MLB Player News
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Tyler Freeman RF | COL
Rockies' Tyler Freeman: Settling into everyday role
Freeman will start in right field and bat second in Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Freeman will occupy right field for the fifth game in a row after going 4-for-14 with a walk, two RBI and a run over his previous four starts. The Rockies will eventually get one of their everyday outfielders in Mickey Moniak (ankle) back from the injured list, but Freeman could end up holding on to a regular role with Colorado having begun to phase out Edouard Julien, who is batting just .065 with a 35.3 percent strikeout rate thus far in May.
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Willi Castro 2B | COL
Rockies' Willi Castro: Out Sunday due to back issue
Castro (back) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.
The Rockies will hold Castro out of the lineup for the series finale after he was scratched prior to Saturday's 5-4 loss due to lower-back tightness. Edouard Julien will join the starting nine as Castro's replacement at second base Sunday.
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Hunter Goodman C | COL
Rockies' Hunter Goodman: Taking seat Sunday
Goodman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Goodman will be rested for the series finale in Arizona after he started behind the plate in each of the Rockies' past three games. Brett Sullivan will get the nod at catcher Sunday, batting ninth while forming a battery with starting pitcher Jose Quintana.
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Esmerlyn Valdez RF | PIT
Pirates' Esmerlyn Valdez: Hits first career homer
Valdez went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Blue Jays.
Valdez launched his first career major-league home run off Chase Lee in the top of the sixth inning. It also marked the 22-year-old's first career hit, as he's gone just 1-for-8 through his first three games with the Pirates. While he's been substituted for twice, Valdez has started each game for the big club since making his debut Friday.
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Nick Castellanos RF | SD
Padres' Nick Castellanos: Heading to bench Sunday
Castellanos is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.
Castellanos will head to the bench for the series finale after he started in each of the Padres' last five games while going 2-for-16 with a solo home run, a walk and and an additional run. With Castellanos taking a seat, the Padres will make room in the lineup for Ty France at first base while Gavin Sheets and Ramon Laureano occupy the corner-outfield positions.
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Freddy Fermin C | SD
Padres' Freddy Fermin: Receiving rest Sunday
Fermin is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.
Fermin will get a breather for Sunday's day game after he had started behind the plate in three of the Friars' last four contests. Rodolfo Duran will handle catching duties in the series finale.
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Mitch Keller SP | PIT
Pirates' Mitch Keller: Posts quality start in win
Keller (5-2) earned the win against the Blue Jays on Sunday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts over six innings.
Keller allowed three baserunners and a run in the fourth inning but was otherwise solid, generating 11 whiffs on 101 pitches while limiting the Blue Jays to one extra-base hit. It was a nice rebound for the 30-year-old after allowing 10 earned runs over his previous two outings, and he's now logged seven quality starts while working into the sixth frame in nine of 11 appearances this season. He'll carry a 3.64 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 46:19 K:BB across 64.1 innings into a home matchup against the Twins next weekend.
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Mike Yastrzemski LF | ATL
Braves' Mike Yastrzemski: Excluded from starting nine Sunday
Yastrzemski is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.
Yastrzemski will head to the bench for the second time in the series, with the left-handed batter taking a seat while southpaw Foster Griffin starts for the Nationals. Atlanta will go with Mauricio Dubon in left field as Yastrzemski's replacement.
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Dominic Smith DH | ATL
Braves' Dominic Smith: Retreating to bench vs. lefty
Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.
After starting Atlanta's previous four games, the left-handed-hitting Smith will retreat to the bench Sunday while the Nationals send southpaw Foster Griffin to the bump. Ronald Acuna will receive a day off from playing the outfield but will remain in the lineup while filling Smith's usual role as Atlanta's designated hitter.
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Connor Norby 1B | MIA
Marlins' Connor Norby: Exits early after HBP
Norby went 0-for-1 before leaving Sunday's game against the Mets in the top of the sixth inning after being hit near his left elbow by a pitch earlier in the contest, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.
Norby was in obvious discomfort after being plunked, but he took his base and proceeded to play an inning at first base before he was replaced by Graham Pauley to begin the sixth. The Marlins will evaluate Norby further before providing additional word on his status heading into the club's three-game series in Toronto that begins Monday.