MLB Player News

Dixon is starting at designated hitter and batting eighth Friday in Philadelphia.

Left-hander Cristopher Sanchez is getting the start for the Phillies, so the Padres will put Dixon's right-handed bat at DH. The 31-year-old has just a .437 OPS versus lefties this season in the majors but has posted an .876 OPS against southpaws in 2023 at Triple-A El Paso.

Ellis was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

He's taking the spot of Josh Harrison (wrist). The 27-year-old Ellis fared well during a brief stint with the Phillies earlier this season, posting a .919 OPS with two homers over eight games. He can fill in at multiple infield spots.

Triple-A Durham placed Manzardo on its 7-day injured list Monday due to an unspecified issue.

Manzardo was recently deactivated after he was selected to play in Saturday's All-Star Futures Game, but he ultimately went unused in the exhibition. The Rays haven't provided an explanation behind why Manzardo didn't play in the Futures Game, though it's worth noting that he exited in the third inning of his most recent game with Durham last Thursday, which may be when he sustained an injury. The first base prospect finished the first half of the season with a .238/.342/.442 slash line and 11 home runs across 313 plate appearances with Durham.

Aranda was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 25-year-old was just optioned Tuesday but is already back on the roster with Yandy Diaz going on paternity leave. Aranda could get a start or two at first base while Diaz is away. He is 1-for-8 at the plate during his brief time in the majors this season and has a 1.044 OPS this year at Durham.

Diaz was placed on the paternity leave list Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Diaz -- who welcomed new baby boy Yandy Jr. on Wednesday -- will miss at least Friday's game in Kansas City but is expected back either Saturday or Sunday, per Topkin. Jonathan Aranda will be recalled to take his spot on the Rays' roster.

Toglia is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque by the Rockies prior to Friday's game versus the Yankees, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The Rockies previously announced the demotion of Elehuris Montero and it sounds like Toglia will be the corresponding move. Toglia has struggled during his major-league opportunities but sports a .981 OPS with eight home runs over his last 23 games with Albuquerque.

Isaac is slashing .296/.372/.522 with four home runs, three steals and a 26:14 K:BB in 29 games since June 1 for Single-A Charleston.

The 6-foot-3 first baseman could end up with 80-grade raw power when it's all said and done, and his 18.2 percent strikeout rate and 15.4 percent walk rate at Single-A are encouraging marks. It's a small sample, but the lefty-hitting Isaac has a .648 OPS in 61 plate appearances against lefties and a .903 OPS in 192 plate appearances against righties. All seven of his home runs have come against opposite-handed pitching.

Aranda was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

He was up with the Rays for two days while Josh Lowe was on the family medical emergency list, but he'll now head back to Durham with Lowe back in the fold. Aranda has crushed Triple-A pitching again this season, but it hasn't led to much of an opportunity in the majors.

Montero was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque following Sunday's 1-0 loss to the Giants.

Montero will head back to Triple-A after being called up from Albuquerque on May 29. The 24-year-old produced a .145 average with four extra-base hits, including a homer, eight RBI and four runs scored over 55 at-bats in 18 games during his second stint with Colorado in 2023. Montero will look to hit for a higher average with Triple-A before potentially earning another call-up later this season.

Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Sunday's win over the Rangers.

The first baseman will carry some momentum into the All-Star break after taking Dane Dunning deep in the fifth inning. Smith has only five homers on the season, but three of them have come in his last 13 games, a stretch in which he's slashing .295/.340/.523. On the downside, all three long balls came with the bases empty and he has no other RBI during that time, but if the 29-year-old stays hot in the second half, his production should catch up.