MLB Player News

Castro went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 8-2 loss to the Giants.

Castro's fourth-inning blast briefly gave the Rockies a 2-1 lead, but it was their lone scoring play of the game. The utility man has gone 5-for-27 (.185) over eight games in July, and this was his first extra-base hit of the month. Castro is still getting a decent run of playing time, especially since the Rockies have faced three southpaws over the last six games, allowing him some time at second base over the left-handed-hitting Edouard Julien. Castro is batting .265 with a .722 OPS, seven homers, 37 RBI, 40 runs scored, six stolen bases and 13 doubles through 60 games this season.

Peraza isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Peraza will get a breather after making three consecutive starts, during which he went 1-for-11 with a run, an RBI and a steal. Vaughn Grissom will fill in as the Angels' second baseman and bat fifth.

The Rangers optioned Smith to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Smith went 6-for-21 with a home run and a triple in six games since returning from an earlier stint in the minors, but it wasn't enough to keep him from getting sent back down. The transaction clears a spot on the active roster for the return of Wyatt Langford from the injured list.

Reds manager Terry Francona said that McLain is not in Thursday's lineup against the Phillies due to a calf issue, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

It seems at this juncture to be a day-to-day injury, but with the All-Star break looming, the Reds could choose to put McLain on the injured list if he doesn't improve in a hurry. He's been playing center field lately versus lefties, but because McLain is banged up it will be TJ Friedl in center against southpaw Jesus Luzardo on Thursday.

Seigler (trapezius) will start at second base and bat leadoff in Thursday's game versus the White Sox.

Seigler had to be removed from Wednesday's contest with a right trapezius contusion following a play at the plate, but he will not have to miss a start. The 27-year-old has slashed .293/.379/.448 in 18 games for the Red Sox while serving as the team's primary leadoff man of late.

Holliday is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Cubs.

Holliday went 4-for-4 at the plate in Wednesday's loss to the Cubs, but the lefty-hitting infielder will take a seat as Chicago sends southpaw David Peterson to the bump. Blaze Alexander is handling second base for the Orioles.

Kuroda-Grauer went 3-for-4 in Wednesday's 6-1 loss to the Tigers.

All three knocks were singles, but the rookie infielder was still the only Athletic to collect multiple hits on the night as the team managed just seven hits in total against Detroit pitching. Kuroda-Grauer has started eight straight contests since his promotion while bouncing between second base, third base and shortstop, batting a blistering .500 (15-for-30) to begin his big-league career with three doubles, an RBI, four runs and just two strikeouts.

Massey is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Mets.

With the Mets starting southpaw Sean Manaea, the lefty-swinging Massey will begin Thursday's game on the bench. The hot-hitting Tyler Tolbert will handle second base in Massey's stead.

Song went 1-for-3 with a walk, one RBI, one stolen base and two runs scored in Wednesday's 10-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Song continues to be effective on the basepaths. While he's gone a modest 7-for-27 (.259) at the plate over his last 13 games, he's notched six of his 10 steals on the year in that span. The infielder is batting .221 with a .617 OPS, one home run, 10 RBI, 12 runs scored and three doubles over 88 plate appearances overall this year. Song could see a short-term uptick in playing time at third base while Manny Machado (foot) is ailing.

Julien went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Dodgers.

Julien has gone just 3-for-14 over five games in July. The second baseman is handling a strong-side platoon role, though he often gets replaced if a left-handed reliever enters the game. Julien is batting .228 with a .656 OPS, three homers, 20 RBI, 33 runs scored and four stolen bases over 241 plate appearances this season.