MLB Player News

Kurtz (forearm) will start at first base and bat leadoff Thursday against the Red Sox.

Kurtz made an early exit from Wednesday's contest after taking a pitch off his forearm, but he's been cleared to return to the starting nine after MRI results came back clean Thursday. The 23-year-old slugger owns an .890 OPS through 426 plate appearances on the season, but he's gone just 1-for-12 with a three-run homer and seven strikeouts since returning from the injured list Saturday.

Clemens went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in Thursday's 4-3 victory over the Royals.

Down to his final strike, Clemens launched a Matt Strahm slider over the right-field fence for a grand slam, giving the Twins an improbable 4-3 victory. It was Clemens' 19th homer of the season, matching his career high, and his fifth off a left-handed pitcher. The 30-year-old, who got the start in right field Thursday, has gone 10-for-33 (.303) over his last eight games, boosting his slash line to .244/.300/.493 across 382 plate appearances this year with 53 RBI, 51 runs scored and seven stolen bases.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Wednesday that Kurtz will undergo an MRI on Thursday after X-rays on his left forearm were "kind of unclear," Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Kurtz was forced to depart Wednesday's contest versus the Red Sox after being struck on the forearm by a Patrick Sandoval pitch. The Athletics should offer an update on the star first baseman's status later Thursday. Kurtz just returned from the injured list less than a week ago after missing time with a thumb injury.

Murakami went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and three runs scored Wednesday against the Yankees.

Murakami delivered a clutch home run in the eighth inning to tie the game at 4-4. He also scored a game-tying run in the 11th frame. After starting slowly following his return from the injured list in mid-July, Murakami is now in the midst of a six-game hitting streak, during which he's gone 8-for-24 with three home runs, seven RBI and eight runs scored.

Manzardo went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in a 6-1 win over the Reds on Wednesday.

Manzardo reached base safely three times in Wednesday's game as he continues his mini power surge over his last seven games. In those games, Manzardo has three homers and eight RBI to go along with a .714 slugging percentage, but he is struggling overall on the season with a .154 average (4-for-26) and 12 strikeouts since the break and is batting just .210 for the season.

Kurtz was removed from Wednesday's game against the Red Sox after getting hit on the forearm by a pitch, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Kurtz initially remained in the game after taking a 95-mph sinker off his left arm in the first inning, but he was replaced in the field at the start of the second frame. The A's have officially diagnosed him with a contusion, per Gallegos, which suggests that Kurtz managed to escape the incident without suffering a fracture. Jeff McNeil entered the game as Kurtz's replacement at first base and would be the favorite to start if the latter needs to miss time.

Torkelson went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 10-9, extra-innings loss to the Orioles.

After the Tigers blew a 7-0 lead in what could end up being Tarik Skubal's final start for the team, Torkelson kept his squad alive by taking Rico Garcia deep in the 11th inning to tie the game at 9-9 before the O's eventually prevailed. It was Torkelson's 20th homer of the season and his fourth in 13 games since the All-Star break, a stretch in which he's batting .222 (10-for-45) with eight runs and 11 RBI.

The Royals placed Pasquantino on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to right wrist soreness.

Pasquantino will head to the IL for the second time this season due to an injury related to his right hand, as he previously underwent surgery June 14 to remove a fractured hamate bone. The 28-year-old doesn't appear to be dealing with as serious of an injury this time around, but he'll be unavailable until at least Aug. 8 while he waits for his wrist to heal. Salvador Perez and Jac Caglianone will likely serve as the main replacements at first base for Pasquantino in the short term, and Nick Loftin could become an option at the position when third baseman Maikel Garcia (hand) completes his rehab assignment and returns from the 10-day IL.

Pasquantino (hand) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins.

Pasquantino was lifted in the ninth inning of Tuesday's 3-2 loss after dealing with soreness in his right hand, the same one he had surgery on in mid-June to address a hamate fracture. Per MLB.com, the Royals planned to evaluate Pasquantino further Wednesday, but it's not yet clear if he'll need to miss more than one start. Salvador Perez will fill in for Pasquantino at first base.

Guerrero (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Nationals.

Guerrero exited Tuesday's 8-6 loss in the fourth inning due to right hamstring tightness, and with the Blue Jays wrapping up their series in Washington with a day game after a night game, it's no surprise he'll be on the bench. On a positive note, manager John Schneider told Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca that Guerrero is "feeling better" compared to Tuesday and is "probably available to pinch hit," if needed. With a team off day looming Thursday, the Blue Jays may prefer to stay away from Guerrero on Wednesday with the hope that he's ready to return to the lineup in Friday's series opener against the Cardinals.