MLB Player News
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Brandon Belt DH | TOR
Giants' Brandon Belt: On bench against left-hander
Belt isn't starting Friday's game against San Diego, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Belt will be out of the lineup for the third time this week since left-hander Blake Snell is on the mound for the Padres on Friday. Wilmer Flores is starting at first base while David Villar takes over at the keystone.
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Brent Rooker DH | ATH
Padres' Brent Rooker: Recalled Friday
Rooker was recalled from Triple-A El Paso on Friday.
The 27-year-old hasn't yet appeared in any major-league games this year, but he'll join the Padres as outfield depth after Jurickson Profar (concussion/neck) was placed on the injured list. Rooker has slashed .279/.401/.596 with 14 homers, 45 runs, 44 RBI and four stolen bases over 49 games in El Paso this year.
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Daniel Vogelbach DH | TOR
Pirates' Daniel Vogelbach: Not in Friday's lineup
Vogelbach isn't starting Friday's game against the Brewers.
Vogelbach will be out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games after going 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI during Thursday's nightcap against the Reds. Yoshi Tsutsugo is serving as the designated hitter while Michael Chavis starts at first base.
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Bligh Madris DH | STL
Pirates' Bligh Madris: Sent to minors
Madris was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.
Madris was promoted from Indianapolis on June 20 and played hit well early in his first taste of big-league action, but he's now been sent down after striking out 11 times during a 3-for-24 slump. The 26-year-old's playing time decreased once Ben Gamel (hamstring) returned from the injured list earlier this week.
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Giancarlo Stanton DH | NYY
Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton: Heads to bench
Stanton will sit Friday in Boston.
Stanton has just one hit in his last four games, though that hit was a homer Wednesday against the Pirates. He's cleared the fence seven times in his last 13 games, giving him 21 for the year. Aaron Judge will be the designated hitter Friday, while Matt Carpenter and Joey Gallo handle the outfield corners.
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Yordan Alvarez DH | HOU
Astros' Yordan Alvarez: Smashes 26th homer
Alvarez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Thursday's 5-2 victory over Kansas City.
Alvarez gave the Astros a 3-2 lead in the fifth inning with a solo blast off Royals starter Kris Bubic. During his current five-game hitting streak, the lefty has slashed .316/.435/.895 with three homers and two doubles.
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Mike Ford DH | MIN
Braves' Mike Ford: Called up Friday
Ford was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
The 30-year-old will return to the big leagues after being sent down Monday, replacing Adam Duvall (personal) who was placed on the paternity list Friday. Ford has gone 0-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts while appearing in two games since joining Atlanta in June.
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Justin Turner DH | CHC
Dodgers' Justin Turner: Extends hot streak
Turner went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in a 5-3 victory versus the Cubs on Thursday.
Turner knocked one of four Dodgers homers in the contest, going deep to center field in the fourth inning. The long ball was his fourth in his past eight games after he swatted only four through his first 69 contests of the season. Turner has reached base safely in nine straight contests and is slashing .500/.529/.900 with eight RBI in addition to the four home runs over that stretch.
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Christopher Morel 1B | MIA
Cubs' Christopher Morel: Belts homer Thursday
Morel went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Thursday's loss to the Dodgers.
The Cubs couldn't get much going in the contest, but Morel ensured that they weren't shut out with his two-run blast to left field in the fifth inning. The long ball was his ninth of the campaign and was just his third hit over his past six contests. Despite the recent mini-slump, Morel is enjoying a strong rookie campaign with a .273/.343/.503 slash line, 25 RBI, 33 runs and seven stolen bases in addition to the nine homers.
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Luis Torrens C | NYM
Mariners' Luis Torrens: Nearing rehab assignment
Manager Scott Servais said Thursday that Torrens (shoulder) is close to beginning a rehab assignment, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
Torrens took early batting practice prior to Thursday's game against the Blue Jays and is close to returning to game action with a minor-league affiliate. If he's able to begin a rehab assignment in the coming days, it's possible he'll be cleared to rejoin the Mariners shortly before the All-Star break.