MLB Player News

Alexander (hand) hit in the batting cage Friday, per MLB.com.

It's the first time Alexander has done so amid his recovery from a fractured left hand. The utility player has been on the injured list since mid-July, but he appears to be trending toward a return to the Orioles at some point in late August or early September.

Hill (oblique) was activated from the 7-day injured list at Double-A Akron on Friday.

Hill hasn't played since June 24 due to a strained oblique. The 22-year-old has slashed .257/.390/.524 with 11 home runs, 45 RBI, 43 runs scored, nine stolen bases and a 40:49 BB:K across 237 plate appearances between High-A Lake County and Akron this season.

Ramirez is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Padres.

Angel Genao is starting at third base and batting sixth, while Steven Kwan is leading off as the Guardians' designated hitter. In 17 games since returning from the injured list, Ramirez is slashing .197/.333/.197 with zero extra-base hits, four RBI, 11 runs scored, five stolen bases and a 12:3 BB:K across 75 plate appearances.

Garcia (hand) went 0-for-1 with a run scored and three walks with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Thursday.

Garcia resumed his rehab assignment from a strained muscle in his left hand, though he didn't get much chance to hit, drawing three walks while committing a pair of errors across a full game at third base. The 26-year-old was pulled off his assignment after just one appearance July 28 due to renewed discomfort, but after receiving a cortisone injection and participating in some baseball activity, he was given the green light to return to game action. It's unclear how long the Royals plan to keep Garcia in the minors, but provided his hand remains pain-free coming out of Thursday's game, he's tracking toward a return to the big-league roster in the not-too-distant future. Before landing on the injured list, Garcia slashed .261/.320/.373 with three home runs, 30 RBI, 32 runs and five stolen bases across 69 contests.

Guzman went 3-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 7-0 win over the Rangers.

Guzman has seen his playing time slip a bit in the second half. Prior to Thursday, he had gone 21 games without a multi-hit effort, batting just .157 in that span. Guzman's slump has opened the door for Vaughn Grissom to get a look at third base more regularly, turning the position into a bit of a timeshare. On the year, Guzman is batting .241 with a .647 OPS, five home runs, 18 RBI, 17 runs scored, four doubles and two stolen bases over 50 contests.

Durbin went 3-for-5 with a home run and five RBI in Thursday's 7-0 win over Toronto.

Durbin broke open a pitchers' duel with an eighth-inning grand slam that put the Red Sox up 5-0 before he singled in Boston's final run in the ninth. The blast was his 12th of the season. Durbin has been a hitting machine in the second half, recording a 130 wRC+ with 21 RBI over 27 games since the All-Star break.

Okamoto went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, two runs scored and an RBI in Wednesday's win over the Red Sox.

The 30-year-old MLB rookie produced his first multi-hit performance since Aug. 3, and Okamoto's second-inning double off Ranger Suarez was his first extra-base hit in August. It's been a tough month for Okamoto, who's managed a .200/.256/.225 slash line in 12 games with two RBI and six runs, but Wednesday's effort could be a sign he's emerging from his slump.

Gelof went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 8-4 loss to the Rays.

The 26-year-old infielder got hold of an eighth-inning sinker from Michael Grove and drove it over the left-field fence at Sutter Health Park. It was Gelof's 13th homer of the year, and his second in three games since coming off the IL after recovering from a knee injury that had sidelined him since July 9. It's been a tough year for the A's, but Gelof has put together a breakout campaign when he's been healthy, slashing .280/.331/.502 in 70 contests with eight steals, 32 RBI and 46 runs.

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

The Tigers will keep Keith on the bench along with fellow left-handed hitter Zach McKinstry while southpaw Foster Griffin takes the hill for the Guardians. Gleyber Torres will get a day off from playing second base but will remain in the lineup at designated hitter while Keith exits the starting nine.

Vargas is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.

Though Vargas slugged a solo home run in Tuesday's 5-4 extra-inning loss, he's slashing just .198/.288/.396 with four long balls, 15 runs, nine RBI and one steal in 23 games since the All-Star break. Vargas had started every game since June 22, so manager Will Venable will give the 26-year-old a breather with the hope that the rest day helps ignite his bat over the remaining six and a half weeks of the season.