MLB Player News

Steer went 2-for-2 with a double, a solo home run, two walks and two runs scored in Friday's 3-2 win over the Rockies.

Steer lauched a solo shot in the fifth inning before scoring the go-ahead run on a Jonathan India single in the ninth. It was Steer's first game in the majors and he made it count, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances. The rookie has shown some pop in the minors, with 23 home runs across Double and Triple-A this season. He has shown the ability to take walks as well, walking at a 10.4 percent clip in the minors this year, and he could help managers in deep fantasy leagues.

Walker went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Friday's 2-1 win over the Brewers.

Walker's finally experiencing some good luck and has his average up to a season-high .237 following Friday's win. Despite being in the upper percentiles of hard-hit and barrel rate all season, the first baseman's sub-.200 BABIP kept his average low through the first half of the season. He's been more fortunate since the All-Star break, posting a .306 average while the BABIP has climbed to .231.

Pasqualino (shoulder) hit on the field ahead of Friday's game against the Tigers, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Pasquantino has been on the injured list since Aug. 23 due to right shoulder discomfort, but manager Mike Matheny said Friday that the 24-year-old is getting closer to a return. It's not yet clear whether Pasquantino will require a rehab assignment prior to rejoining the Royals.

Rizzo (back) received an epidural Friday and will likely be unavailable until at least Tuesday, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Rizzo has been dealing with a back issue for a few days and recently remained in California to see a specialist. He'll be forced to miss the Yankees' weekend series against the Rays, but manager Aaron Boone hopes that the first baseman will be able to avoid a trip to the injured list.

Steer, who is starting at third base and batting seventh Friday, will be in the lineup as much as possible down the stretch, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

This makes sense, as Steer is one of only a few healthy hitters who could be a part of the Reds' long-term core. The 24-year-old was a shortstop in college before being a third-round pick of the Twins in 2019, but he primarily played third base this year in the minors while also seeing 20-plus games at second base and short. He slashed .259/.354/.479 with 15 home runs in 71 games at Triple-A split between St. Paul and Louisville.

Casas will remain at Triple-A Worcester for now but could be added to the major-league roster later in September, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora noted Thursday the prospect could still be up with the team before the end of the season, but he said the organization wants Casas to get more reps with the WooSox after he missed two months with an ankle injury. "He's still getting his at-bats, he's getting his repetitions. That's the most important thing. Everybody gets excited, 'Yeah, get him here and do this.' But as of now, I think that's the best way for him to keep getting reps and keep getting better," Cora said. Casas has a .926 OPS with five home runs and 15 RBI over 35 games (166 plate appearances) since rejoining Worcester on July 22. Boston has a hole at first base, but Casas may not get a chance to fill it until Opening Day 2023.

Mountcastle went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's victory over Cleveland.

Mountcastle blasted a home run off Shane Bieber to give the Orioles a 3-0 lead on their third solo shot of the game. The first baseman had been in a mini-slump during his prior six games, batting .100 (2-for-20) with zero extra-base hits, nine strikeouts and only one RBI.

Walker went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in a 5-0 win against the Brewers on Thursday.

Walker posted a .346/.417/.615 slash line with seven homers in August, and he carried that momentum over to the new month with his third straight multi-hit game. His first-inning, two-run homer was his first in seven games and gave him a new career high with 75 RBI. Walker is tied for sixth in the majors with 31 homers on the campaign.

France went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI on Thursday against the Tigers.

France delivered his 17th home run of the season in the third inning, going back-to-back with Julio Rodriguez. After an 18-game stretch without a long ball, France has now gone deep in three of his last four games. For the season, he is hitting .284/.351/.446 across 485 plate appearances.

Rizzo remained in California to visit a back specialist and could miss the Yankees' weekend series against the Rays, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Rizzo's injury didn't seem particularly serious at the time of the diagnosis, as manager Aaron Boone said a stint on the injured list was not in consideration. However, the visit to a specialist is a noteworthy development -- at least until further word emerges on the results of the evaluation.