MLB Player News

Soler (hip) is serving as the designated hitter and batting out of the cleanup spot against the Dodgers on Friday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Soler was removed from Wednesday's game against the Rockies due to a left hip injury, but he has been cleared to play in Friday'' series opener. He has reached base safely in each of his last 11 games, and over that span he has gone 11-for-44 (.250) with three RBI and six runs scored.

Neto (neck) is starting at shortstop and batting out of the leadoff spot against the Dodgers on Friday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Neto was out of the lineup in each of the Angels' past three games while recovering from whiplash, but the 25-year-old shortstop has progressed enough in his recovery to return to action for Friday's series opener. Neto is slashing .231/.339/.427 with eight steals (in 14 attempts), 10 home runs and 27 RBI over 274 plate appearances.

Schmitt went 4-for-6 with two home runs, three runs scored and three RBI in Friday's 18-3 rout of the Cubs.

The 27-year-old utility player was one of three Giants to go yard twice on the afternoon along with Matt Chapman and Willy Adames -- the third time in franchise history that's happened, after Reggie Sanders and two teammates did it in 2002, and a trio headlined by Hall of Famer Willie Mays accomplished it in 1956. Schmitt has already established a new career high with 15 homers on the season, and nine of them have come in his last 19 games -- a stretch in which he's batting .322 (28-for-87) with 14 runs and 20 RBI.

Moniak (ankle) has been cleared to begin baseball activities, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports.

Manager Warren Schaeffer said Friday that Moniak resumed hitting off a tee during Colorado's series against the Angels, but the 28-year-old outfielder remains without a return timeline. He has been sidelined by right ankle tendinitis since late May and will likely embark on a rehab assignment before coming off the IL.

Adames went 2-for-2 with two walks, two home runs, four runs scored and four RBI in Friday's 18-3 rout of the Cubs.

Three different Giants hitters launched two long balls on the afternoon, with Adames' pair coming in the first inning off Edward Cabrera and in the sixth off Hoby Milner. Adames has 11 homers on the season, with eight of them coming in his last 17 games -- a stretch in which the shortstop is batting .297 (19-for-64) with 16 RBI and 17 runs.

The Angels designated Anderson for assignment Friday.

It's the second time this season that Anderson has been DFA'd by the Angels, with the first instance taking place in late April. He proceeded to ink a minor-league contract to return to the Angels and his contract was selected by the big club Wednesday, but he is being booted off the big club's 40-man roster again. The move corresponds with Los Angeles selecting Samy Natera's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake.

Chapman went 2-for-3 with two home runs and eight RBI in Friday's 18-3 rout of the Cubs.

The veteran third baseman came into the game with just two long balls on the season, but he doubled that total with a grand slam in the fourth inning off Edward Cabrera and a three-run blast in the sixth off Ethan Roberts. Chapman added a sacrifice fly in the fifth. It's been a tough season so far for Chapman, but over his last 16 games he's batting .310 (18-for-58) with five doubles and three of his four homers, along with an 8:8 BB:K. He's averaged 23.8 home runs over the previous five years, and Friday's massive performance could signal to beginning of a summer surge.

The Angels selected Natera's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

Natera has pitched well out of the bullpen in Triple-A, where he has a 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 44:18 K:BB across 30 innings. He'll now get a shot with the Angels, and Natera's first call to the mound will officially be his major-league debut. The move corresponds with the Angels designating right-hander Shaun Anderson for assignment.

Young isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Diamondbacks, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Young has tallied a base hit in each of Washington's last three games, but the team will keep him on the bench to begin Friday's series opener. Daylen Lile, Dylan Crews and James Wood will start across the outfield while Young sits.

Mead isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against Arizona, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Mead will get a day off Friday after going 10-for-37 (.270) with three homers, nine RBI and six runs over his last 10 games. Jorbit Vivas will pick up a start at the hot corner as a result and bat sixth.