Kurtz's MRI on his oblique revealed that he does not have a strain, and manager Mark Kotsay said he's hopeful the first baseman will be back playing "sooner than later," Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

This should provide a big sigh of relief for both the A's and fantasy managers who roster Kurtz, as an oblique strain would have likely resulted in a stint on the IL. Instead, Kurtz should be considered day-to-day, though he's not in the lineup Saturday versus Texas. Tyler Soderstrom will likely hold down the fort at first base until Kurtz is ready to return to action.

Kurtz (oblique) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Texas.

Oblique soreness forced Kurtz to make an early exit from Friday's game, and the issue is apparently severe enough to keep him from playing Saturday as well. While the 22-year-old rookie takes a day to recover, Tyler Soderstrom will shift to first base with Carlos Cortes patrolling left field.

The Red Sox optioned Sogard to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.

Sogard was called up from Worcester on Friday and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a steal while starting at second base in a loss to Pittsburgh. However, he'll end up spending just one day with Boston before heading back down. Sogard's demotion made room on the 26-man roster for Nathaniel Lowe to be reinstated off the paternity list.

The Red Sox reinstated Lowe from the paternity list Saturday.

Lowe is back with Boston after taking two days off while on paternity leave. However, he's not starting Saturday, as Romy Gonzalez is manning first base against Pittsburgh. To make room for Lowe on the active roster, the Red Sox optioned Nick Sogard to Triple-A Worcester.

Johnston went 3-for-5 with a triple, two runs scored and an RBI in Friday's loss to the Mets.

Starting in left field and batting seventh, Johnston delivered his fourth multi-hit performance in the last nine games, a stretch in which he's batting .480 (12-for-25) with three runs and four RBI. The 28-year-old has emerged as the Marlins' preferred option in left field against right-handed pitching while still occasionally spotting in at first base or right field, a role he could fill until Kyle Stowers (oblique) gets healthy.

Gonzalez started at first base and went 3-for-4 in Friday's 4-2 loss to Pittsburgh.

Gonzalez started a second consecutive game at first base, as Nathaniel Lowe remains unavailable while on paternity leave. Gonzalez had a go-ahead, run-scoring single Thursday in Baltimore to achieve a sweep of the Orioles and then followed up with three singles off the Pirates' Paul Skenes, one of the best pitchers in the game.

Duran started at shortstop and went 0-for-4 in Friday's 5-2 win over the Athletics.

Duran got the start at short in the first game after Corey Seager underwent appendectomy surgery Thursday. Duran eventually moved to second base in the seventh inning, when Josh Smith moved from first base to short. Duran (against lefties) and Smith (righties) should share the position while Seager is on the mend.

Locklear started at first base and went 0-for-4 in Friday's 3-0 win over the Dodgers.

The news that Pavin Smith (quadriceps) landed on the 10-day injured list Friday opens the door for Locklear to see more playing time. The righty-hitting first baseman was in Friday's starting nine against a left-hander (Blake Snell), which is normal, and manager Torey Lovullo told Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports that Locklear's role will expand for him to face certain right-handers as well. Utility infielder Ildemaro Vargas, a switch hitter, may also play against righties.

Mountcastle went 3-for-5 with two doubles, four RBI and one run scored in Friday's 15-8 loss to the Giants.

Mountcastle had Robbie Ray's number, delivering all three hits over the first five innings of the game. Since returning from a Grade 2 hamstring injury, Mountcastle has gone 21-for-73 (.288) with five extra-base hits and 12 RBI over 19 contests. The first baseman has reclaimed a starting role in the lineup and is up to a .258/.294/.365 slash line with four homers, 16 doubles, 27 RBI, 26 runs scored and three stolen bases over 71 games this season.

Mayo went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 15-8 loss to the Giants.

Since his homer Aug. 15 versus the Astros, Mayo had gone just 4-for-39 (.103) with a 3:16 BB:K over 10 contests. The infielder was able to snap his power drought Friday, but he hasn't posted a multi-hit effort since Aug. 6 versus the Phillies. Mayo is up to six homers, 20 RBI, 20 runs scored, one stolen base and a .189/.268/.335 slash line over 60 contests this season. While his playing time has been steady this month, the lack of reliable production makes the 23-year-old tough to roster in redraft formats.