MLB Player News

Sosa went 3-for-5 with a double and a three-run home run in Saturday's win over Arizona.

Sosa singled in his third trip to the plate and was later thrown out at home on a fielder's choice. However, he came right back with a two-out, three-run home run in the following inning to increase the White Sox's lead to five runs while also adding a double in the ninth. It marked the third baseman's first three-hit performance of the season and his fifth multi-hit effort this month, during which he's batting .333 with two homers and seven RBI.

Angels manager Ron Washington said Tuesday that Rendon (hamstring) was scheduled to field more grounders to his left and right this week before resuming running drills, MLB.com reports.

It's not clear how Rendon responded to incorporating more lateral movement into his fielding work, but the 34-year-old generally looks to be trending in the right direction as he works his way back from the left hamstring strain that has kept him out since April 20. He remains without a clear target date for a return from the 60-day IL, but if he's able to increase his running work in the coming days, the Angels could begin the process of outlining a minor-league rehab assignment for the veteran third baseman.

Candelario went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Brewers.

Candelario had two of Cincinnati's five hits, including a ninth-inning double that plated the club's lone run. The once-struggling infielder is having himself a June, going 20-for-56 (.357) with six home runs, four doubles and 14 RBI through 13 games.

Riley went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run and two walks in Saturday's 9-2 victory against the Rays.

Riley broke the game open in the seventh frame with his three-run shot to center field that gave Atlanta an 8-1 lead. It was the second straight contest with a long ball for the third baseman following a 23-game homerless stretch (and a 45-game span during which he went deep only once). Riley may finally be getting his power on track, but with just five long balls through 233 plate appearances, he'll be hard-pressed to reach 30 homers for the fourth straight season.

Rojas went 2-for-3 with a home run, two walks, three RBI and three runs scored in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Rangers.

Rojas went 2-for-27 (.074) over his previous 10 games before breaking out of the slump in a big way. He hit a solo shot in the seventh inning and a two-run single in the eighth, providing the Mariners with enough of a cushion to survive the Rangers' late comeback. The homer was Rojas' first since April 28 and his fourth of the season to go with 15 RBI, 26 runs scored, six stolen bases and a .263/.336/.395 slash line over 61 contests. He continues to play in a strong-side platoon role at third base.

Vierling went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Saturday's 13-5 win over the Astros.

Vierling has homered twice over his last four contests, though both were solo shots that represent his only RBI since May 29. The outfielder is batting a modest .196 (10-for-51) over 12 contests in June, though he's still often hitting in the top third of the Tigers' lineup. Vierling is at a .266/.305/.468 slash line with nine homers, 30 RBI, 30 runs scored, nine doubles, four triples and no stolen bases through 63 games this year.

Ortiz went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run Saturday in a 3-1 win against Cincinnati.

All of Milwaukee's runs in the contest came on Ortiz's fifth-inning homer off Reds starter Andrew Abbott. The long ball was Ortiz's first since May 17 -- a span of 24 games. Power isn't a big part of Ortiz's profile, but he's proven plenty capable with the bat in his first full season in the majors, slashing .281/.381/.472 with six home runs, 27 RBI, 26 runs, four stolen bases and a 28:31 BB:K through 211 plate appearances.

Muncy (oblique) is at least a week away from swinging a bat and doesn't have a timeline for return, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Muncy's recovery from a right oblique strain has been unexpectedly slow, and he doesn't seem particularly close to returning. The 33-year-old hasn't swung a bat in a few weeks and won't be cleared for swings for at least another week. Cavan Biggio and Enrique Hernandez should handle most of the work at third base until Muncy returns.

Smith (undisclosed) is not in the starting lineup Saturday versus the Mariners, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Smith will miss a second straight game as he nurses "general tightness." Ezequiel Duran will draw the start at third base while Robbie Grossman enters the lineup at designated hitter and bats seventh against Seattle.

Walls is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's contest against Atlanta.

Walls will take a seat after he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Friday's series opener. Amed Rosario will draw the start at shortstop and bat seventh versus Atlanta.