MLB Player News

Noda (hand) started at designated hitter and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in a win over the Rangers on Thursday.

He sat out each of the first two games of the series against the Rangers with a hand bruise suffered in batting practice, and it may have still been bothering him in his return. Noda had reached twice and scored two runs in his last contest Sunday, which marks one of his most productive efforts of a disappointing early part of the season. Through 43 plate appearances, the 28-year-old has just one extra-base hit, a double, and sports an ugly .189/.286/.216 slash line that's partly the byproduct of a 32.6 percent strikeout rate.

Pasquantino went 3-for-5 with a double, three RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 13-3 win over the Astros.

Pasquantino's slow start has been the cloud looming over an otherwise excellent first two weeks of the campaign for the Royals. He's making up for lost time now with six hits and eight RBI over his last two contests, a span that also includes all three of his extra-base hits on the year. He's still hitting .222 with a .641 OPS, but the first baseman's recent performances show why the Royals stuck with him through the early slump. Pasquantino should continue to handle a near-everyday role between first base and designated hitter.

Dalbec will be recalled from Triple-A Worcester prior to Friday's game versus the Angels, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

It hasn't been 10 days since Dalbec was optioned, which means he will have to replace an injured player. That player presumably will either be Romy Gonzalez (wrist) or Rafael Devers (shoulder), but it's not clear yet which of the two players it will be. If it's Devers, Dalbec could get a decent number of reps at third base.

Tellez is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Philadelphia.

Tellez hasn't always been on the bench against lefties this season, but he will be for this one against southpaw Ranger Suarez. Connor Joe is at first base and in the leadoff spot.

Naylor went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, an RBI double, a walk and two total runs scored in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the White Sox.

The Naylor brothers sparked the comeback, as Josh got Cleveland on the board with a solo shot in the fourth inning and Bo hit a two-run blast in the same frame. Both of them drove in a run in the 10th as well to finish what they started. The elder Naylor, Josh, is slashing .333/.417/.641 with three homers, nine RBI, eight runs scored, three doubles and a 5:4 BB:K over 48 plate appearances as a near-everyday presence in the lineup at first base.

Walsh is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics.

With Oakland bringing a lefty (JP Sears) to the hill Thursday, the lefty-hitting Walsh will take a seat for the second time in the series. Ezequiel Duran will step in for Walsh at first base and will bat sixth.

Abreu is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Kansas City, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports..

Abreu has been unspeakably bad at the plate in the early going, sporting a .227 OPS and 31.7 percent strikeout rate. It's his fourth day off already this season and in his last start he batted eighth. Given Abreu's struggles last season, he could continue to see his playing time dwindle if he doesn't right the ship. Jon Singleton will handle first base Thursday.

Guerrero went 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Wednesday's 6-1 extra-innings loss to Seattle.

Guerrero was responsible for the Jays' lone run Wednesday with a 459-foot solo blast off Logan Gilbert that tied the game 1-1 in the seventh inning. It's the third homer of the year for Guerrero, though he's gotten off to a slow start at the plate, going 10-for-50 with five RBI through his first 13 games. The 25-year-old Guerrero hit at least 30 homers with 90 RBI in each of his past two campaigns -- he slashed .264/.345/.444 across 602 at-bats last season.

Toglia went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

Toglia has carried over a power surge from spring training, as he has three home runs across only 26 plate appearances in the regular season. He is still in the Rockies' lineup on an irregular basis, though he has started six of the last 10 games after not starting in any of the team's first three games. Toglia could be working his way into a small-side platoon role, as two of his last three starts have come in right field with Charlie Blackmon sitting against a lefty.

Pages will be optioned to Triple-A Memphis prior to Friday's game in Arizona, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Pages was up briefly as catching protection for the Cardinals while a hand injury limited Willson Contreras to designated hitter duties. He struck out in his lone plate appearance in what was his major-league debut.