MLB Player News

Frazier went 2-for-4 with an RBI single, a walk and two runs in a win over the Rangers on Friday.

Frazier's third two-hit effort in the last four games extended his hitting streak to five contests and pushed his batting average to .234, the highest it's been since June 11. The 30-year-old is still below his career norms in multiple categories, but it appears he may finally be shaking some of the bad luck that's implied in the combination of his impressive 12.0 percent strikeout rate and 26.1 percent line-drive rate and atypically low .259 BABIP.

Donovan went 2-for-3 with three RBI in Friday's 7-3 win over the Reds.

Donovan had a sacrifice fly in the first inning and a two-run single in the seventh. This was his second game back in the starting lineup after overcoming an illness, and it was also his first multi-hit effort in July. He's slashing .286/.391/.390 with two home runs, 29 RBI, 28 runs scored, two stolen bases, 14 doubles and a triple in 68 contests, though his hitting has taken a slight downturn recently. The 25-year-old utility man should share second base with Nolan Gorman, though Donovan can also fill in all around the diamond as necessary.

Gorman went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 7-3 win over the Reds.

Gorman has homered twice in his last four games. His solo shot in the fourth inning Friday was ultimately all the Cardinals needed to get the win. The 22-year-old has shown solid power with a .441 slugging percentage, but he's batting only .236 through his first 50 major-league contests. He's added nine homers, 22 RBI, 25 runs scored and six doubles. He's received regular playing time at second base, though Gorman served as the designated hitter Friday and could see the large side of a platoon there after Juan Yepez (forearm) landed on the injured list.

Marte went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Padres.

Marte was involved in both of Arizona's scoring plays Friday. He hit a solo shot in the first inning and was on base when Christian Walker hit a two-run blast in the fourth. This was Marte's third homer in the last four games, a span in which he's gone 7-for-15 (.467). He's up to a .276/.368/.459 slash line with eight long balls, 29 RBI, 45 runs scored and four stolen bases in 80 contests. He was caught stealing in a loss to the Giants on Wednesday, which was his first attempted steal since June 15 -- that suggests he's starting to move past a hamstring injury that has nagged him since late June.

Castro went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored and an RBI in Friday's loss to the Guardians.

Castro continues to play all over the diamond for the Tigers, recording a start at first base Friday after starting at shortstop Thursday, and he keeps on hitting. The 28-year-old utility player extended his hitting streak to four games and is now batting .280 for the season. While Castro doesn't offer a ton of power, he's often a fantasy asset when he's in the starting lineup due to his ability to make consistent contact.

Rodgers went 2-for-5 with a home run, a double and four RBI in Friday's 13-2 win over the Pirates.

Rodgers' bases-loaded double in the third inning gave the Rockies the lead for good. He added a solo shot in the seventh as part of a four-run rally. He's hit safely in 10 of his 14 games in July, but this was his first multi-hit effort of the month. The second baseman has gone 11-for-52 (.212) in that span, which has caused his slash line to slip to .257/.312/.418 with nine homers, 47 RBI, 41 runs scored and 19 doubles through 79 contests.

Lowe (back) won't be activated Friday but could return Saturday or Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lowe has been out for two months with a stress reaction in his lower back, but he's nearly ready to go after grabbing five hits in five rehab games. Previous reports cited Friday as a potential date for his return, but he'll need at least one or two more days before he's ready to go.

Torres went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run Thursday in an extra-inning loss to Cincinnati.

Though the Yankees were unable to pull out the win, Torres came up with one of the biggest hits in the contest, swatting a two-run homer to right field in the eighth inning that tied the score at 4-4. The long ball extended his hitting streak to eight games, during which he's slashing .417/.475/.639. After hitting just 12 homers over 595 at-bats during his previous two campaigns, Torres already has 14 in 278 at-bats this season.

Altuve (leg) will sit Friday against Oakland.

Altuve left Thursday's game against the Angels with a bruise after getting hit by a pitch in his left leg. He'll miss at least one game, with Mauricio Dubon leading off and playing second base in his absence.

Espinal will sit Friday against the Royals.

Espinal hits the bench after starting 10 straight games, a stretch in which he posted a .605 OPS. Cavan Biggio will get the start at second base.