MLB Player News

Pratto will start at first base and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

He'll pick up his fifth consecutive start Wednesday, and with the Royals optioning Franmil Reyes to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday, the team should have everyday spots available at first base and designated hitter for both Pratto and Vinnie Pasquantino for the foreseeable future. Of course, how long Pratto retains steady playing time will likely hinge on how he performs at the plate. Thus far, the 24-year-old has gone 7-for-21 with a 2:12 BB:K over his first six games with Kansas City this season.

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

The 38-year-old will pick up his third start in four games, and he could be headed for regular playing time at first base in the short term after Garrett Cooper (ear) was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday. Even at his advanced age, Gurriel continues to make contact at a high rate, so he could make for a decent source of batting average while he's getting steady playing time. Fantasy managers shouldn't look to him for much power production, however.

Miami placed Cooper on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with an inner ear infection, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Cooper exited Sunday's win over the Cubs and didn't play in Tuesday's loss to Atlanta with what had been called an upset stomach, but he's evidently dealing with a different physical concern. It's not entirely clear whether he'll be ready to return from the IL when first eligible May 12. Yuli Gurriel will likely serve as the regular first baseman for the Marlins while Cooper is out.

Clemens is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

Before taking a seat for Tuesday's 13-1 loss, Clemens had started in three consecutive games at either first base or designated hitter, going 2-for-11 with a pair of home runs and a walk. With Bryce Harper (elbow) returning from the 10-day injured list Tuesday and set to serve as the Phillies' full-time designated hitter moving forward, Clemens doesn't look like he'll have a path to playing on a regular basis.

Wade is starting at first base and batting ninth Wednesday in Houston, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The Astros are throwing left-hander Framber Valdez, but Wade has earned an everyday lineup spot with the way he's swinging the bat. It's the eighth straight start for Wade, which includes two versus lefties over that span.

Mountcastle went 3-for-6 with two home runs, a double, five RBI and three runs scored in Tuesday's 11-7 win over the Royals.

Mountcastle kicked off the scoring for the Orioles with a two-run blast to left in the fourth. The 26-year-old now ranks fourth in the majors with 26 RBI and is tied for fourth with eight homers in 29 games thus far. Tuesday's performance raised his slash line to .256/.275/.504 as he's become a valuable fantasy first baseman in his third full-time season.

Freeman went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run, a double and two total runs scored in Tuesday's 13-1 win over the Phillies.

Freeman's blast was part of a five-run rally in the eighth inning that turned this contest into a true blowout. The first baseman has multiple hits in five of his last 10 games, going 15-for-43 (.349) over that span. He's up to a .309/.386/.496 slash line with five homers, 13 RBI, 24 runs scored, four stolen bases and seven doubles through 31 contests.

France (illness) went 0-for-3 with a walk in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Athletics.

France missed two games while under the weather, and he couldn't do much in a contest that saw the Mariners' bats silenced until the eighth inning. The first baseman is now slashing .238/.336/.352 with a home run, 15 RBI, 17 runs scored, nine doubles and a stolen base through 122 plate appearances. He should be good to handle a near-everyday role going forward.

Walker went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Tuesday's loss to Texas.

Walker led off the third with a solo shot to put the Diamondbacks up 4-1. But Arizona couldn't hold that lead, and Walker flew out to end the game with the tying run on base. The first baseman has 20 RBI in 28 games while operating out of the top half of a productive Arizona lineup.

France (illness) is hitting third and playing first base against Oakland on Tuesday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

France was out of the starting lineup the last two games for Seattle while battling a stomach bug, but he was able to play in both contests as a pinch hitter, and he's well enough to hit third against Mason Miller and the Athletics on Tuesday.