MLB Player News
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Austin Riley 3B | ATL
Braves' Austin Riley: Power surge continues
Riley went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a second run scored in Sunday's loss to the Rays.
The third baseman erupted out of a slump to homer in three straight games against Tampa Bay, racking up six hits and eight RBI in the three-games weekend series. Even with the power surge, Riley has only six home runs and 28 RBI on the season, but he's topped 30 homers and 90 RBI in each of the past three seasons. The 27-year-old is capable of going on a tear that would have him back on his usual pace before the end of June.
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Josh Jung 3B | TEX
Rangers' Josh Jung: Begins rehab assignment
Jung (wrist) started at third base and went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored for Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.
Jung kicked off a rehab assignment for the Express and played five innings in the field. Texas manager Bruce Bochy previously targeted Jung for 30 at-bats before returning to the major leagues, but the manager acknowledged Sunday to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com that it's a fluid situation. "We'll kind of monitor how things are going with him, the at-bats, how his body is bouncing back," Bochy said. "But we don't have a specific number." Jung fractured his wrist on April 1 and underwent surgery the following day, leading to his stay on the 60-day injured list.
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Royce Lewis 3B | MIN
Twins' Royce Lewis: Impresses in doubleheader
Lewis went 3-for-7 with two home runs, three RBI, three walks and three runs scored as the Twins swept Sunday's doubleheader versus the Athletics.
Lewis has done nothing but mash since returning from a quadriceps injury he suffered Opening Day. This was the second time since his injury that he's homered in consecutive contests, and he's up to seven long balls in just 11 games this season. He's added 11 RBI, 12 runs scored, two doubles and no stolen bases while batting .390 with a 1.398 OPS over 47 plate appearances. He's seen steady time between third base and designated hitter, though his lengthy injury may give the risk-averse fantasy manager caution despite Lewis' clear upside.
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Jordan Westburg 2B | BAL
Orioles' Jordan Westburg: Blasts 11th homer
Westburg went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and an additional run scored Sunday against the Phillies.
It was the 18th multi-hit game of the season for Westburg, whose 11th homer came with two on in the fifth and represented the fourth long ball of the day allowed by Phillies starter Zack Wheeler. The 25-year-old is experiencing a breakout in his second big-league season, posting an impressive slash line of .278/.332/.504 with 11 home runs, 42 RBI, 37 runs and six steals over 268 plate appearances.
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Jose Miranda 3B | MIN
Twins' Jose Miranda: Breather in Game 2
Miranda is not in the starting lineup for Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader with the Athletics.
Miranda will head to the bench after he went 2-for-4 in the team's 6-2 win in Game 1. Trevor Larnach will slot in at designated hitter while Manuel Margot enters the lineup in left field and bats seventh against Oakland.
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Eugenio Suarez 3B | CIN
Diamondbacks' Eugenio Suarez: Hitting bench Sunday
Suarez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.
Though manager Torey Lovullo hinted earlier this week that Blaze Alexander would receive more playing time at third base going forward, Suarez still appears to be the Diamondbacks' preferred option at the hot corner for now. Though Alexander will man third base Sunday, Suarez had started in each of the previous three games and went 3-for-8 with a solo home run and three walks across those contests.
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Josh H. Smith SS | TEX
Rangers' Josh Smith: Remains out Sunday
Smith (undisclosed) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners.
Smith is on the bench for a third straight game due to an injury that manager Bruce Bochy has termed as "general tightness." Ezequiel Duran will get a second consecutive start at third base in place of the banged-up Smith.
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Luis Guillorme 3B | HOU
Angels' Luis Guillorme: Not getting regular work at 2B
Guillorme is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.
Guillorme is on the bench for the third time in four games. Though Kyren Paris' recent demotion to the minors has opened up playing time at the keystone while Brandon Drury (hamstring) remains on the injured list, Guillorme looks like he'll remain in a utility role while Michael Stefanic serves as the top option at second base.
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Justyn-Henry Malloy 3B | TB
Tigers' Justyn-Henry Malloy: Getting Sunday off
Malloy is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.
Malloy will head to the bench after he had served as the Tigers' designated hitter for each of the past three games while going 3-for-12 with a home run, a double and three RBI. The 24-year-old is providing a decent amount of power (three extra-base hits) in his first taste of the majors, but he's hitting just .188 with a 38.5 percent strikeout rate through 39 plate appearances. Malloy's hold on an everyday role could be tenuous, and he may be headed back to Triple-A Toledo if his playing time slips in the days to come.