MLB Player News

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a walk, a solo home run, a double and an additional run scored during the Red Sox's 11-1 win over the Diamondbacks on Monday.

All nine Red Sox starters drove in at least one run during Monday's rout, with Contreras contributing with a solo homer over the Green Monster in the fifth inning. The veteran first baseman has been in a bit of a slump at the plate since August, but his long ball against Arizona was his 25th of the season, surpassing his previous career high that he set in 2019 with the Cubs. For the year, Contreras has a .924 OPS (fourth-best in the majors) with 73 RBI and three steals across 469 plate appearances.

Fernandez was recalled from Triple-A Reno ahead of Monday's game against the Red Sox.

Fernandez will take the roster spot of Ketel Marte, who was placed on the restricted list prior to first pitch. Fernandez is penciled into the starting nine at the hot corner and will bat seventh against Boston on Monday, though he's also seen playing time at first base (17 games), shortstop (five games) and as the designated hitter (19 games) so far this season with Arizona.

Stowers (hamstring) is in the middle of a return-to-play running progression, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.

Stowers suffered a left hamstring strain just over a week ago, so it's a good sign that he's already running again to test out his injured leg. He will be eligible for activation Friday, and while it seems unlikely Stowers will be ready to go on that day, he shouldn't have any trouble being reinstated from the 10-day injured list before the end of August.

The Diamondbacks optioned Locklear to Triple-A Reno on Monday.

Locklear ended up being a casualty of the 26-man active roster after the Diamondbacks needed to clear a spot for outfielder Jordan Lawlar's (hamstring) return from the 10-day injured list. After being recalled from Reno on July 17, Locklear served mainly as a short-side platoon player during his time with Arizona, batting .278/.357/.444 with one home run, one stolen base, six RBI and eight runs in 15 games. He'll get the chance to play on a more regular basis at Triple-A.

Torkelson is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates.

After putting together an eight-game hitting streak from Aug. 6 through Friday while getting on base at a .529 clip during that stretch, Torkelson closed out the Tigers' weekend series versus the White Sox with a whimper, going 0-for-7 with a walk in the final two contests. The Tigers will give Torkelson a night off to regroup, with Colt Keith spelling him at first base Monday.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Monday that O'Hearn (quadriceps) has been cleared to play catch and take some swings in the batting cage, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.

O'Hearn is almost three weeks removed from landing on the 10-day injured list due to a left quad strain, and he's made enough progress in his recovery to begin incorporating some light baseball activities into his training regimen. He'll report to the Pirates' spring training complex in Florida later this week to continue ramping up his rehab. O'Hearn was given a 6-to-8 week timeline when he hit the shelf, and he would seem to have a good shot and returning on the shorter end of that timetable.

The Royals reinstated Pasquantino (wrist) from the 10-day injured list Monday. He'll start at first base and bat fifth in the team's series opener versus the Athletics.

Kansas City will get two major lineup pieces back ahead of its four-game series with the Athletics, as third baseman Maikel Garcia (hand) was also activated from the IL. Pasquantino ended up spending just under three weeks on the shelf due to soreness in his right wrist, the same hand he previously required surgery for June 14 to address a broken hamate bone. Though Pasquantino should be available to play on a near-everyday basis as the regular season winds down, fantasy managers may want to temper expectations for his power production as he works to regain full strength in his wrist.

The Mets selected Morel's contract from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.

Morel inked a minor-league deal with the Mets in late June and has earned a promotion to the big club after slashing .321/.382/.716 with 12 home runs in only 31 contests with Syracuse. The 27-year-old began this season with the Marlins before being cut loose after managing a lowly .425 OPS in 22 contests. Morel could get a chance to play against some lefties.

The Mets designated Arias for assignment Monday.

Arias was a waiver claim of the Mets earlier this month and is now headed back to the waiver wire after going 0-for-5 during his brief stint in New York. He's being replaced on the active roster by Christopher Morel.

Ortiz went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's loss to the Mets.

The rookie first baseman continues to shine, taking Christian Scott deep in the third inning for his fourth homer in the last seven games. Since rejoining the big-league roster in early August, seemingly for good, Ortiz has hit .289 (11-for-38) with five home runs, six runs and nine RBI in 13 contests.