MLB Player News
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Freddie Freeman 1B | LAD
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Drives in three in loss
Freeman went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, two walks and three total RBI in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Blue Jays.
Freeman hit a go-ahead solo shot in the first inning before forcing in runs with bases-loaded walks in the second and eighth frames. The first baseman has hit safely in 10 of his last 12 games, going 18-for-45 (.400) with four homers and 14 RBI in that span. Overall, he has a .305/.378/.491 slash line with 14 long balls, 66 RBI, 57 runs scored and two stolen bases across 105 games this season. He's continued to provide steady contact despite a 22.6 percent strikeout rate that is his highest since 2016.
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Vinnie Pasquantino 1B | KC
Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino: Smacks 20th homer
Pasquantino went 1-for-5 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Twins in extra innings.
Pasquantino put the Royals ahead 3-2 in the seventh inning with his 20th homer, a two-out, two-strike blast off Cole Sands. The 27-year-old Pasquantino had been scuffling a bit heading into Sunday's contest, going just 5-for-35 (.143) with a .488 OPS in his previous nine games. Overall, he's slashing .258/.321/.436 with 71 RBI and 46 runs scored across 495 plate appearances this year.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B | TOR
Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero: Homer, double in win
Guerrero went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an RBI double in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Dodgers.
Guerrero opened the scoring by plating Bo Bichette with a first-inning double. In the eighth, Guerrero's homer tied the game at 3-3. The first baseman has gone 12-for-39 (.308) with four homers, seven RBI and four doubles over nine games in August. He's up to 19 long balls, 64 RBI, 80 runs scored, five stolen bases, 28 doubles and a .296/.396/.488 slash line through 117 contests overall.
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Abraham Toro 1B | BOS
Red Sox's Abraham Toro: Taking seat in series finale
Toro is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.
Toro started at first base in the first two games of the series and went 1-for-8 with a walk and a run scored between those contests, but he'll give way to Romy Gonzalez in the finale. The two should continue to share the first-base position moving forward, with Toro likely getting the bulk of the starts against right-handed pitching.
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Dominic Smith 1B | SF
Giants' Dominic Smith: Hitting bench in Flores' return
Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.
Smith had started at first base or designated hitter in seven of the previous nine games, but he'll see a downturn in playing time with Wilmer Flores (hamstring) making his return to the starting nine Sunday. The Giants are likely to lean on a combination of Rafael Devers and Flores at first base and designated hitter more often than not, though Smith could replace Flores against some right-handed pitchers.
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Jake Burger 3B | TEX
Rangers' Jake Burger: Sitting against righty
Burger is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.
After being reinstated from the injured list Friday, Burger started in the first two games of the series while the Phillies sent lefties to the bump. With Zack Wheeler on the mound Sunday, Burger will head to the bench, and he may have to settle for the short side of a platoon at either first base or designated hitter while the Texas lineup is at close to full strength.
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Carlos Santana 1B | CHC
Guardians' Carlos Santana: Sitting in second straight
Santana is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.
Jose Ramirez is getting a partial day off as the designated hitter, leaving no room in the starting nine for Santana. The switch-hitting Santana should still be locked into an everyday role against left-handed pitching, but he could have to settle for a part-time role versus righties if the Guardians remain committed to opening up playing time for younger bats.
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Troy Johnston RF | COL
Marlins' Troy Johnston: On bench against southpaw
Johnston is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta.
The 28-year-old rookie was on the bench for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader while Atlanta sent righty Erick Fedde to the hill, and Johnston will remain there with southpaw Joey Wentz on the mound for the series finale. Since getting the call to the big leagues July 29, Johnston has gone just 4-for-21 with no walks and six strikeouts. He's in danger of losing playing time if he's unable to get going at the plate soon.
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Paul Goldschmidt 1B | NYY
Yankees' Paul Goldschmidt: Giving way to Rice on Sunday
Goldschmidt is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.
After batting leadoff and going 1-for-4 in Saturday's 5-4 win while left-hander Framber Valdez started for Houston, the right-handed-hitting Goldschmidt will find himself on the bench Sunday for a third straight matchup with a righty (Jason Alexander). The left-handed-hitting Ben Rice owns a 223-point edge over Goldschmidt in OPS versus right-handed pitching on the season, so the former player could continue to be prioritized at first base in those matchups.
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Spencer Steer 1B | CIN
Reds' Spencer Steer: Logs two hits Saturday
Steer started at first base and went 2-for-4 with a run scored in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Pirates.
Steer returned to the lineup after getting a breather Friday. He's struggled at the dish since the All-Star break and entered Saturday batting .145 (9-for-62) over the previous 18 contests. Despite the slump, Steer has managed to provide a few key hits, knocking in 11 runs during that time.