MLB Player News
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Orelvis Martinez 2B | WAS
Blue Jays' Orelvis Martinez: Returns from suspension, optioned
The Blue Jays reinstated Martinez from his 80-game suspension Monday and optioned him to the rookie-level Florida Complex League.
Martinez was handed an 80-game ban in June for violating MLB's performance-enhancing drugs policy and began a rehab assignment Sept. 6 at Triple-A Buffalo. With Buffalo's season ending Sunday and the Blue Jays not eager to open up a spot for him on the active roster for the final week of the season, Martinez will head to Toronto's spring training complex in Florida for additional work. Despite the suspension presenting a bump in the road in his development, the 22-year-old performed well in 74 games at Triple-A Buffalo this season, batting .267 with 17 home runs and 49 RBI. Martinez should get every opportunity in the spring to compete for a spot on Toronto's Opening Day roster.
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Romy Gonzalez DH | BOS
Red Sox's Romy Gonzalez: Riding pine Monday
Gonzalez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
After Rafael Devers suffered a right shoulder injury Friday before landing on the injured list a day later, Gonzalez picked up each of the ensuing three starts at third base, going 3-for-10 with a home run, a stolen base and five RBI across those contests. Though he'll give way to Nick Sogard at the hot corner Monday, Gonzalez still looks to be the Red Sox's preferred option at the position entering the final week of the season.
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Richard Palacios 2B | TB
Rays' Richie Palacios: Returns from injured list
The Rays activated Palacios (knee) from the 10-day injured list Monday.
Palacios has been sidelined since early August with a right knee sprain but has been cleared to return after playing five rehab games with Triple-A Durham. The 27-year-old could see a few starts in the final week between second base and the outfield.
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Jose Altuve 2B | HOU
Astros' Jose Altuve: Reaches 20 homers
Altuve went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and two runs scored Sunday against the Angels.
Altuve led off the fifth inning with a solo home run to give him 20 homers on the year. This marks the first season that he's managed to record both 20 long balls and 20 stolen bases since 2017, and he's also maintained an impressive .295 average with 92 runs scored across 669 plate appearances.
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Brandon Lowe 2B | PIT
Rays' Brandon Lowe: Tallies 20th homer
Lowe went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored Sunday against the Blue Jays.
Lowe has had an all-or-nothing approach at the plate, as he smacked his fourth homer in his last 13 games Sunday. On the other hand, he also has a 29.2 percent strikeout rate in that span -- including three games with multiple strikeouts. Overall, Lowe has managed to record 20 home runs for the second consecutive season despite appearing in only 102 games.
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Gleyber Torres 2B | DET
Yankees' Gleyber Torres: Knocks 15th homer
Torres went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Athletics.
Torres logged multiple hits for the fourth time in his last seven games. He's up to 15 homers this year, including three in 20 contests in September. The second baseman has added a .254/.328/.374 slash line, 62 RBI, 76 runs scored, 23 doubles and four stolen bases through 149 games while seeing steady time as New York's leadoff hitter over the last month-plus.
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Nicky Lopez 2B | TEX
White Sox's Nicky Lopez: Sitting against righty
Lopez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.
After sitting against lefty Martin Perez on Saturday, the lefty-hitting Lopez will bow out of the lineup against a righty (Yu Darvish) in the series finale. Jacob Amaya will pick up a second straight start at shortstop in place of Lopez, while Miguel Vargas assumes Lopez's usual spot atop the batting order.
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Adam Frazier 2B | LAA
Royals' Adam Frazier: Sitting against southpaw
Frazier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.
With a lefty (Blake Snell) on the bump for the Giants, the lefty-hitting Frazier will take a seat. Frazier will give way in right field to Hunter Renfroe, with the two having seemingly settled into a platoon at the position of late.
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Andres Gimenez SS | TOR
Guardians' Andres Gimenez: Sitting Sunday
Gimenez is not in Sunday's lineup against the Cardinals.
Gimenez is 8-for-16 with one home run, two doubles and a steal in his last four games. Daniel Schneemann will start at the keystone and bat second against righty Andre Pallante.
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Brooks Baldwin SS | CHW
White Sox's Brooks Baldwin: Could resume hitting this week
Baldwin (wrist) could resume on-field hitting this week but is unsure he'll make it back before the end of the season, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
The right wrist sprain that sent Baldwin to the 10-day injured list earlier this month has improved, but he might run out of time before he's ready to return to the White Sox's active roster. The rookie infielder has slashed .211/.250/.316 in 33 games for Chicago this season.