• Sees time at hot corner Thursday
    Diaz drew a start at third base in Thursday's loss to the Royals, going 1-for-2 before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the seventh inning.

    Advice: The veteran drew only his fifth start of June and delivered his third hit of the season across 24 plate appearances. Diaz began the month logging what was a third straight start at the time, but his sparse playing time since and advanced age may imply he's not much longer for the roster of an Athletics team that will increasingly focus on developing young players as the remainder of the season unfolds. Rotowire.com 13 minutes ago
    Aledmys DíazOAK - CI,MI,LF
    6:40 pm vs MIN
     
  • Tallies three hits Thursday
    Hernandez went 3-for-5 with a double and a run Thursday in a 5-3 win against Colorado.

    Advice: Hernandez departed in the seventh inning of Wednesday's matchup between the clubs, but manager Dave Roberts indicated afterward that the early exit was simply for rest reasons, and the outfielder's inclusion in Thursday's lineup seems to validate that claim. Hernandez certainly didn't appear bothered by any issues in the finale of the four-game set, as he recorded his fourth three-hit performance of the campaign. He's been swinging a hot bat over the past two weeks, slashing .321/.387/.732 with six homers, 16 RBI, 10 runs and a stolen base over his past 14 games. Rotowire.com 15 minutes ago
  • Sees action as in-game replacement
    Toro (shoulder) entered Thursday's loss to the Royals as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the seventh inning and remained in the game at third base, recording a double in his only plate appearance.

    Advice: Toro was out of the starting nine for the third straight game due to shoulder soreness, but his ability to make some hard contact and then stay in the game on defense implies he may be ready to return to the lineup Friday. The veteran's pinch-hit, two-out two-bagger Thursday had the potential to generate Toro's 25th RBI of the campaign and snap a 2-2 tie, but Kyle McCann was thrown out at the plate to end the frame. Rotowire.com 38 minutes ago
    Abraham ToroOAK - CI,MI
    6:40 pm vs MIN
     
  • Expects to avoid injured list
    Kepler said after being removed from Thursday's game against the Rays because of neck spasms that he expects to avoid the injured list, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.

    Advice: Kepler revealed that he actually felt his neck spasming in the on-deck circle before his first plate appearance and made a decision not to swing the bat, which is why he attempted to bunt twice. He was pulled from the game following a headfirst slide into first base while trying to beat out a bunt. While it's unclear whether Kepler will be ready to play Friday in Oakland, he can be considered day-to-day. Rotowire.com 45 minutes ago
     
  • Productive night in loss
    Moore went 1-for-3 with with a two-run home run, a walk and a stolen base in a loss to the Guardians on Thursday.

    Advice: Moore got the Mariners' night off on the right foot with his first-inning 429-foot shot to left that plated J.P. Crawford. The round tripper was Moore's second in the last three games, following an atypical 21-game homer drought. Moore has also been particularly active on the basepaths of late, now having recorded four steals in his last five contests to push his season total to 13. Rotowire.com 49 minutes ago
    Dylan MooreSEA - CI,MI,LF
    4:10 pm @MIA
     
  • Sent to Triple-A
    The Royals optioned Nola to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

    Advice: The 34-year-old was called up by Kansas City last weekend but will lose his place on the 26-man roster as Hunter Renfroe (toe) returns from the injured list. Nola didn't see game action while up with the Royals. Rotowire.com Today, 8:55 am
     
  • Returns from injured list
    The Royals reinstated Renfroe (toe) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

    Advice: The 32-year-old resumed taking swings over the weekend and is back on the active roster after spending the 10-day minimum on the shelf with a bruised toe. Renfroe had a hot start to June prior to the injury as he went 7-for-18 with two doubles, two homers and six RBI in six games. Rotowire.com Today, 8:47 am
  • Out against left-hander
    Busch is not in the lineup for Friday's contest against the Mets.

    Advice: The Mets are sending southpaw Jose Quintana to the bump, which means Busch will begin this one on the bench. Patrick Wisdom is getting the start at first base. Rotowire.com Today, 8:44 am
     
  • Headed back to majors
    The Astros will recall Loperfido from Triple-A Sugar Land prior to Friday's game against the Orioles, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: It's not yet clear what the corresponding roster move will be. Loperfido has slashed .272/.365/.568 with 13 home runs and nine stolen bases this season with Sugar Land and has hit .333/.381/.436 with one homer and one steal in 15 games with the Astros. Contact has been an issue at both spots, as he had a 28 percent strikeout rate at Sugar Land and a 39.5 percent strikeout rate in Houston. The power and speed potential is real, however. Loperfido played only center field during his most recent stint in the minors, so while he does have some experience at first base, the Astros seem to still be viewing him mostly as an option in the outfield. Rotowire.com Today, 8:37 am