MLB Player News

Alvarez went 3-for-4 with two solo home runs in Monday's 8-5 win over the Marlins.

Alvarez demolished a solo homer to cap off a six-run second inning, then blasted another solo shot in the fifth frame. The slugger is currently riding a seven-game hitting streak, during which he has gone 13-for-25 (.520) with four homers, four doubles, eight RBI and five runs scored. With his two long balls Monday, the 29-year-old pulled even with Kyle Schwarber for the major-league lead with 33 home runs. It has been nothing short of a monster campaign for Alvarez in 2026, as he's slashing .324/.432/.651 with 53 extra-base hits, 75 RBI and 67 runs scored across 100 contests.

The Athletics outrighted Meneses to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Meneses was designated for assignment Saturday but with remain with the Athletics organization after passing through waivers. He's been a standout performer at Las Vegas this season, batting .346 with 12 home runs in 72 games.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday that Ohtani (knee) could throw a bullpen session as soon as this weekend, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani has not made a start on the mound since July 3 as he deals with nagging irritation in his left knee. He had the knee drained and was given a cortisone shot over the All-Star break but felt more soreness while playing catch this past weekend. Ohtani played catch again Monday and might be ready to throw off a mound in a few days, but it will be multiple weeks before he's ready to start a game on the bump for the Dodgers. The knee issue has not kept Ohtani from designated hitter duties, as he will make an 11th straight start Monday in Philadelphia.

Smith is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Padres.

The left-handed-hitting Smith will hit the bench for the second time in four games since the All-Star break while Atlanta goes up against lefty JP Sears in the series opener. With Smith taking a seat, Drake Baldwin will get a day off from catching but will stay in the lineup at designated hitter.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters Monday that Stanton (calf) has "no timeline" to start a minor-league rehab assignment, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Stanton has been sidelined by a right calf strain since April 24. He resumed running right before the All-Star break after receiving a PRP injection, but the veteran slugger has not progressed enough in his recovery to embark on a rehab assignment. The Yankees should have a better sense of Stanton's return timeline once he's cleared to play in minor-league games.

The Padres placed Andujar on the 10-day injured list Monday with a fractured right wrist.

Andujar was struck by a Lucas Erceg pitch during Sunday's win over the Royals. He remained in that contest, but subsequent testing revealed a fracture. Andujar needs only a splint and not a cast, and the Padres expect him to return sometime in August, per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. With Andujar shelved, the Padres could utilize Manny Machado in the designated hitter spot and Sung-Mun Song at third base. On Monday in Atlanta, the club has Xander Bogaerts at DH and Song at shortstop.

The Tigers optioned Valencia to Triple-A Toledo following Sunday's game against the Orioles.

Valencia was recalled from Triple-A shortly before the All-Star break to provide catching depth behind Dillon Dingler, but the former will head back to Toledo after Gleyber Torres (oblique) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list. Valencia did well at the plate during his short major-league stint, going 5-for-12 (.417) with two home runs, three RBI and three runs scored.

Gonzalez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Orioles.

Gonzalez had been included in the lineup in four of the Red Sox's last five games, but three of those starts came against left-handed pitching. The 29-year-old looks like he'll have to settle for more of a part-time role versus righties, especially while Masataka Yoshida (1.117 OPS in July) is swinging a hot bat.

Alvarez went 1-for-4 with an RBI double in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Orioles.

The Astros ended up getting swept during their first series coming out of the All-Star break, but Alvarez did his part to keep the offense afloat. He contributed run-scoring doubles in all three contests of the series, boosting his American League-leading RBI total to 73. Alvarez is also pacing the AL in home runs (31) and ranks first among qualified hitters in batting average (.319), putting him in strong position to become the majors' first Triple Crown winner since Miguel Cabrera in 2012.

Del Castillo went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in Sunday's 8-7 extra-inning win over the Cardinals.

Del Castillo made his first appearance since being recalled Saturday, serving as the designated hitter. An injury to Lourdes Gurriel (thigh) provides an opportunity for the left-handed batting Del Castillo to get platoon work at DH, although he was demoted earlier this month due to a lack of hitting.