MLB Player News

France went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Friday's win over the Marlins.

Getting the start at first base in place of Vladimir Guerrero (hamstring) and batting sixth, France rapped a two-run single in the first inning. He's started three straight games, going 3-for-10, but Guerrero could rejoin the starting nine as soon as Saturday, bumping France back into a bench role. Over 54 plate appearances since being acquired from the Twins at the trade deadline, France is slashing .327/.389/.429, but he's still looking for his first homer in a Blue Jays uniform.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that Judge is "close" to throwing to bases, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Judge hasn't played the outfield in a game since before he landed on the IL with a flexor strain in late July. Though the slugger has been taking part in a throwing program, it hasn't yet included throwing to bases. Judge seems to be close to advancing to that step, which would move him closer to being able to return to defensive work during games. For the time being, though, he'll likely remain New York's primary DH, which has resulted in Giancarlo Stanton getting more frequent rest days and playing right field when he is in the lineup.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that Cruz (oblique) will be activated off the injured list Sunday or Monday, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

Cruz has made four minor-league rehab appearances and is just about ready to return to the big club's bullpen. Though his first two rehab outings were rough, the right-hander has bounced back by allowing one run over 2.1 innings with a 5:1 K:BB over his past two appearances. Cruz should have a prominent place in the Yankees' bullpen upon his return, though the trade-deadline acquisitions of David Bednar and Camilo Doval could push him down the pecking order to some extent.

Dominguez is not part of the starting lineup for Saturday's matchup against Boston.

Dominguez will begin on the bench for the third time in New York's past six games. The Yankees' outfield will consist of Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham and Giancarlo Stanton from left to right versus Boston ace Garrett Crochet.

Montgomery went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and two runs scored Saturday against the Twins.

Montgomery has showcased his power consistently for the last month, with all 11 of his home runs coming in his last 26 starts. After a one-game absence earlier in the week due to side soreness, Montgomery has returned to start a pair of consecutive games and should be a mainstay in the White Sox's lineup moving forward.

Machin went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Friday's 10-7 loss to the Astros.

Entering the game at third base as part of a double switch in the top of the eighth inning, Machin drove the first pitch he saw from Kaleb Ort in the bottom of the frame over the fence in center field. The utility infielder had just been called up earlier in the day for his first MLB action since 2022, and Friday's blast was just the second homer of his career in 363 plate appearances. With Jordan Westburg (ankle) back on the IL, there might be some playing time available in the short term for Machin, but Jorge Mateo (hamstring) re-started his rehab assignment Wednesday and could be a week or so away from rejoining the roster.

Chisholm isn't in the starting lineup Saturday against the Red Sox.

Chisholm has posted a poor .637 OPS against left-handed pitchers this season, and he's beginning on the bench against southpaw Garrett Crochet on Saturday. With Chisholm out of the lineup, Jose Caballero is getting a start at second base for the Yankees.

Wong went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Friday's 1-0 win over the Yankees.

Wong played the hero in the seventh inning, knocking the second of back-to-back doubles to produce the game's lone run. It's been rough year for Wong, who lost his job as the starting catcher, but the bat has come around recently. He's 9-for-29 (.310) with three doubles and four RBI over the last nine contests.

Lowe went 1-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored Friday against the Cardinals.

Lowe led off the scoring for the Rays in the first inning with his 25th homer of the campaign. Six of those home runs have come in his last 15 starts, raising his slugging percentage to .489 for the season -- his highest mark since the 2021 campaign.

McMahon isn't in the starting lineup against Boston on Saturday.

McMahon is out of the starting nine for the second time in the Yankees' past five games while in the midst of a 7-for-48 stretch at the plate dating back to Aug. 2. Amed Rosario is getting a start at the hot corner in McMahon's stead Saturday.