MLB Player News

Diaz entered Friday's win over the Rangers as a pinch hitter in the top of the ninth and hit a go-ahead solo home run.

The rookie was called on to hit for Ryan Noda and delivered handsomely with a 382-foot solo home run to left field off Will Smith, snapping a 4-4 tie. Diaz's first big-league stint of 2023 has gotten off to quite an auspicious start -- in addition to Friday's clutch blast, he also laced an RBI double in his season debut Wednesday against the Cubs.

Kemp went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in a win over the Rangers on Friday.

Kemp left the yard for the first time this season in the fifth inning via a 405-foot shot to right-center field off Jon Gray to bring the Athletics to within 4-2 at the time. The veteran had been mired in an 0-for-21 slump over his previous six games before Friday's productive outing.

Espinal left Saturday's game against the Yankees after getting hit on the right hand or wrist, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Espinal was struck by a Gerrit Cole fastball and left the game in obvious pain. Cavan Biggio replaced him as a pinch runner and could see more at-bats as Toronto's top utility infielder if Espinal is forced to miss time.

Vargas will sit Saturday against the Cubs, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Vargas hits the bench after starting 10 straight games at second base. He hasn't gotten off to a great start this season, hitting .204/.371/.296 with zero homers, but his 14:15 BB:K at least indicates that he's seeing the ball quite well. Mookie Betts will start at second base, with Jason Heyward taking Betts' usual spot in right field.

Stott will sit Saturday against Kyle Freeland and the Rockies.

Stott filled the large side a platoon for much of last season, but he's been an everyday player this year. Saturday marks the first time he's been absent from the lineup, and given that he's off to a .344/.365/.452 start, he's unlikely to suddenly find himself regularly sitting against southpaws. Josh Harrison will fill in for him at second base.

Andrus went 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBI on Friday against the Rays.

Andrus delivered an RBI single in the second inning and drew a bases-loaded walk one frame later to account for both of his RBI. He has at least one hit in six of his last seven games, scoring four runs and also swiping a bag in that span. Andrus is still climbing out of a slow start to the season and has a .217/.286/.261 slash line across 77 plate appearances.

Lowe went 1-for-4 with a walk, a two-run home run and a second run scored in Friday's 8-7 win over the White Sox.

The second baseman played hero in the bottom of the ninth inning, crushing a walkoff shot off Reynaldo Lopez to right field to keep the Rays undefeated at home to begin the season. Lowe has regained his power stroke after a tough 2022, slugging six long balls in 17 games after going yard only eight times in 65 contests last year, but perhaps more impressive has been his .291/.409/.636 slash line in 66 plate appearances -- not bad for a player with a career .251/.338/.500 line.

Marte went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Friday's 9-0 win over the Padres.

Marte's bat stayed hot after getting a day off Thursday. The second baseman has safely hit in five straight games he's started, including four consecutive multi-hit efforts in that span. He's 10-for-22 with a double, triple, home run, four RBI and four runs scored during his hot stretch.

Miller went 1-for-4 with one run scored and one steal in Friday's 5-3 loss against the Red Sox.

Miller has stolen a base in consecutive games to jump his season total up to three. He appears to be benefitting from the new rules, as he had just four stolen bases in 190 career games prior to the 2023 season. The 26-year old came around to score after his steal thanks to a Christian Yelich single in the third inning. Miller is off to a good start at the plate too, hitting .286 (8-for-28) through 11 contests.

Mathias went 1-for-4 with two RBI and a stolen base in Friday's 4-2 win over the Reds.

Making his eighth start of the season at second base, the 28-year-old got the Pirates on the board with a two-run single in the second inning before swiping his first bag of the year in the sixth after reaching on an error. Mathias has racked up seven hits in his last three games to push his batting average to .286 (8-for-28), and with Rodolfo Castro needed at shortstop, he has an opening to seize the starting job at the keystone over Ji Hwan Bae if he stays hot at the plate.