MLB Player News

Okamoto went 1-for-5 with a solo home run during the Blue Jays' 10-5 win over the Rays on Tuesday.

Okamoto extended the Blue Jays' lead to 7-3 with a solo homer off Steven Matz in the fifth inning. It was the 25th long ball of the season for Okamoto, setting the Blue Jays' rookie home run record. He's provided a much-needed boost to Toronto's offense this season, especially with Addison Barger (elbow) missing most of the year and Vladimir Guerrero's (concussion) power struggles. Okamoto has a .731 OPS with one steal, 72 RBI and 43 extra-base hits across 498 plate appearances.

Alexander (hand) is expected to begin a rehab assignment within the next week, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Alexander is nearing the final stages of his rehab from a left hand fracture. Depending when exactly the 27-year-old is cleared to begin a rehab assignment, he could be back from the injured list before the end of August.

White went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Monday's 9-5 loss to the Royals.

After launching the first homer of his big-league career Sunday, White left the yard again with a solo shot in the fifth inning. Since debuting July 17, the 23-year-old has slashed .267/.295/.347 with two homers, two doubles, three RBI and 12 runs in 27 contests. White played third base Monday but has also seen action at first base in the absence of Nick Kurtz (thumb).

Garcia went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored and was caught stealing in Monday's 9-5 win over the Athletics.

In his first at-bat since June 22 after dealing with a muscle strain in his left hand, Garcia lined an RBI single in the first inning. The third baseman added another single in the second frame, marking his 20th multi-hit effort of the season. Garcia has had a disappointing 2026 due to both injuries and modest production, slashing .264/.321/.374 with three homers, 31 RBI, 33 runs and five stolen bases across 70 contests.

Durbin went 3-for-4 with a walk, an RBI, two runs scored and a steal during the Red Sox's 11-1 win over the Diamondbacks on Monday.

Monday marked the seventh time this season (and fifth time since the All-Star break) that Durbin recorded at least three hits in a game. The 26-year-old third baseman has been on a tear at the plate since the break, slashing .330/.411/.446 with five steals, three home runs, 22 RBI and a 12:17 BB:K over 131 plate appearances.

Encarnacion-Strand went 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBI in Monday's 7-6 loss to the Rays.

Encarnacion-Strand continues to push for more playing time for the Orioles. Over his first 88 plate appearances, the infielder is slashing .272/.310/.543 with six homers, four doubles, 22 RBI and one stolen base. Blaze Alexander (hand) could serve as Baltimore's everyday third baseman when he comes off the injured list, but Encarnacion-Strand should continue to see steady action in the interim if he keeps swinging a hot bat.

Loftin is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Athletics.

Loftin will head to the bench after he started each of the last nine games while going just 4-for-31 (.129 average) with one stolen base, two runs and no RBI. With Maikel Garcia (hand) returning from the injured list Monday, Loftin's time as the Royals' primary third baseman is over, and he'll presumably be ticketed for a utility role.

The Royals optioned Rojas to Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

Rojas will give up his spot on the active roster to infielder Maikel Garcia (hand), who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list. Recalled from Triple-A when Garcia initially landed on the shelf June 23, Rojas appeared in 28 games during his latest stint in the majors, slashing .225/.257/.310 with one home run, one steal, seven RBI and five runs.

The Royals reinstated Garcia (hand) from the 10-day injured list Monday. He'll start at third base and bat cleanup in the team's series opener versus the Athletics.

Kansas City will get two major lineup pieces back ahead of its four-game series versus the Athletics, as first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (wrist) was also activated from the IL. Garcia had been on the shelf since June 22 due to a muscle strain his left hand, with his return getting pushed back further after he experienced renewed discomfort following his first rehab game July 28. He then underwent a cortisone shot that appears to have yielded the desired effect, as Garcia resumed his rehab assignment at Double-A Northwest Arkansas last week and went 4-for-10 with a double, three walks and a stolen base over three games. Garcia is expected to step back in as the Royals' primary option at the hot corner, resulting in Nick Loftin shifting into more of a utility role.

Vargas went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 7-5 win over the Tigers.

Vargas extended Chicago's late lead by launching a solo homer in the ninth inning, giving him 28 long balls on the season. The infielder has caught fire at the plate, going 7-for-22 (.318) with four home runs and two doubles over his last five games. Through 121 contests this season, Vargas owns a .239 average and .835 OPS with 28 homers, 28 doubles, one triple, 72 RBI, 83 runs scored and 12 stolen bases.