MLB Player News

Pasquantino went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 3-1 win over the Tigers.

Pasquantino ripped a line-drive homer off Michael Pineda in the fourth inning for his first big-league hit. He's now 1-for-9 with two walks to begin his MLB career but he's yet to strike out. The highly touted prospect smacked 18 long balls while registering a .948 OPS with Triple-A Omaha prior to joining Kansas City.

Torkelson left Friday's game against the Royals after getting hit in the head by a pitch, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The pitch appeared to catch the ear flap on Torkelson's helmet, Woodbery reports, preventing further damage. The rookie first baseman appears to have avoided a concussion but is expected to head to the bench Saturday.

Pasquantino will serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup against the Tigers on Friday, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Dave Holtzman of Bally Sports Kansas City notes that Pasquantino will become the first Royals player to bat cleanup within his first three starts since Joe Vitiello in 1995. Pasquantino is hitless through his first two big-league games (0-for-5), but he showed off his eye at the plate and patience with a couple walks Wednesday. He slugged .576 with Triple-A Omaha prior to his call-up.

Rizzo went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Thursday's loss to Houston.

The Yankees were mostly stifled by Astros pitching in the loss, but Rizzo ensured that they didn't get shut out with his solo blast off Luis Garcia in the sixth inning. The long ball was just his second hit over his past 27 at-bats, though both of those knocks have left the yard. Rizzo finished June with a .234/.357/.553 slash line along with 10 homers, 22 RBI and three stolen bases over 27 contests.

Bohm will sit Friday versus the Cardinals.

Bohm will be on the bench for the series opener after he went 4-for-12 with an RBI and a run in the prior series against Atlanta. The third baseman currently owns a six-game hit streak, going 9-for-24 with three doubles, two RBI and three runs over that stretch. Matt Vierling will draw the start at the hot corner and bat eighth against St. Louis.

Raley was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Friday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports

Raley appeared in two games and went 1-for-7 with an RBI and a run after being recalled June 21. He figures to rejoin the Rays at some point as a depth outfielder.

Rivas is not in the starting lineup for Friday's contest against the Red Sox.

Rivas will be on the bench for a second consecutive game after he had started the previous five. P.J. Higgins will draw another start at first base and bat seventh in the series opener. With Frank Schwindel (back) still on the 10-day injured list without a timetable for his return, Rivas and Higgins will likely continue splitting time at first base.

Votto went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in a loss to the Cubs on Thursday.

Votto's fourth-inning infield single led to Cincinnati's first run as a result of a Chicago error. The veteran first baseman then went deep in the sixth frame for his sixth long ball of the campaign. After a brutal start to the season, Votto perked up at the plate in June, slashing .274/.361/.495 with four homers, 15 RBI and 14 runs over 26 games.

Higgins went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Thursday's 15-7 victory versus the Reds.

The Cubs' offense exploded for 23 hits in the contest, and Higgins was one of four players to collect at least three base knocks. His final hit in the blowout win was an eighth-inning, two-run homer. The long ball was his first in June and third of his career. This was also his first career three-hit performance.

Hall went 2-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI on Thursday against Atlanta.

Hall was recalled to make his major-league debut Wednesday and has been in the lineup as the team's cleanup hitter in both games since. He contributed to the Phillies' offensive outburst with a leadoff home run in the fourth inning to tally both his first big-league hit and homer. He followed that up with a two-run shot off Mike Ford in the eighth frame. Hall maintained a .894 OPS across 315 plate appearances with Triple-A Lehigh Valley prior to being recalled, and he appears to have a clear path to playing time with Bryce Harper (thumb) sidelined.