MLB Player News

Rafaela (back) is starting in center field and batting second Tuesday against the Orioles, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

The center fielder was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's matchup with the Guardians due to lower-back soreness, but he's apparently in the clear coming off Monday's team day off. Rafaela finished May on a bit of a cold streak with a .671 OPS over his past eight games, but he still has a .275/.340/.430 slash line through 212 plate appearances on the season.

Caglianone went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, an additional run scored and a walk in Monday's 9-2 victory over the Reds.

Caglianone reached base three times, highlighted by a two-run homer that left the bat at 108.1 mph in the fifth inning. Monday marked a strong start to June for the 23-year-old after he hit .222 with a .638 OPS, three homers, four doubles, seven RBI, seven runs and a stolen base across 27 contests in May. Overall, he's hitting .242 with a .711 OPS, 16 extra-base hits (six homers), 13 RBI, 20 runs and a stolen base through 55 games this season.

Thomas went 3-for-5 with a grand slam, a double and an additional run scored in Monday's win over the Reds.

Thomas launched a two-out grand slam in the bottom of the first inning, giving the Royals a nice cushion they'd never relinquish. This was Thomas' second homer of the season, and it's worth noting that he also ended just a triple away from the cycle. The 30-year-old has hit .320 with a .930 OPS, a homer, three doubles, six RBI, two runs scored and a 5:2 K:BB over his last nine games.

Siri went 1-for-5 with a grand slam in Monday's loss to the Rockies.

Siri cashed in on a bases-loaded opportunity in the third inning, turning on a Kyle Freeland cutter for a grand slam. The homer was the center fielder's second of the campaign, with his first coming Tuesday against the Tigers. Siri has impressed in a small sample size, hitting .304 with a .985 OPS across 24 plate appearances while seeing most of his opportunities in left field.

Greene went 3-for-4 with a walk, a double, a solo home run and three total RBI in Monday's 10-9 win over the Rays.

Greene was right in the middle of Detroit's offensive onslaught Monday, as he lifted one of the team's five home runs. The talented outfielder only has five long balls through 61 games, putting him well behind last year's pace, when he blasted a career-high 36 homers in 157 regular-season games. However, Greene has otherwise been excellent with a .309/.399/.450 slash line, and the batting average and on-base percentage would both be new career bests.

Manager Kevin Cash said after Monday's 10-9 loss to the Tigers that Simpson (mouth) is expected to play Tuesday against Detroit, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Simpson was removed from Monday's contest after he sustained a busted lip when his helmet fell off and came up to strike him in the mouth. Simpson required stitches but is otherwise fine. He went 1-for-2 with a single prior to leaving Monday.

Carpenter went 3-for-5 with a double, a solo home run and two total RBI in Monday's 10-9 win over the Rays.

Carpenter was one of four Detroit players to go deep in an offensive explosion Monday. The outfielder just returned from the injured list Sunday after missing about three weeks due to an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder, and the long ball was his first since April 24. Carpenter is still looking to hit his stride this year, and the injury certainly disrupted his momentum, but the 28-year-old is capable of heating up in a hurry.

Simpson was removed from Monday's game against Detroit due to a cut on his mouth, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. He went 1-for-2 with a single prior to leaving the game.

Simpson was advancing to second base when his helmet fell off and struck his mouth, causing the laceration and left him bloodied. Ryan Vilade replaced Simpson in left field and in the fifth spot of the lineup.

Meckler is out of the lineup for the series opener against Colorado, reports Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com

Meckler will ride the bench for the second consecutive game after starting the previous five games. Jose Siri will once again replace Meckler in left field and bat seventh in the order.

The Rangers placed Haggerty on the bereavement list Monday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Haggerty will likely be away for the entirety of the Rangers' three-game series in St. Louis before returning to the active roster this weekend as the team kicks off a homestand. Cody Freeman is grabbing Haggerty's roster spot.