MLB Player News

Vargas went 1-for-3 with a home run, a walk and three RBI in Sunday's 7-5 loss to the Royals.

Vargas gave the White Sox an early lead with a two-run homer in the first inning and later added an RBI with a bases-loaded walk in the ninth. The long ball was his first in eight June games, during which he's gone just 5-for-24 at the plate. On the season, the 25-year-old is slashing .237/.319/.421 with nine home runs, 29 RBI, 30 runs scored and one stolen base across 257 plate appearances.

Lee went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Sunday's 6-3 win over Toronto.

Lee tied things up at 3-3 in the fourth inning when he took Bowden Francis deep to right field for a solo home run. During his 10-game hit streak, Lee has slashed .317/.349/.415 with one steal and six RBI across 43 plate appearances. His strong play at the plate should keep Lee in the Twins' starting lineup even with multiple players returning from the injured list.

Mayer is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

With southpaw Carlos Rodon taking the hill for the Yankees, the left-handed-hitting Mayer will retreat to the bench after going 2-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional run in the first two contests of the series. Abraham Toro will replace Mayer at third base.

The Yankees claimed Alexander off waivers Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Alexander had been with the Athletics' organization this season until he was DFA'd on Thursday. The 28-year-old went 3-for-17 over six games with the Athletics but posted an .866 OPS with 10 homers, 32 RBI and two stolen bases over 180 plate appearances with Triple-A Las Vegas.

According to Orioles interim manager Tony Masolino, Westburg (hamstring) is trending toward a return Tuesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Westburg landed on the injured list April 28 and began a minor-league rehab assignment May 26. He's been on fire with Triple-A Norfolk, slashing .360/.429/.760 with two homers and five RBI over seven games. Ramon Urias has been Baltimore's primary third baseman while Westburg has been sidelined.

Lewis is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

Lewis has finally begun to round into form at the plate, but the Twins will still give him a chance to catch his breath in Sunday's series finale. Brooks Lee will step in at third base in place of Lewis, who has gone 5-for-14 with two doubles, four walks, four RBI and three runs in his last five contests.

Ramirez went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run, two runs scored and a walk during Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Astros in extra innings.

After seeing a 21-game hit streak come to a close on May 30, Ramirez has had at least a hit in all seven games since, and he has had multiple hits on five of those occasions. He has a .392/.453/.648 slash line with nine doubles, seven homers, 11 steals, 17 RBI and 27 runs in 32 games since the start of May.

Mastrobuoni went 1-for-2 with a walk, one stolen base and one run scored in Saturday's 8-6 loss to the Angels.

Mastrobuoni continues to fill a part-time role as a utility player. The 29-year-old's steal was his third of the season and his first since May 7 versus the Athletics. He's gone 4-for-8 across five games in June, but his inconsistent playing time limits any potential upside. For the year, he's slashing .243/.325/.301 with one home run, eight RBI, 13 runs scored and three doubles over 120 plate appearances.

Westburg (hamstring) went 2-for-2 with a home run, a double and a walk in Saturday's rehab game with Triple-A Norfolk.

Westburg is up to seven minor-league appearances during his assignment, having now slashed .360/.429/.760 with two homers, four doubles and five RBI over 28 plate appearances. It seems as though the Orioles are taking a cautious approach with the 26-year-old infielder, who has been sidelined since late April due to a left hamstring strain and subsequent setback. It remains unclear how much more action Baltimore wants Westburg to get in the minors, but he appears to be on the verge of a return.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that there is a "small possibility" that Cabrera (ankle) could return to action this season, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

A few days after Cabrera was diagnosed with a fractured ankle in mid-May, Boone said it's "probably unlikely" that the utility man will play again this season. That sentiment hasn't changed, though Boone reiterated the same point with more positive wording Thursday. Cabrera underwent surgery on the ankle to repair both a fracture and ligament damage, and he's still wearing a protective boot while getting around on a scooter, so there remains a long road ahead before he's ready to play again.