back negative, as Alonso has managed to avoid a serious injury and is dealing with a bone bruise to his right hand. It's possible he'll still miss a game or two if he remains sore, but the veteran first baseman looks poised to avoid a stint on the 10-day injured list.
-
Vinnie Pasquantino 1B | KC
Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino: Draws back into lineup
Pasquantino (shin) will start at designated hitter and will bat third in Thursday's game against the Twins.
After exiting early in Tuesday's 4-2 loss when Byron Buxton's knee collided with his left shin, Pasquantino sat out Wednesday's 6-1 win. The day off appears to be all Pasquantino needed for the pain in his lower leg to subside, so he'll rejoin the starting nine in a non-defensive role for the series finale. Salvador Perez will get a day off behind the plate and will start at Pasquantino's usual spot at first base.
-
Josh Bell DH | MIN
Marlins' Josh Bell: Three hits in Wednesday's rout
Bell went 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored in Wednesday's win over the Padres.
Facing one of his former clubs, Bell racked up his second straight three-hit performance. The 31-year-old first baseman has been on a tear to close out May, slashing .340/.358/.500 over the last 12 games with five doubles, a homer and eight RBI. Bell's .689 OPS on the season is still below his usual level of production -- his lowest mark over a full campaign is .744, set last year -- but he's quickly closing the gap.