MLB Player News

Duran went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk during the Red Sox's 13-1 win over the Athletics on Friday.

Duran got the Red Sox's scoring started with a two-run homer in the second inning, with Boston scoring three additional runs off Jack Perkins in the frame. Duran has struggled offensively for much of the season but has been far better at the plate as of late. Over his last seven games, he's gone 9-for-27 with two steals, three walks, three home runs and six RBI.

Soderstrom went 1-for-3 with a solo home run during the Athletics' 13-1 loss to the Red Sox on Friday.

Red Sox southpaw Payton Tolle was dealing in Friday's start and had a no-hitter through five frames, but Soderstrom ended the no-hit bid with a solo home run to right-center field. It was his 18th long ball of the season and fourth since the All-Star break. It also extended his hitting streak to six games, during which he has gone 7-for-21 with three RBI and four extra-base hits.

The Cardinals are expected to designate Velazquez for assignment Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The Cardinals need to free up a spot on the active roster after claiming Everson Pereira off waivers from the White Sox on Thursday, and Velazquez seems to be in line to become the odd man out. The 27-year-old has put up a .721 OPS in 83 major-league plate appearances this season, so he could draw interest from other clubs browsing the waiver wire for outfield depth.

McCarthy went 3-for-4 with a double and a strikeout during Friday's 3-2 loss to St. Louis.

McCarthy extended his hitting streak to six games after recording three hits Friday. The 29-year-old also recorded his second three-hit game in his last three games. Over his last seven games, McCarthy is now slashing .355/.344/.548 with one homer, one steal and five RBI in 31 plate appearances.

Montgomery went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk, a run scored and a strikeout in an 8-2 loss to the Guardians on Friday.

In his first at-bat, Montgomery belted a solo home run against Parker Messick to cut the Guardians' lead to one. It was the 23-year-old's first home run since July 12, breaking a drought of 19 straight games without a long ball. On the campaign, Montgomery is now batting .236/.316/.385 with four home runs and 23 RBI through 196 plate appearances.

Kwan went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored in an 8-2 win over the White Sox on Friday.

In the top of the sixth inning, Kwan came up to bat and blasted his first home run since April 6 and only his second of the season to extend Cleveland's lead to 8-1. The 28-year-old extended his hitting streak to seven games and has now recorded at least one hit in 13 of his last 14 games. Over his last 30 games, Kwan is batting a scorching hot .406/.487/.525 with 16 walks in 117 plate appearances.

Martinez went 2-for-5 with a grand slam, six total RBI, a run scored and a strikeout during Friday's 8-2 win over the White Sox.

Martinez got the scoring started in the first inning with a two-run single, giving Cleveland a 2-0 lead. The 24-year-old then stepped to the plate in the fifth inning and blasted a grand slam. Martinez logged a season-high six RBI, breaking his previous record of four, which he accomplished twice earlier this season. He has slashed .231/.266/.424 with a career-high 12 home runs, 42 RBI, nine steals and 31 runs scored in 284 plate appearances.

Benge was removed from Friday's game against the Pirates with left wrist soreness, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

Benge appeared to jam his wrist while making a sliding catch in the third inning, and he was replaced in left field once the Mets' defense took the field in the fourth. Initial X-rays on his wrist came back negative, per Mike Puma of the New York Post, though Benge will undergo additional testing Saturday to confirm he didn't suffer a serious injury.

Mullins is not in the Rays' starting lineup against the Mariners on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Even though the Mariners are sending right-hander Logan Gilbert to the mound, the lefty-hitting Mullins will open Friday's game on the bench while Jonny DeLuca starts in center field and bats sixth. Mullins has gone 12-for-53 (.226) with three steals (in four attempts), two home runs, five RBI and 10 runs scored since the All-Star break.

Bateman will start in center field and bat ninth against the Phillies on Friday.

Bateman was acquired by the Blue Jays in a trade that sent Kevin Gausman to the Cubs. Bateman did not have to wait long for an opportunity, as he will make his major-league debut Friday. He posted an .851 OPS with 20 steals (in 23 chances), three home runs and 33 RBI across 349 plate appearances with Triple-A Iowa prior to his trade to Toronto.