MLB Player News
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Yandy Diaz 1B | TB
Rays' Yandy Diaz: Performance turning around
Diaz went 2-for-4 with an RBI on Wednesday against the Tigers.
Diaz got off to a slow start to the season, but he now has at least one hit in seven of his last eight starts. In that span, he also has four multi-hit performances and a .314 batting average. Counting stats haven't followed Diaz's turnaround at the plate, but as the locked-in leadoff hitter, that should also change as the season progresses.
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Jonathan Singleton DH | HOU
Astros' Jon Singleton: Takes advantage of rare start
Singleton went 2-for-4 with a run scored Wednesday against the Cubs.
He was in the lineup for the ninth time this season while filling in for Jose Abreu at first base. Singleton managed his second multi-hit performance of the campaign and is hitting .256 across 43 plate appearances. Even with Abreu's struggles this season, Singleton looks unlikely to pick up significant playing time.
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Jared Walsh 1B | CHW
Jared Walsh: Enters free agency
Walsh cleared waivers Wednesday and elected to become a free agent.
Walsh was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Saturday to make room for Nathaniel Lowe's return from the IL, and the 30-year-old first baseman will now take his chances on the open market. He is slashing .226/.317/.321 with a home and seven RBI through 60 plate appearances on the year and should be able to at least secure a minor-league deal with another organization.
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Ezequiel Duran SS | TEX
Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: On bench for fourth straight game
Duran is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners.
After seeing his streak of six consecutive starts come to an end Saturday, Duran has now found himself on the bench for four straight contests. Duran's path to meaningful playing time appears to have come to a close with Josh Smith solidifying himself as Josh Jung's (wrist) primary replacement at third base and with first baseman Nathaniel Lowe having made his return from the injured list over the weekend.
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Jose Abreu 1B | HOU
Astros' Jose Abreu: Sits again amid slump
Abreu is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.
Abreu is on the bench for the second time in three days after an 0-for-3 showing in Tuesday's 7-2 loss to the Cubs dropped his season-long slash line to .065/.132/.081 over 68 plate appearances. Though Jon Singleton will pick up another start at Abreu's expense, prospect Joey Loperfido looks to be the longer-term replacement at first base if the Astros elect to move on from the struggling Abreu at any point. An outfielder for most of his minor-league career, Loperfido has made five starts at first base for Triple-A Sugar Land so far this season and has posted a 1.028 OPS over 20 games to put himself on the radar for a promotion.
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Joey Gallo LF | CHW
Nationals' Joey Gallo: Shifting to right field
Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday that Gallo will play right field while Lane Thomas (knee) is sidelined, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Washington will let Gallo get his feet wet in right field right away, as he'll occupy the position and bat fifth Wednesday against the Dodgers after having previously not made a start in the outfield all season while instead playing first base or serving as a designated hitter. Gallo has won multiple Gold Gloves for his defensive work in the outfield, so he's a sensible solution in right field. Trey Lipscomb is slated to see ample action at first base during Thomas' upcoming absence, while Joey Meneses will also be an option there.
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Jake Bauers RF | MIL
Brewers' Jake Bauers: On bench again Wednesday
Bauers is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates.
Bauers was on the bench for Tuesday's 2-1 loss while Pittsburgh brought left-hander Bailey Falter to the hill, and the lefty-hitting first baseman will remain in a reserve role Wednesday while southpaw Josh Fleming opens the contest for the Bucs. Owen Miller will draw the start at first base in place of Bauers.
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Ryan Mountcastle 1B | BAL
Orioles' Ryan Mountcastle: Returns to lineup Wednesday
Mountcastle (knee) will start at first base and bat third in Wednesday's game versus the Angels.
Mountcastle missed two games with some knee soreness but is feeling well enough to give it a go Wednesday against left-hander Tyler Anderson. The 27-year-old is sporting a .333/.395/.507 batting line with two home runs over 20 contests this season.
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LaMonte Wade 1B | CHW
Giants' LaMonte Wade: Sitting against southpaw
Wade is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
As per usual, the lefty-hitting Wade finds himself on the bench while the Giants face off against a left-handed starting pitcher (Sean Manaea) in the series finale. Wilmer Flores will replace Wade at first base and as the Giants' No. 2 batter.