MLB Player News
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Rhys Hoskins 1B | MIL
Brewers' Rhys Hoskins: Stays warm Monday
Hoskins went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Monday's 8-3 win over Atlanta.
Hoskins has tapped into his power with three homers over his last four games and seven long balls over 20 contests in July. The first baseman is at 18 homers on the year, but he's bounced back nicely after lacking in power in June. For the season, he's slashing .219/.309/.442 with 55 RBI, 35 runs scored, two stolen bases and nine doubles over 327 plate appearances.
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Dominic Smith 1B | CIN
Red Sox's Dominic Smith: Goes deep in win
Smith went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Monday's 14-7 win over the Mariners.
Smith picked up two more extra-base hits to continue his recent hot stretch. Smith now has three homers in his last 16 games, the same amount he had in his first 54 games this season. Despite being relegated to a platoon role, Smith has had a solid first season with the Red Sox. The 29-year-old has six home runs, 32 RBI, and a .707 OPS through 70 games.
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Christian Walker 1B | ARI
Diamondbacks' Christian Walker: Exits due to tight oblique
Walker was removed from Monday's game against the Nationals after three innings due to left oblique tightness. He struck out in his lone plate appearance before exiting the contest.
An explanation behind Walker's early departure wasn't immediately known when Kevin Newman came off the bench to replace him in the top of the fourth inning, but the Diamondbacks provided clarity on the matter shortly thereafter. The fact that the injury is to the right-handed hitting Walker's left side isn't a great sign, but the Diamondbacks will wait and see what further tests reveal before providing a prognosis for the 33-year-old first baseman.
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Michael Busch 1B | CHC
Cubs' Michael Busch: Blasts 13th home run
Busch went 1-for-3 with a solo homer and a walk in Monday's 7-1 loss to the Reds.
Busch provided the only offense for the Cubs on Monday with a solo home run off Buck Farmer in the ninth inning. Busch's 13 homers are the second most by a rookie in MLB this season, trailing Colton Cowser (15). Busch continues his strong rookie campaign with a solid month of July in which he's hitting .273 with a .780 OPS.
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Nate Lowe 1B | TEX
Rangers' Nathaniel Lowe: Slugs ninth homer
Lowe went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and an additional run scored in Monday's 6-3 win versus St. Louis.
The Texas first baseman extended the lead to 6-2 in the seventh inning when he crushed a 407-foot, two-run homer off reliever Chris Roycroft. It marks Lowe's fifth long ball of July, as he has enjoyed a stellar month so far, hitting .291 (23-for-79) with 16 RBI, 11 runs scored and 23 walks. Overall, the 29-year-old is now slashing .272/.366/.403 across 347 plate appearances this season.
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Pete Alonso 1B | NYM
Mets' Pete Alonso: Thumps another homer
Alonso went 2-for-5 with a homer, a double, three runs scored and two RBI in Monday's 15-2 victory over Minnesota.
The New York slugger went yard for the second straight day and continued his post-break hot streak, as he entered slashing .278/.395/.556 with six extra-base hits over 43 plate appearances since the All-Star Game. Alonso cracked a 409-foot solo homer off Simeon Woods Richardson to open a six-run fourth inning for the Mets. Overall, the first baseman is now hitting .246 with 22 homers, 61 runs scored and 57 RBI on the season.
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Christian Walker 1B | ARI
Diamondbacks' Christian Walker: Exits early versus Nationals
Walker was removed from Monday's contest against the Nationals ahead of the fourth inning, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.
Walker struck out swinging in his only at-bat in the bottom of the second inning before he was replaced at first base by Kevin Newman. It's unclear why Walker was taken out of the game, but more information on his status will likely be provided in the near future.
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Michael Busch 1B | CHC
Cubs' Michael Busch: Provides offense Monday
Busch went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Monday's 7-1 loss to the Reds.
Busch connected for his 13th home run of the season in the ninth inning, giving the Cubs a small bit of positivity in a lopsided loss. The 26-year-old has been a positive all year with an .804 OPS across 101 games. There were some questions in the offseason about Busch's potential role with the Cubs, but he's seized a regular job at first base with his solid play and should stick there the rest of the way.
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Connor Joe 1B | PIT
Pirates' Connor Joe: Back on bench in Reynolds' return
Joe is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros.
Joe had picked up starts in three of the Pirates' last four games, but his run of regular playing time will likely come to an end after Bryan Reynolds (personal) reinstated from the bereavement list Monday. The Pirates should still clear a spot in the lineup for the right-handed-hitting Joe against left-handed pitching more often than not.
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Jake Bauers 1B | MIL
Brewers' Jake Bauers: Getting third straight start
Bauers will start at first base and bat third in Monday's game against Atlanta.
Bauers will pick up his third consecutive start after going 2-for-5 with a home run, a triple, a walk, two RBI and two runs between the final two contests of the Brewers' series with the Marlins over the weekend. The lefty-hitting Bauers looks set to handle a strong-side platoon role for the time being after Christian Yelich (back) was placed on the injured list Wednesday.