MLB Player News

Torkelson isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Yankees.

Torkelson will get a breather after he went just 1-for-13 with a walk and four strikeouts over the last four games. Harold Castro is starting at first base and batting third.

Dalbec went 0-for-2 with two walks and a run scored in Friday's 7-2 win over the Athletics.

Dalbec, who normally sits against right-handers, was in the starting lineup against Oakland righty James Kaprielian, while Franchy Cordero covered right field for Jackie Bradley who was placed on the paternity list Friday. The Red Sox recalled outfielder Jarren Duran for the series, but he didn't arrive to the ballpark until close to opening pitch. With Oakland scheduled to throw righties Saturday and Sunday, manager Alex Cora told Sonja Chen of MLB.com that Duran would likely play in both games this weekend. That suggests Cordero would move back to first base and Dalbec would sit.

Walker went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's 8-6 win over Pittsburgh.

Walker cranked his team-leading 14th homer, his eighth in the last 17 games, in the second inning to even the score at 1-1. The first baseman's .190 BABIP has led to a .211 batting average, but Walker leads the team in slugging (.489), with 22 of his 38 hits going for extra bases. He also leads the Diamondbacks with 26 RBI.

Flores went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI, three runs scored and two walks in Friday's 15-6 win over the Marlins.

When the Marlins changed their pitching plans to feature an opener, Flores took over the leadoff spot for Tommy La Stella (undisclosed) as the Giants shuffled their lineup on the fly. From the No. 1 spot, Flores was a force in a big win. This was his third multi-hit effort in his last 14 contests. For the season, the veteran infielder is slashing .262/.326/.436 with six home runs, 31 RBI, 26 runs scored and 11 doubles in 193 plate appearances. Brandon Belt (knee) has resumed running, but Flores should be able to retain a near-everyday role for a little longer.

O'Hearn has drawn just nine starts since the beginning of May.

The Royals' flexible lineup hasn't opened up many chances for playing time for O'Hearn. The 28-year-old also hasn't done much to earn a longer look in the lineup, hitting just .191/.250/.255 with a home run, five RBI and four runs scored through 52 plate appearances. While Carlos Santana appears set to lose his starting role at first base, Hunter Dozier and MJ Melendez are the most likely to benefit with more stable spots in the lineup, with O'Hearn remaining in a bench role.

Lowe went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Mariners.

Lowe put the Rangers ahead 3-2 in the seventh inning. It was his second homer in the last three games as he's started June in similar fashion to his strong hitting to close out May. He's 16-for-49 (.327) in his last 14 contests, with four of his five homers this year coming in that span. The first baseman is up to a .260/.313/.391 slash line with 18 RBI, 18 runs scored, a stolen base, five doubles and a triple in 46 games this season.

Abreu went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 6-3 loss to the Rays.

Abreu got the White Sox within two runs with a sixth-inning blast, which was the team's lone extra-base hit in the contest. The first baseman has logged a 12-game hitting streak, going 18-for-45 (.400) in that span with four homers, nine RBI and eight runs scored. The extended surge has helped get his season on track -- he's up to a .256/.348/.433 slash line, seven long balls, 23 RBI, 24 runs scored and 11 doubles in 48 contests overall.

Diaz went 1-for-1 with a double, three walks, a stolen base and two runs scored in Friday's 6-3 win over the White Sox.

Diaz wasn't able to do a lot with the bat, but his continued solid plate discipline kept the line moving Friday. In his last four games, he's 5-for-11 with six walks and a hit-by-pitch. His walk rate for the season is at 16.9 percent, a strong mark even for the patient 30-year-old. Diaz sports a .271/.407/.361 slash line with three home runs, 12 RBI, 21 runs scored, four doubles and a steal through 177 plate appearances.

Santana is being moved to a part-time role, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Kansas City reports.

He is not in Friday's lineup and manager Mike Matheny said it's something Santana will have to adjust to going forward. Hunter Dozier is starting at first base in this one, and it may not be long before top prospect Vinnie Pasquantino gets the call from Triple-A.

Cooper is starting at designated hitter and batting second in Friday's matchup with the Giants.

Cooper will return to the lineup after missing Thursday's contest with a side injury. He's produced at least one hit in seven of his last eight games, going 12-for-31 with a homer, seven RBI and three runs over that stretch.