MLB Player News

Vargas went 4-for-5 with a double, two home runs, three RBI and an additional run scored during the White Sox's 9-5 win over the Tigers on Friday.

Vargas set a season high in hits Friday and matched his career best. It was also his third multi-homer game of this season and brought him up to 27 on the year, tied with teammate Munetaka Murakami for fourth most in the American League. Vargas is enjoying a career year, boasting a .829 OPS with 12 steals, 71 RBI and 55 extra-base hits across 523 plate appearances.

Alexander (hand) hit in the batting cage Friday, per MLB.com.

It's the first time Alexander has done so amid his recovery from a fractured left hand. The utility player has been on the injured list since mid-July, but he appears to be trending toward a return to the Orioles at some point in late August or early September.

Gonzales was removed from Friday's game against the Red Sox after getting hit on the head by a pitch.

Gonzales was taken out of the game immediately after taking a 94-mph fastball off his helmet in the fifth inning. He's been diagnosed with a facial contusion and is considered day-to-day by the team. Jared Triolo would likely be next in line to start at third base if Gonzales has to miss extra time.

Prieto is expected to be optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The move will make room on the active roster for Cardinals prospect Joshua Baez, who will make his major-league debut against the Cubs on Saturday. Prieto was brought up from Triple-A on Aug. 4 but has gone 1-for-11 in five games since his promotion to the big leagues. He's been utilized as a depth piece in the infield but will see regular playing time in the minors.

Hill (oblique) was activated from the 7-day injured list at Double-A Akron on Friday.

Hill hasn't played since June 24 due to a strained oblique. The 22-year-old has slashed .257/.390/.524 with 11 home runs, 45 RBI, 43 runs scored, nine stolen bases and a 40:49 BB:K across 237 plate appearances between High-A Lake County and Akron this season.

Ramirez is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Padres.

Angel Genao is starting at third base and batting sixth, while Steven Kwan is leading off as the Guardians' designated hitter. In 17 games since returning from the injured list, Ramirez is slashing .197/.333/.197 with zero extra-base hits, four RBI, 11 runs scored, five stolen bases and a 12:3 BB:K across 75 plate appearances.

Garcia (hand) went 0-for-1 with a run scored and three walks with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Thursday.

Garcia resumed his rehab assignment from a strained muscle in his left hand, though he didn't get much chance to hit, drawing three walks while committing a pair of errors across a full game at third base. The 26-year-old was pulled off his assignment after just one appearance July 28 due to renewed discomfort, but after receiving a cortisone injection and participating in some baseball activity, he was given the green light to return to game action. It's unclear how long the Royals plan to keep Garcia in the minors, but provided his hand remains pain-free coming out of Thursday's game, he's tracking toward a return to the big-league roster in the not-too-distant future. Before landing on the injured list, Garcia slashed .261/.320/.373 with three home runs, 30 RBI, 32 runs and five stolen bases across 69 contests.

Prieto will start at third base and bat ninth in Friday's contest versus the Cubs.

It's the fifth start over the last six games against right-handers for Prieto, who picked up his first hit of the season in Wednesday's win over the Phillies. The 27-year-old infielder is just 2-for-34 so far at the major-league level but has been a steady performer at Triple-A Memphis, slashing .307/.373/.517 with 12 homers and a 25:38 BB:K over 71 games there this season.

The Giants transferred Chapman (abdomen) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Turner Hill. Chapman underwent season-ending hernia surgery earlier this week but should be ready to go for the start of spring training.

Muncy went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Brewers.

Muncy pinch hit for Miguel Rojas in the sixth inning and delivered the Dodgers' biggest hit of the game. Over 11 contests in August, Muncy has gone 8-for-35 (.229) with two homers and 10 RBI. The third baseman is batting .250 with an .832 OPS, 23 homers, 59 RBI, 63 runs scored, 17 doubles, one triple and two stolen bases through 112 contests overall. He primarily works in a strong-side platoon role, though his playing time versus southpaws is rising -- he's started against three of the last five lefties the Dodgers have faced.