MLB Player News

Freeman is starting at third base and batting leadoff Friday versus the Cubs.

Jose Ramirez is getting a designated hitter day and Steven Kwan is receiving a rare day off, which provides Freeman with a chance to start. It'll be the first time the 24-year-old has batted leadoff at the major-league level.

Donaldson went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 10-4 win over the Athletics.

Prior to the series against Oakland, Donaldson had not started any of New York's previous three games and was in a 6-for-48 swoon. However, the veteran third baseman showed signs of life against the club with whom he began his MLB career, going 3-for-13 with a pair of homers and five RBI during the three-game set. Donaldson did strike out six times during that stretch, so his offensive woes aren't behind him, but the Yankees can probably tolerate the lack of contact as long as he continues to produce runs. On the season, Donaldson's numbers remain ugly, as he's slashing .143/.200/.468 with a 30.6 percent strikeout rate, adding eight homers and 13 RBI over 85 plate appearances.

Ramirez went 1-for-3 with a walk, an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored in Thursday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Royals.

Ramirez was the initial runner in the 10th inning and moved to third on a groundout before succeeding on a straight steal of home for the go-ahead run. The Guardians couldn't keep the lead however, with Emmanuel Clase blowing the save in the bottom of the frame. Ramirez has stolen a base in three straight games after logging just one theft in his previous 45 contests. The third baseman is up to nine steals, 13 home runs, 52 RBI, 50 runs scored and a .298/.367/.525 slash line over 76 games, which includes a stunning .340/.405/.649 line in June.

Moustakas went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's 9-7 loss to the White Sox.

Moustakas gave Anaheim a 2-1 lead with a solo shot off Lance Lynn in the second inning, his fifth homer of the season and first since joining the Angels. The 34-year-old infielder is now 4-for-13 (.308) in four games since he was traded from the Rockies. Overall, he's slashing a respectable .273/.364/.445 with 19 RBI and 22 runs scored across 151 plate appearances this season. Moustakas could continue to see regular at-bats with Gio Urshela (pelvis) out for the season and Anthony Rendon (wrist) still working his way back.

Bregman went 3-for-5 with a grand slam, a walk and three total runs scored in Thursday's 14-0 win over the Cardinals.

Bregman's slam came off position player Alec Burleson in the ninth inning. This was Bregman's second grand slam in a span of five games. The third baseman has hit safely in eight of his last 10 contests, going 15-for-42 (.357) with three homers and 14 RBI in that span. Outside of brief slumps in early May and mid-June, he's done well at the plate over the last two months. Bregman owns a .251/.346/.412 slash line with 12 homers, 53 RBI, 47 runs scored and three stolen bases through 80 contests this season. While improving, his .758 OPS remains the lowest of his career, though he has plenty of time to get back to his established level.

Walls (back) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's game in Arizona, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It's the third straight game Walls has missed with right lat/back tightness. An MRI came back negative, but it's possible Walls will need a stint on the injured list if the issue lingers. Vidal Brujan will be at second base and Isaac Paredes will handle the hot corner Thursday.

Jung went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 10-2 win over the Tigers.

Jung went deep in the third inning for his 16th home run and first in eight contests. His was one of three home runs hit by Texas. The young third baseman was held out of the starting lineup the previous day after a 3-for-25 (.120) stretch during which he failed to drive in a run. He actually snapped out of his funk a bit Tuesday, as Jung entered the game as a pinch hitter and drove in a run with a single.

Ramirez went 2-for-3 with a grand slam, a double, two walks, three total runs, five total RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's 14-1 rout of the Royals.

Ramirez stuffed the stat sheet in a massive performance that included a third-inning grand slam and a seventh-inning RBI double. The star third baseman reached base four times in total, finishing a triple shy of the cycle and adding icing on the fantasy cake with a stolen base. Ramirez has been one of the game's top hitters in June, slashing .340/.406/.660 with seven long balls, 22 RBI, 21 runs, three thefts and an 11:10 BB:K through 23 games.

Walls (back) is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

As expected, Walls will miss a second straight game after being scratched from the Rays' lineup Tuesday due to tightness in the middle of his back. The hope is that he might be able to return to action in Thursday's series finale at Arizona. Vidal Brujan is covering second base and batting ninth Wednesday night at Chase Field.

Ramirez went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Royals.

Ramirez saw a six-game hitting streak end with an 0-for-4 effort Sunday. He hasn't gone hitless in consecutive contests since June 2-4. The third baseman is slashing an excellent .294/.360/.512 with 12 home runs, seven steals, 47 RBI, 46 runs scored, 20 doubles and four triples through 74 contests. Ramirez has logged two of his thefts in June, though he remains behind the pace that saw him swipe 20 bags in 2022.