MLB Player News

Phillies manager Rob Thomson told reporters before Friday's game against the Cubs that Hall (thumb) is getting close to starting a rehab assignment, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Thomson notes that Hall hasn't hit live pitching yet, but he is hitting on the field and hitting off HitTrax while also taking groundballs, running and throwing. The first baseman is on the 60-day injured list and is not eligible to return to the Phillies until the early portion of June, but a rehab assignment in the next week or so could put him on track to do just that.

Clemens went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Saturday's 12-3 victory over the Cubs.

Clemens took Jameson Taillon deep in the first inning to extend Philadelphia's lead to 6-0. He walked in his next at-bat and singled in the fifth before striking out in his final two plate appearances. Saturday marked Clemens' third multi-hit game this season, which have all come in the past week. Overall, he's slashing .229/.288/.500 with four home runs and eight RBI across 20 games (52 plate appearances).

Votto (shoulder) is taking a live batting practice session with Triple-A Louisville on Sunday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The Reds and Votto will then determine the next steps for the first baseman, and it's possible that next step could be a rehab assignment. The left-handed hitter is currently on the 60-day injured list and can't be activated until May 30. If he does begin a rehab assignment in the coming days, Votto has a chance to return to the lineup at the end of May, but his timetable should begin to clear up in the coming days.

Noda is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's contest against the Astros.

Noda will take his usual spot on the bench for the A's with a left-hander on the mound -- in this case Framber Valdez. Jesus Aguilar will get the start at first base and hit fifth against Valdez and the Astros.

Pasquantino is not in the starting lineup Sunday versus the White Sox.

Pasquantino will get a breather as he continues to struggle at the plate, batting just .088 with a homer and two RBI with five strikeouts over his last 34 at-bats in nine games since May 11. Bobby Witt will start at designated hitter while Matt Duffy enters the lineup at third base and bats ninth in the series finale with Chicago.

O'Hearn will sit Sunday versus the Blue Jays, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

O'Hearn went 3-for-5 with a homer, four RBI and a run scored in Saturday's victory, but he will now head to the bench Sunday. Adley Rutschman will draw the start at designated hitter while James McCann enters the lineup at catcher and bats eighth in the series finale with Toronto.

Torkelson went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Nationals.

He mashed a Patrick Corbin fastball over the wall in left-center field in the first inning, but it was all the offense the Tigers could muster. Torkelson has found a groove in May, and through 16 games the 23-year-old is slashing .290/.333/.484 with six doubles, two homers and nine RBI.

Rizzo went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI in Saturday's win over the Reds in 10 innings.

Rizzo feasted on the Cincinnati bullpen, driving in Gleyber Torres in the fifth inning on a single off Alex Young and hitting a two-run home run off Ian Gibaut in the 10th inning to give the Yankees a 7-4 advantage. Saturday's long ball was his second in as many games and fifth in his last eight appearances to bring his season total up to 11. Though the left-hander has done his damage against the Reds on the road, Rizzo remains a massive beneficiary of Yankee Stadium's short right-field porch, with eight of his 11 home runs coming at home.

Diaz went 3-for-4 with a three-run home run in Saturday's win over the Brewers.

After missing four games with a left groin injury, Diaz rejoined the Tampa Bay lineup and recorded a pair of singles to pair with a three-run homer that plated Taylor Walls and Manuel Margot. The first baseman extended his hit streak to 13 games and has swatted four home runs in that stretch. In 40 games this season, Diaz is slashing .333/.436/.618 with 34 runs scored and 27 RBI.

Olson went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 7-3 loss to Seattle.

Olson opened the scoring with the two-run shot in the first inning off Seattle starter Logan Gilbert. The Mariners would score the next seven runs, and Atlanta didn't have time to catch up. Olson has two homers and two doubles while hitting .368 (7-for-19) over his last five games. The slugger is up to 13 long balls, 34 RBI, 37 runs scored and a .243/.373/.538 slash line through 45 contests this season.