MLB Player News

Encarnacion-Strand went 4-for-4 with a double, a home run and three RBI in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Giants.

The rookie provided the Cincinnati bullpen with some breathing room when he launched a two-run shot off Tyler Rogers in the eighth inning. Encarnacion-Strand hadn't had a multi-hit performance since Aug. 19 and hadn't homered since Aug. 18, but the more important streak he snapped dated back to Aug. 4 -- the last time he avoided striking out. He closes the books on the month having posted a .255/.324/.418 slash line with four homers, nine runs and 12 RBI in 27 games, but his 34.3 percent strikeout rate and 5.6 percent walk rate during that time highlight the biggest obstacle between his loud tools and consistent production.

Freeman went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, a double and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 7-0 win over the Diamondbacks.

Freeman's blast was his 25th of the season, making this the third time in six seasons he's reached that mark. Even by his lofty standards, the first baseman has had a good August, batting .375 with four homers, 16 doubles, 16 RBI, 22 runs scored and four stolen bases over 28 games. The impressive month has lifted his season slash line to .338/.413/.586 through 132 contests.

Torkelson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's loss to the Yankees.

Torkelson went deep in the sixth inning against New York starter Gerrit Cole, giving him 24 home runs this season and nine in August alone. The youngster struck out in his other three at-bats, and he's striking out just under 25 percent of the time on the year. That will be an area for Torkelson to improve upon if he wants to take another step forward in 2024, though he's definitely shown signs of progress in his second MLB campaign.

Pratto (groin/hip) will begin a rehab assignment Wednesday with Triple-A Omaha.

Pratto seems likely to return to the Royals' active major-league roster by early next week, assuming all goes well during his stint in the minors. The 24-year-old landed on the injured list July 28 with a left groin strain and encountered a bit of a hip issue last week, but he's ready now to get back into live games.

Gurriel will start at first base and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Rays, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Gurriel will serve as the Marlins' first baseman for the second day in a row, essentially replacing Jorge Soler (hip) in the lineup while Josh Bell handles designated-hitter duties. Since the Marlins acquired Bell on Aug. 1, Gurriel has made just 10 starts and is hitting .162 with two extra-base hits (both doubles) over 37 at-bats on the month.

Abreu is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.

Abreu has put together some good at-bats since being activated from the 10-day injured list exactly a week ago, as he's slashing .300/.391/.500 with a pair of extra-base hits and three walks against two strikeouts in his first five games back in action. He'll give way to Jon Singleton at first base in the day game after a night game, but Abreu still appears to be locked in as Houston's primary first baseman, despite enduring a career-worst season during his first year with the Astros.

Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Most of the lefty-hitting Smith's absences from the lineup typically come against left-handed pitching, but he'll hit the bench Wednesday against right-hander Chris Bassitt. With Smith taking a seat after starting in each of the past four games, Joey Meneses will serve as the Nationals' first baseman while Keibert Ruiz gets a day off behind the plate and settles in as the team's designated hitter.

Mariners manager Scott Servais said France (wrist) will be in the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Athletics, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

France was removed from Tuesday's 3-1 loss after a ball struck his left wrist on a pickoff attempt. He's evidently feeling much better a day later and won't wind up missing any starts. France boasts an .868 OPS so far in August.

Solano will start at first base and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Guardians.

After taking a seat for Tuesday's 4-2 loss, Solano will draw back into the lineup for the series finale for what will be his 14th start in 15 games. The 35-year-old has been a major boon for fantasy managers in the batting-average category in August (.361 over 72 at-bats), but his production is lacking in just about every other area (no home runs or stolen bases, nine runs and seven RBI). He's firmly supplanted Joey Gallo as the Twins' top option at first base at the moment, though Solano will be at risk of falling into a short-side platoon role once Alex Kirilloff (shoulder) returrns from the injured list.

Santana (ankle) will start at first base and bat third in Wednesday's game versus the Cubs.

Santana missed the previous two games with a sprained right ankle but is feeling well enough to give it a go Wednesday. The veteran first baseman comes into the series finale with the Cubs with a .701 OPS but six home runs in his first 25 contests as a member of the Brewers.