MLB Player News

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that Canha is "very available" for Thursday's game against the Guardians, despite the fact that he's been contending with left hip discomfort of late, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports. "It's not a punishment at all, it's [how] these other guys are swinging the bat," Hinch said of Canha's status. "I think Mark's best contribution today will be off the bench."

Canha is out of the lineup Thursday for a third straight game, and while the hip issue initially looked to be at least part of the reason why he was on the bench, Hinch's comments seemed to suggest that it's more of a result of Canha's poor performance of late. Heading into Thursday's contest, Canha is hitting just .098/.203/.118 with one extra-base hit over his last 15 games, though it's unclear to what extent playing through the hip injury might have factored into his struggles. Regardless, Zach McKinstry has been the main beneficiary of Canha's slump, as the lefty-hitting McKinstry will stay in the lineup for a fifth straight game. The two could end up being deployed in a de facto platoon, making the right-handed-hitting Canha a candidate to re-enter the lineup Friday and Saturday, when the Tigers are tentatively scheduled to face Dodgers lefties Justin Wrobleski and James Paxton.

Mountcastle went 3-for-4 in Wednesday's 4-0 loss to the Cubs.

Mountcastle has gone 6-for-24 (.250) over six games in July, a continuation of his performance from June, when he batted .248 across 28 contests. It's a bit of a slump for the first baseman, but not one that has cost him playing time, though he has dropped in the order versus right-handers. He's slashing .272/.314/.454 with 12 home runs, 42 RBI, 44 runs scored, 21 doubles and two stolen bases across 84 games this season.

Naylor is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Tigers.

Naylor had started in 13 straight contests dating back to June 27, so the Guardians will give the slugger a breather in the day game after a night game. David Fry checks in at first base in place of Naylor.

Canha said Wednesday that he's still contending with left hip discomfort, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

The hip issue helps explain why Canha will be out of the lineup for a third straight game Thursday against the Guardians, though the 35-year-old likely would have continued to play through the injury had he been performing better at the plate. Over his last 15 games, Canha is slashing a miserable .098/.203/.118 with one extra-base hit (a double). The injury and some bad luck may be contributing to Canha's recent struggles, as he's upheld strong walk (10.2 percent) and strikeout rates (11.9 percent) over those 15 games but has a .111 BABIP. Zach McKinstry has benefited the most from added playing time this week, but Canha could eventually settle back into a near-everyday role once the injury is fully behind him.

Canha is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Guardians, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Parker Meadows' (hamstring) move to the injured list Monday hasn't seemed to help Canha from a playing-time perspective. The 35-year-old will hit the bench for the third day in a row while he's slashed an ugly .098/.203/.118 over his last 15 games. Rather than Canha, utility man Zach McKinstry seems to be the main beneficiary of Meadows' absence, as McKinstry has now started at either third base or shortstop in five straight contests.

Soderstrom is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.

Tyler Nevin will draw the start at first base while Soderstrom heads to the bench for the second time in four games. The 22-year-old has fallen into a rut at the plate over his last 10 contests, going 6-for-37 (.162 average) with a home run and three RBI.

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

Even though he had gotten on base in each of his last four starts, Canha is still slashing a dismal .098/.203/.118 dating back to June 19. The extended slump at the plate looks like it will cost Canha some playing time, as he'll hit the bench against a right-handed pitcher for the second day in a row.

Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Athletics, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Southpaw JP Sears is on the hill for Oakland, so the lefty-hitting Smith will hit the bench Wednesday. The right-handed-hitting Romy Gonzalez will step in for Smith at first base.

Rice went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run Tuesday in a loss to the Rays.

Rice brought New York to within a run with his two-run shot in the seventh frame, but the team was unable to score again. The rookie first baseman continues to thrive in the majors, as he's slashing .267/.348/.567 with five home runs, three doubles, nine runs and 14 RBI over just 19 contests covering 69 plate appearances. All five of Rice's homers and 10 of his RBI have come over his past five games.

Naylor went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run, an additional run, two walks and a stolen base in Tuesday's 9-8 extra-inning win over the Tigers.

Naylor took Kenta Maeda deep in the first inning and later added the go-ahead hit in the top of the tenth in Tuesday's win. In between, he stole his fourth base of the season, his first swipe since May 14. Naylor was recently named to his first All-Star Game on the back of a fantastic first half. The 27-year-old became the fifth player this season to reach 70 RBI, and he's added 22 homers while hitting .247/.324/.503 through 86 games.