MLB Player News

Valdez went 1-for-6 with a three-run home run and a walk in Thursday's 14-2 win over the White Sox.

Valdez turned the game into a romp with his fourth-inning blast. He's hit safely in his last five contests, going 7-for-20 (.350) with three homers and eight RBI in that span. The 25-year-old is slashing just .189/.218/.378 through 120 plate appearances, but he's added five homers, 19 RBI and 13 runs scored across 35 contests. Valdez remains in a starting role at second base while Vaughn Grissom (hamstring) is on the injured list.

Mateo (concussion) played catch on the field at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Thursday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Mateo was placed on the 7-day concussion injured list Monday after his teammate, Cedric Mullins, inadvertently hit him with the bat in the back of the helmet while in the on-deck circle. It's not clear yet whether Mateo will have a chance to return when first eligible June 10, but him being able to travel with the team and take part in some baseball activities is a encouraging sign.

Loftin is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Guardians.

Loftin had been excluded from the lineup the Royals released Wednesday before the game was ultimately postponed due to inclement weather, but he'll get a proper rest day Thursday. Garrett Hampson will step in at second base in place of Loftin, who had picked up starts in six of the Royals' previous seven games.

Rodgers went 2-for-4 with a double, three RBI and a run scored Wednesday against the Reds.

Rodgers accounted for the majority of his production with a two-RBI single in the first inning. He now has at least one extra-base hit and one RBI in three straight games and has driven in eight runs across his last seven starts. Rodgers has lacked power production early this season, though he has managed a .274 batting average with 46 combined runs and RBI across 57 games.

Estrada went 3-for-6 with a double, one RBI and one run scored in Wednesday's 9-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

Estrada missed three games with a jammed thumb to begin June, but he's been strong at the plate on both sides of that minor injury. This was his fourth multi-hit effort in his last six games. The second baseman is up to a .250/.282/.417 slash line with eight home runs, one stolen base, 32 RBI and 33 runs scored over 59 contests this season. The Giants' lineup has been in flux for much of the year due to numerous injuries, but Estrada's been a near-constant presence even amid his early struggles.

Gelof went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a stolen base in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Mariners.

Gelof's bat is coming around -- he's 7-for-23 (.304) with two homers and three doubles during his six-game hitting streak. Prior to the streak, he went just 7-for-51 (.137) across his first 14 games back from an oblique injury. Gelof is slashing just .193/.254/.331 on the year, adding five homers, six steals, 13 RBI and 18 runs scored over 44 contests, but he'll get every chance to continue starting at second base for a team that has struggled to be competitive.

Gonzales went 2-for-3 with a two-RBI double, a sacrifice fly and an RBI single during Wednesday's 10-6 win over the Dodgers.

Despite the Pirates putting up a 10-spot, Gonzales' two-RBI double in the second inning was Pittsburgh's lone extra-base hit on the day. His four RBI tied his career high, which was set May 24 against Atlanta. Before that, the 25-year-old hadn't generated more than two RBI in a game in his career. Wednesday's contest added to Gonzales' breakout campaign, as he's slashing .310/.355/.500 with 20 RBI, 12 runs and two stolen bases in 94 plate appearances.

India went 1-for-3 with a grand slam, a walk and five total RBI in a 12-7 win over the Rockies.

India cut the Reds' deficit to 7-6 with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning before breaking the game open with a grand slam off Angel Chivilli in the ninth, extending the lead to 12-7. After a slow start, India's started to turn things around at the plate -- he has at least one hit in nine of his last 12 games, going 14-for-36 (.389) with 13 RBI in that span. Overall, the 27-year-old second baseman is slashing .242/.358/.347 with four homers, 24 RBI, 24 runs scored and five stolen bases through 55 games this season.

The Rangers assigned Foscue (oblique) to the organization's affiliate in the Arizona Complex League for a rehab assignment Wednesday.

The 25-year-old landed on the injured list with an oblique strain shortly after making his MLB debut April 6, but he's now been cleared for game action. Foscue will be eligible to be reinstated from the 60-day injured list next week, but he may require more games in the minors before being cleared to rejoin the big club.

Loftin is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians.

Loftin had started in six of the previous seven games and looks to have emerged as the Royals' preferred option at second base in the absence of Michael Massey (back), but Loftin will give way to Garrett Hampson at the keystone Wednesday. Since being called up from Triple-A Omaha on May 26, Loftin is hitting .261 with an RBI and a run scored.