MLB Player News

Gurriel (knee) isn't expected to play Thursday's game after exiting Wednesday's contest with knee soreness, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

X-rays on Gurriel's knee came back negative, so he doesn't appear to be dealing with anything overly serious, but the Astros will still play it safe with him and rest him for Thursday's series finale with an off day on tap Friday. The hope is that he'll be ready for at least one game of Saturday's doubleheader after a couple days of rest. Marwin Gonzalez should see the bulk of time at first base in his absence.

Gurriel was removed from Wednesday's game against the Rangers with right knee soreness, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Gurriel looked to injure himself while running the bases in the second inning, and although he initially stayed in the game, the issue was noticeably bothering him and eventually ended his night after five innings. The severity of his injury remains unclear at this point; consider him day-to-day until he is further evaluated Thursday.

Gurriel was removed from Wednesday's game against the Rangers with an apparent injury, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Gurriel appeared to hurt himself while running the bases in the second inning, and while he was initially able to stay in the game, he eventually limped off in the top of the fifth inning. The specifics of the injury have yet to be revealed, but more should be known following the conclusion of Wednesday's contest. Gurriel was 1-for-2 before J.D. Davis came on to replace him.

Joseph is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against Atlanta, Stephen Gross of The Morning Call reports.

Joseph will retreat to the bench for the second time in the past three games. He went 1-for-4 with one strikeout during Game 1, and will take a seat in favor of Rhys Hoskins at first base.

Freeman went 2-for-5 with a double, a two-run homer and two runs scored in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Phillies.

Freeman's long ball off starter Jerad Eickhoff made it 3-0 before the right-hander had even recorded an out. His two-extra base hits here have the soon-to-be 28-year-old slugger up to 49 in 86 games this year. Freeman missed a large chunk of time with a wrist injury, but he's been terrific when healthy with a .319/.415/.616 line.

Goldschmidt went 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the Dodgers.

Goldschmidt reached base in the first inning on an infield line drive off Dodgers starter Rich Hill and supplied the decisive run with his solo shot in the fifth inning. It was the third long ball in four contests for Goldschmidt, leaving him just four shy of his career-best total of 36 home runs with 30 games left to play.

Olson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 8-2 loss to the Angels.

The rookie provided the second of two second-inning homers off Angels starter Troy Scribner, launching a 382-foot shot to right. It was the second round tripper in as many games for Olson, who's blasted six overall since returning to the big-league club from Triple-A Nashville on Aug. 8. Factoring in Tuesday's production, Olson sports a .309/.367/.636 line in the 60 plate appearances he's logged in his current Athletics stint.

Diaz will bat cleanup and serve as the Indians' designated hitter in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Yankees.

He'll serve as a direct replacement in the lineup for Edwin Encarnacion, who will be rested for the matinee after struggling at the plate for the past two weeks. Encarnacion should be back in the starting nine for the nightcap, but Diaz will carry some appeal in DFS contests for the early game due to the favorable slotting in the order between Jose Ramirez and Jay Bruce. The right-handed Diaz will also get a cushy matchup against a struggling lefty Jaime Garcia, who has turned in a 5.95 ERA and 1.78 WHIP over his four starts since joining the Yankees.

Cabrera went 2-for-4 with a walk, a double, a run scored and two RBI in Tuesday's loss to the Reds.

He's now 6-for-15 over his last four starts with a homer and six RBI. It doesn't look like Cabrera will be joining a playoff contender on a waiver deal, but the veteran could still be reduced to a utility role on the rebuilding Mets in September if the club elects to give Gavin Cecchini more time at second base.

Cron went 2-for-3 with a pair of home runs and four RBI in an 8-2 win over Oakland on Tuesday.

Cron is slashing a healthy .310/.381/.609 with seven homers and 18 RBI since taking over primary first-base duties at the beginning of August. Both he and Luis Valbuena have been mashing the ball since Yunel Escobar (oblique) went on the disabled list, so manager Mike Scioscia will have a tough decision to make regarding who will sit when his regular third baseman returns later this week. It is possible that the two sluggers will resume their platoon at first base, a move that would certainly put a dent in the right-handed Cron's playing time. Until that time comes, fantasy owners can continue to enjoy the 27-year-old's power output.