MLB Player News

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said after Saturday's 3-2 win over the Dodgers that Contreras (head) is on track to return to the lineup for Sunday's series finale, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Contreras was struck in the head by a pitch during Friday's series opener. He was removed from that game and was held out of Saturday's lineup as a precaution, but since he's not exhibiting any symptoms of a concussion, Contreras looks poised to start at first base Sunday. Nick Sogard filled in for Contreras on Saturday and went 0-for-2 with a walk.

Rice isn't in the Yankees' starting lineup versus the Cubs on Saturday.

According to Zach Sweet of MLB.com, it's just a planned day off for Rice, as manager Aaron Boone said he's been looking for a good time to give the star slugger a rest. Amed Rosario is getting a turn at DH on Saturday with Rice out of the lineup.

Kurtz isn't in the Athletics' starting lineup Saturday versus Detroit.

Kurtz was hit in the forearm by a pitch Wednesday and underwent an MRI, but he was back in the lineup both Thursday and Friday. At this point, it's unclear if his exit from the starting nine Saturday is related to that issue or if he's simply getting a day off. It's worth noting that the star first baseman slumped for most of July, slashing a meager .028/.125/.111 with just one home run and 20 strikeouts over his final 12 games of the month. Jonah Heim is starting at first base in Kurtz's stead Saturday.

Contreras, who was hit in the head by a pitch and had to exit Friday's game, isn't in Boston's starting lineup versus the Dodgers on Saturday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Contreras initially stayed in the game to run the bases following Friday's plunking, but he was removed on defense in the following frame. He was placed in concussion protocol due to the hit-by-pitch and was reportedly "doing well," per Healey, but he's nonetheless not starting Saturday. In his place, Nick Sogard is in the lineup at first base.

Garcia (knee) will start at first base and bat second Saturday against Atlanta.

Garcia was forced to make an early exit from Friday's game due to right knee soreness, but the injury won't cause him to miss any starts. The 26-year-old is enjoying a career season and hasn't slowed down in the second half, slashing .280/.294/.600 with three homers, eight RBI and three runs scored in 13 games since the break.

Burger isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Houston.

Burger has notched a base hit in four of his last five games but will grab a seat on the bench to begin Saturday's contest. Joc Pederson will pick up a start at first base as a result, moving Brandon Nimmo into the DH spot and opening up right field for Alejandro Osuna.

The Pirates placed O'Hearn on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a left quad strain, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

O'Hearn had to be helped off the field Friday after tweaking his quad while running to first base, and he's expected to remain on the shelf for roughly 6-to-8 weeks after being diagnosed with a strain. His initial timeline leaves room for him to return during the final weeks of the regular season, but the Pirates could elect to keep him out for the rest of the year depending on where they sit in the race for a postseason berth. Until then, Jacob Gonzalez figures to see more time at first base, while Rafael Flores (concussion) will come off the IL to fill the open roster spot.

Chaparro went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Friday's loss to Atlanta.

The 27-year-old replaced Luis Garcia (knee) in the seventh inning and took Elieser Hernandez deep in the ninth. Chaparro is up to six homers in the majors this season, and five of them have come in 10 games since the All-Star break, a stretch in which he's batting .360 (9-for-25) with two doubles, eight runs and 13 RBI. Garcia's name was already showing up in trade rumors, and if he's removed from the picture at first base either due to injury or being dealt, Chaparro could get more consistent playing time over the final weeks of the season.

Bauers went 2-for-4 with three-run homer and an additional run scored in Friday's victory over the Angels.

The 30-year-old broke the game open during the fifth inning with a three-run blast to right field that doubled Milwaukee's lead to 6-0. The homer ends a 13-game power drought for Bauers, who had just two extra-base hits, three steals, one RBI and eight runs during that span. He continued his breakout campaign in July, finishing the month with a .262/.364/.476 slash line, four home runs, 13 RBI and 16 runs in 25 contests.

Guerrero went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Friday's win over the Cardinals.

With the Blue Jays down 1-0, Guerrero led off the sixth inning with a line-drive rocket off the wall in left-center field that left his bat at 112.4 mph. The 27-year-old slugger sat out Wednesday's game due to a sore hamstring, but after Thursday's off day he appears to be fully recovered. It's been a tough campaign for Guerrero, who is stuck in a 14-game homer drought and has just six long balls on the year, but Friday's hard contact offers some hope he might be able to close out the season on a high note.