MLB Player News
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B | TOR
Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero: Crushes 18th homer
Guerrero went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and two RBI in Friday's 7-3 win over the Red Sox.
The first baseman took James Paxton deep in the first inning for a solo shot, one of five Blue Jays homers on the night. Winning the Home Run Derby during the All-Star break has perked up Guerrero's power output, as five of his 18 long balls this season have come in the 20 games since, but his .230/.341/.473 slash line during that stretch remains something of a disappointment.
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Elehuris Montero 1B | COL
Rockies' Elehuris Montero: Strikeouts remain issue
Montero went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored Friday against the Cardinals.
Since being recalled July 25, Montero has started six of nine games split between first base and DH. He's collected seven hits in 25 at-bats, though he's still striking out at a 37 percent clip. Montero began the season as an option at third base for the Rockies, but he struggled there defensively and has since been limited to the opposite corner of the infield. In order to maintain playing time once Charlie Blackmon (hand) and Kris Bryant (hand) return -- both remain without a timetable -- Montero will have to continue to hit.
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Ty France 1B | SD
Mariners' Ty France: Blasts three-run homer
France went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a pair of walks in Friday's 9-7 win over the Angels.
France snapped a 35-game homer drought with his first-inning blast, which set an early tone in favor of the Mariners. He hit just .200 with a .515 OPS during his power outage. The 29-year-old's power has taken a step back this year -- he's swatted just eight long balls in 107 contests with a .122 ISO. The first baseman has a .252/.327/.374 slash line with 43 RBI, 58 runs scored, a stolen base and 26 doubles.
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Alfonso Rivas 1B | STL
Pirates' Alfonso Rivas: Collects three hits
Rivas went 3-for-5 with a three-run homer and a triple in Friday's victory against the Brewers.
Rivas got the Pirates on the board with his first-inning long ball, his first homer of the year in his second game with Pittsburgh after being dealt by the Padres before the trade deadline. Rivas is expected to get the bulk of the playing time at first base for the Pirates down the stretch, and the 26-year-old could be surprisingly productive given his career .313/.424/.492 slash line over 150 games at Triple-A.
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Josh Naylor 1B | SEA
Guardians' Josh Naylor: Likely out 3-to-6 weeks
Naylor, who was placed on the injured list earlier Friday, was diagnosed with a right oblique strain and is expected to miss 3-to-6 weeks, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Naylor began experiencing tightness in his right side earlier this week, and an MRI taken Thursday revealed the strained oblique. David Fry could fill in as the Guardians' primary first baseman, with Gabriel Arias representing another option at the position.
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Luke Raley RF | SEA
Rays' Luke Raley: Out with bruised knee
Raley (knee) is out of the lineup Friday against the Tigers.
Raley fouled a ball off his right knee in Wednesday's series finale against the Yankees and is considered day-to-day. Harold Ramirez will serve as the Rays' designated hitter Friday in Detroit as Randy Arozarena, Jose Siri and Josh Lowe start across the outfield.
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Gabriel Arias SS | CLE
Guardians' Gabriel Arias: Takes seat Friday
Arias is not in the lineup Friday versus the White Sox.
Brayan Rocchio will start at shortstop and bat seventh for Cleveland. Arias has picked it up offensively in recent weeks, but the 23-year-old is slashing just .206/.303/.321 across 80 total major-league games this season.
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Kole Calhoun 1B | CLE
Guardians' Kole Calhoun: Acquired by Cleveland
Cleveland acquired Calhoun from the Dodgers on Friday in exchange for cash considerations, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Calhoun has posted a shiny .297/.376/.530 slash line with nine home runs and 46 RBI in 58 games (266 plate appearances) this season between the Triple-A affiliates of the Yankees and Dodgers this season. The Guardians will add the 35-year-old outfielder to the MLB roster, and it's possible he's called upon to help replace the injured Josh Naylor (oblique) in the lineup.
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Josh Naylor 1B | SEA
Guardians' Josh Naylor: Placed on 10-day IL
Naylor was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to Aug. 1, with right side tightness, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Naylor has been out since Monday because of the issue and will now miss at least another seven days. The 26-year-old has a strong .306/.346/.500 slash line with 15 homers, 79 RBI, six stolen bases and 41 runs scored through 96 games. David Fry is playing first base for Cleveland on Friday against the White Sox, while Oscar Gonzalez will serve as the DH.