MLB Player News

Mayfield went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Thursday's win over Minnesota.

Mayfield smacked his second homer in the last four games off Kenta Maeda in the fifth inning, and that would be all the offense the Angels would need to come away with the win. It's worth noting that this was only Mayfield's second long ball of the year, but he's seeing the ball better of late with hits in three of his last four contests after an 0-for-12 showing in June and July, a period that saw him get released by the Mariners and claimed by the Angels off waivers.

Rojas (finger) will not start Friday against the Cubs.

Rojas dislocated his left pinkie finger Wednesday against the Pirates when diving into second base. Thursday's off day evidently wasn't enough time for him to heal, so he'll be on the bench for at least one game. Per Steve Gilbert of MLB.com, the Diamondbacks are still evaluating Rojas, and a trip to the injured list remains a possibility. Josh VanMeter will get the start at second base.

Albies went 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored in Thursday's win over the Phillies.

Batting second with southpaw Matt Moore on the mound for Philadelphia, Albies laced his fourth two-bagger in the last five games. The second baseman has yet to homer in July despite his recent display of extra-base power, however, slashing .254/.284/.349 through 16 games on the month with two steals, seven RBI and nine runs.

Hernandez went 1-for-4 with a double and three RBI on Thursday against the Yankees.

Hernandez provided clutch offense late in the game for Boston. That began with a sacrifice fly that tied the game in the seventh inning, though his biggest hit came in the ninth frame, when he doubled in two runs with two outs to once again bring the Red Sox level. Through 344 plate appearances this season, Hernandez has hit .241/.320/.462 with 14 home runs, 47 runs scored and 38 RBI. He also has six hits over his last three games.

Ibanez went 3-for-4 with a triple, an RBI and two runs scored Thursday against the Tigers.

Ibanez put together his first multi-hit performance since June 26, a span of 15 games and 13 starts. He hit just .174/.191/.239 in that period but showed signs of life at the dish Thursday. He delivered an RBI single in the fourth inning and also led off the eighth frame with a triple before coming around to score. Overall this season, Ibanez is hitting .222/.245/.322 across 94 plate appearances.

Short went 1-for-4 with a home run in Thursday's win over the Rangers.

Short launched one of three home runs against Texas starter Mike Foltynewicz, giving the infielder five home runs this season. Short has become the team's top option at shortstop with Niko Goodrum (calf) on the injured list, though Goodrum is expected to begin a rehab assignment within the next week. His return could cut into Short's playing time.

Clement went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI in Wednesday's 5-4 win over Houston.

Clement knocked in more than half of Cleveland's runs with his three-run double in the sixth inning. The 25-year-old has seen a small uptick in playing time at third base lately with Jose Ramirez still battling elbow soreness. A timeshare over the next few weeks is possible until Ramirez is back to 100 percent. Clement is slashing .245/.302/.286 with four RBI and eight runs scored through 55 plate appearances.

Castro will start at first base and bat sixth Thursday against the Rangers.

Castro will receive his fourth start in a row after going 6-for-9 with a double, a walk, three runs and two RBI across the Tigers' previous three contests. Though he'll be filling in for a resting Miguel Cabrera on Thursday, Castro could be an option to step in as Detroit's primary second baseman after Isaac Paredes (hip) joined Niko Goodrum (calf) on the 10-day injured list ahead of the series finale with Texas.

Merrifield went 2-for-5 with a run scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Brewers.

The 32-year-old has slowed down at the plate. slashing .203/.254/.237 through 15 games in July without a homer, but Merrifield remains the steadiest source of steals in baseball. Wednesday's theft was his MLB-leading 25th of the year, and no one else in the AL has more than 16 (Tim Anderson).

Polanco went 3-for-4 with a three-run home run, a double, two additional runs scored, a walk and a stolen base in Wednesday's 7-2 win over the White Sox.

Polanco had quite the offensive night, capping off a three-run jack in the sixth inning off Codi Heuer to lengthen the lead. He added a double in the ninth inning and stole third base. The 27-year-old has homered in back-to-back contests. He has six RBI, four runs and a pair of steals over his last three games. Overall Polanco is slashing .260/.325/.449 with 14 long balls, 49 RBI, 53 runs and nine steals in 372 plate appearances.