MLB Player News

The Royals placed Pasquantino (hand) on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to a right hamate fracture.

The 28-year-old sustained the injury during Saturday's game against the Astros and now seems likely to be sidelined at least through the All-Star break, though he's currently without an official timeline for his return. Jac Caglianone replaced Pasquantino at first base Saturday and is also occupying the position in Sunday's series finale while John Rave was called up from Triple-A Omaha to bolster Kansas City's bench.

The Guardians reinstated Arias (hamstring) from the 60-day injured list Sunday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Arias served as the primary shortstop to begin the season and posted a .683 OPS over 10 games before landing on the IL due to a hamstring strain, but he's likely to fill a utility role upon his return now that standout rookie Travis Bazzana has settled into an everyday role at the keystone, with Brayan Rocchio established at shortstop. Arias could see most of his playing time at third base while Jose Ramirez (hand) is sidelined due to a hamate bone fracture, but he'll be competing for reps with Daniel Schneemann.

The Guardians placed Ramirez (hand) on the 10-day injured list Sunday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

The move was a foregone conclusion after the seven-time All-Star was diagnosed with a left hamate bone fracture following Saturday's game. Cleveland reinstated Gabriel Arias (wrist) from the 60-day IL in a corresponding move, and he and Daniel Schneemann are likely to be the primary options at third base while Ramirez is sidelined. The Guardians haven't provided an official target date for Ramirez's return, but recovery timelines for hamate bone fractures typically range from four to eight weeks.

Mikolas is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind opener PJ Poulin in Sunday's game against the Mariners, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Mikolas will be making his sixth straight appearance as a bulk reliever, this time working behind Poulin after lefty Richard Lovelady served as the Nationals' opener in Mikolas' previous turn through the rotation. The veteran right-hander has gone 0-2 with a 4.32 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB in 25 innings over his last five outings.

Duran went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Rangers.

The Rangers made it a one-run game in the top of the eighth inning before Duran put it out of reach with a two-run blast in the bottom of the frame. The homer was 11th of the season for Duran, who clubbed nine during the month of May but entered Saturday batting .158 (6-for-38) with one RBI over his first nine games in June.

Poulin will serve as the Nationals' opener for Sunday's game against the Mariners, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Poulin will draw his eighth start of the season, and just like on the previous seven occasions, he's expected to cover no more than two innings. Miles Mikolas is slated to work in bulk relief behind Poulin.

Rafaela went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Saturday's 6-3 win over Texas.

Rafaela delivered a two-out, two-run single in the seventh inning which turned out to be the game-winning hit. He continued a productive stretch and is 15-for-41 (.366) with two home runs and nine RBI over 10 games since the calendar flipped to June.

The Reds optioned Higgins to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

With backup catcher Jose Trevino (hamstring) returning from the injured list, Higgins was no longer needed as a depth option behind top backstop Tyler Stephenson. Following his May 17 promotion from Louisville, Higgins saw action in just eight games for the Reds and slashed .250/.294/.313 with three RBI and one run across 20 plate appearances.

The Reds reinstated Trevino (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Sunday.

Following just under a month-long stay on the shelf due to a left hamstring strain, Trevino will rejoin the Reds ahead of their series finale versus Arizona and will start at catcher and bat eighth Sunday. Trevino, who played in three minor-league rehab games prior to being activated, will reprise his usual duties as the No. 2 backstop behind Tyler Stephenson. The Reds optioned fellow catcher P.J. Higgins to Triple-A Louisville to make room on the active roster for Trevino.

Norby will start at third base and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Norby's playing time has been trending down lately while the Marlins have been keeping the hot-hitting Heriberto Hernandez's bat in the lineup. Miami will include Norby in the lineup Sunday for just the fifth time in the last 11 games, with the 26-year-old covering the hot corner this time after his previous four starts had come at first base. With Hernandez gaining a foothold in left field, the Marlins could continue to lean primarily on Liam Hicks and Kyle Stowers at first base rather than Norby, who is slashing a measly .193/.317/.307 since the beginning of May.