MLB Player News

Judge went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 2-0 victory over the Rays.

With the game still scoreless in the bottom of the ninth, Judge came to the plate following a Trent Grisham walk and launched an opposite-field, walk-off homer off Kevin Kelly. It's the first home run in 12 games for Judge, who'd been slumping mightily coming into the day, going just 1-for-23 in his prior six contests. Overall, Judge is slashing .250/.379/.557 with 17 homers (tied for second-most in the majors) with 32 RBI, 41 runs scored and five stolen bases across 234 plate appearances this year.

Freeman will start in right field and bat second in Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Freeman will occupy right field for the fifth game in a row after going 4-for-14 with a walk, two RBI and a run over his previous four starts. The Rockies will eventually get one of their everyday outfielders in Mickey Moniak (ankle) back from the injured list, but Freeman could end up holding on to a regular role with Colorado having begun to phase out Edouard Julien, who is batting just .065 with a 35.3 percent strikeout rate thus far in May.

Valdez went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Valdez launched his first career major-league home run off Chase Lee in the top of the sixth inning. It also marked the 22-year-old's first career hit, as he's gone just 1-for-8 through his first three games with the Pirates. While he's been substituted for twice, Valdez has started each game for the big club since making his debut Friday.

Castellanos is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.

Castellanos will head to the bench for the series finale after he started in each of the Padres' last five games while going 2-for-16 with a solo home run, a walk and and an additional run. With Castellanos taking a seat, the Padres will make room in the lineup for Ty France at first base while Gavin Sheets and Ramon Laureano occupy the corner-outfield positions.

Butler is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

On the bench for the sixth time in seven games, Butler looks to have moved into a fourth-outfielder role while rookie Henry Bolte has taken over as the Athletics' primary option in center field. After producing five hits in his first three big-league games, Bolte has slowed down of late with a .535 OPS over his subsequent seven contests, so it may not be long before playing time reopens for Butler if Bolte's bat doesn't start heating back up.

Yastrzemski is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

Yastrzemski will head to the bench for the second time in the series, with the left-handed batter taking a seat while southpaw Foster Griffin starts for the Nationals. Atlanta will go with Mauricio Dubon in left field as Yastrzemski's replacement.

Gilbert is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

The left-handed-hitting Gilbert will hit the bench with southpaw Noah Schultz on the hill for Chicago, paving the way for Victor Bericoto to pick up a start in right field. Gilbert had started in each of the Giants' last four games against right-handed pitching and should be able to hold down a strong-side platoon role in the outfield until either Jung Hoo Lee (back) or Heliot Ramos (quadriceps) returns from the injured list.

Antonacci is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

After a string of eight consecutive starts, Antonacci will get a break for Sunday's day game against lefty Robbie Ray. Second baseman Chase Meidroth will step in for Antonacci as the White Sox's leadoff hitter.

Kelenic is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

The Giants are sending southpaw Robbie Ray to the hill for the series finale, so the left-handed-hitting Kelenic will head to the bench. Derek Hill will replace Kelenic in right field and will bat seventh.

Happ is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

Happ will hit the bench for a second straight day in a move manager Craig Counsell is labeling a "mental breather," according to Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com. Counsell said that he plans to include Happ in the lineup Monday in Pittsburgh, though the 31-year-old could end up slotting lower in the batting order than usual after going just 1-for-24 with two walks and 14 strikeouts over his last six games.