MLB Player News
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Tim Elko 1B | CHW
White Sox's Tim Elko: Returned from IL, optioned
Elko (knee) was activated from the 10-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday, per MLB's transactions log.
Elko will shift to Triple-A following his return to health. He'd been on the shelf since July 11 after suffering a right knee sprain and was struggling through an 0-for-16 stretch at the plate prior to going down with the injury.
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Pete Alonso 1B | BAL
Mets' Pete Alonso: Surging to begin August
Alonso went 4-for-5 with a home run and four RBI in Monday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to Cleveland.
Following a dreadful July that saw him post a .548 OPS over 85 at-bats, Alonso is quickly embarking on an early power surge to open August. The All-Star first baseman has three long balls in four outings so far this month, and Monday marked his seventh game of the year with at least four RBI. The four hits also established a new season high for Alonso.
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Michael Busch 3B | CHC
Cubs' Michael Busch: Taking seat against lefty
Busch is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Reds.
The left-handed-hitting Busch started in the Cubs' previous matchup against a lefty starter (the Orioles' Trevor Rogers) on Friday, but manager Craig Counsell is not yet ready to deploy the 27-year-old versus same-handed pitching on a full-time basis. Justin Turner will spell Busch at first base as the Cubs go up against southpaw Nick Lodolo on Monday.
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Enrique Hernandez SS | LAD
Dodgers' Enrique Hernandez: Not guaranteed to return
Hernandez (elbow) is not guaranteed to play again in 2025, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.
Hernandez has been on the shelf since early July due to left elbow inflammation, but he has yet to resume baseball activities. Manager Dave Roberts said Monday that the team is "hopeful" that the 33-year-old will be able to return before the end of the season, but nothing is guaranteed. Hernandez has posted a disappointing .195 average with eight home runs, 22 RBI and 23 runs scored over 169 at-bats in 72 games this year.
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Jared Triolo 3B | PIT
Pirates' Jared Triolo: Absent from Monday's lineup
Triolo is not in the Pirates' starting lineup for Monday's game against the Giants.
Triolo started in each of the Pirates' last three games after being promoted from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday and went 2-for-10 with four runs scored and one RBI. He'll be on the bench for Monday's series opener while Isiah Kiner-Falefa starts at the hot corner and Liover Peguero covers shortstop.
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Ryan Mountcastle 1B | BAL
Orioles' Ryan Mountcastle: Won't return until at least Friday
Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino said Monday that Mountcastle will not be activated from the 60-day injured list during the team's series against the Phillies that runs through Wednesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Mountcastle is slashing .391/.440/.783 with two home runs and three doubles in his first six rehab games with Triple-A Norfolk, but he will remain in the minors for the time being. The Orioles begin a homestand Friday, and Mountcastle seems to have a good chance to return to the active roster that day. He's been shelved since late May with a right hamstring strain.
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Freddie Freeman 1B | LAD
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Remains red-hot Sunday
Freeman went 3-for-5 with a double, a run and an RBI in Sunday's 3-0 victory versus the Rays.
Freeman extended his on-base streak to 19 contests, a span in which he's batting .315 (23-for-73) with two homers and 13 RBI. He's been even hotter across the Dodgers' past two series -- in six games against the Reds and Rays, he went 12-for-25 (.480 batting average) with eight runs batted in. Freeman seems to be past the uncharacteristic cold stretch that saw him bat just .163 over 12 contests from July 4 to July 20. He's pushed his batting average back to up .306, which is the second-highest mark among qualified hitters in the National League behind teammate Will Smith (.324).
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Spencer Horwitz 1B | PIT
Pirates' Spencer Horwitz: Homers twice, drives in six
Horwitz went 3-for-5 with two home runs, a double, six RBI and an additional run scored in Sunday's 9-5 win over the Rockies.
The leadoff man erupted at the plate Sunday, launching a two-run homer in the second inning and following it up with a three-run shot in the sixth. This was the first-baseman's his third career multi-homer game, and he registered a new career best with six RBI. Horwitz has been red-hot since the All-Star break, batting .346 (18-for-52) with 15 RBI and nine runs scored over 15 games. The 27-year-old is seeing the ball well and continues to deliver impact production atop the Pirates lineup.
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Justin Turner DH | CHC
Cubs' Justin Turner: Delivers walk-off blast Sunday
Turner appeared as a pinch hitter and went 1-for-1 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Orioles.
Turner pinch hit in the bottom of the ninth inning and blasted off against Baltimore reliever Keegan Akin to give the Cubs a walk-off win. It was a nice moment for the veteran infielder, though he has mostly struggled this year with a .217 batting average, .617 OPS and three home runs across 58 games. Turner has been mainly relegated to occasional playing time against lefties, which limits his fantasy upside.
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Ryan Mountcastle 1B | BAL
Orioles' Ryan Mountcastle: Won't be activated Monday
Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino said that Mountcastle (hamstring) won't be reinstated from the 60-day injured list ahead of Monday's series opener in Philadelphia, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Before receiving Sunday off, Mountcastle had appeared in six rehab games for Triple-A Norfolk, making four starts at first base and two at designated hitter while slashing .391/.440/.783 with two home runs and three doubles. Though Mountcastle hasn't experienced any setbacks with his right hamstring during his assignment, Mansolino said that the Orioles want the 28-year-old to get some more at-bats in at Triple-A before he rejoins the big club for the first time since late May. Mountcastle may not be activated during the series with Philadelphia, but he still appears on track to return from the IL at some point during the upcoming week.