MLB Player News

O'Hearn remains on the bench Tuesday against Cleveland.

O'Hearn has filled a regular role at times this season, but he doesn't appear to have one now, as he's started just one of the team's last six games. The Royals appear to be going with eight everyday starters while rotating players through their ninth lineup spot, with O'Hearn seemingly slipping behind Kyle Isbel and Hanser Alberto for that role. O'Hearn owns a .624 OPS on the season, the third straight season he's been at or below .650 in that category, so he's not making a strong case for everyday at-bats.

Abreu (soreness) will bat third and play first base Tuesday against the Tigers.

Abreu sat Monday with what manager Tony La Russa called "sore spots all over." The issue didn't seem to be a major one, so it's no surprise to see him back in action one day later. The White Sox can afford to be generous with such maintenance days down the stretch, as they've all but clinched their division.

Freeman went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Monday's win over Arizona.

The star first baseman has been mashing of late and extended his hitting streak to 10 games with another multi-hit performance -- his sixth during that stretch. Freeman is hitting .395 with a 1.073 OPS, two homers, seven RBI, three doubles, a triple and eight runs scored during his ongoing streak.

Diaz went 3-for-4 with a three-run homer, a double and two runs scored in Monday's 6-4 win over the Blue Jays.

Diaz turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 advantage on one swing after he took Robbie Ray deep to left field in the fifth inning. The 29-year-old has found much better success against lefties than righties this season, slashing .291/.372/.456 with six homers, 23 RBI and 23 runs scored in 207 plate appearances against southpaws. Overall, Diaz is hitting .257/.356/.389 with 33 extra-base hits, 58 RBI, 59 runs scored and 66:81 BB:K over 511 plate appearances.

Calhoun did not play in Monday's 11-4 loss to Atlanta.

Calhoun was activated from the injured list last Friday and served as the designated hitter in all three games over the weekend in Houston, but he was held out of the starting lineup once Arizona was back in an National League city. Calhoun's usual position, right field, was occupied by Henry Ramos. The Diamondbacks are evaluating or giving opportunities to several players younger than Calhoun. It doesn't mean he won't play again this season, but the veteran may no longer be a regular presence on the diamond.

Votto went 3-for-3 with two home runs, three RBI and two walks in Monday's win over the Pirates.

The first baseman launched a two-run blast off of Dillon Peters in the third inning before going deep again in his next at-bat in the fifth. The two long balls put his season total at 33 -- his highest total since 2017. He has now reached base in seven straight contests while batting .444 with three home runs and five RBI over that stretch.

O'Hearn is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader against Cleveland, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

O'Hearn went 0-for-3 with a strikeout during Game 1 and will return to the bench for the nightcap. It's the fourth time in the past five games the 28-year-old finds himself on the bench, which is likely in part due to the fact he's 3-for-23 through 12 games in September.

Casas was promoted to Triple-A Worcester from Double-A Portland on Monday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The 21-year-old has a .284/.395/.484 slash line in 329 plate appearances for Portland, and with the Double-A season wrapped up, he will continue his season with a handful of games with Worcester. Casas, who is Boston's top prospect, is unlikely to open 2022 in the majors but could make his big-league debut sometime next year if he performs well at Triple-A.

White Sox manager Tony La Russa said Monday that Vaughn (back) has resumed hitting but is still experiencing some discomfort while running, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Vaughn is first eligible to return from the injured list during this weekend's series in Cleveland, but La Russa's comments suggest the rookie isn't a lock to be ready to go by then. The fact that Vaughn is able to do at least some activity while he contends with lower-back inflammation suggests that he won't be in store for a lengthy stay on the IL, however.

White Sox manager Tony La Russa said Abreu is being withheld from the lineup Monday against the Tigers because he has "sore spots all over," James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Based on the tenor of La Russa's comments, Abreu doesn't seem to be dealing with any sort of legitimate injury, so consider his absence to be more of a veteran maintenance day. That said, fantasy managers in leagues with daily lineup moves will still want to check back and confirm that Abreu is back in action Tuesday.