MLB Player News

Ramirez went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases and two runs scored in Friday's 10-8 win over the Pirates.

It's been a memorable month for Ramirez, as the do-it-all third baseman is batting .279 (29-for-104) with six home runs, 14 steals and 17 RBI over 28 contests in August. With his two steals Friday, he matched his career high in a season at 34, a mark he previously reached over 157 games in 2018. Ramirez is slashing a strong .276/.333/.531 with 33 homers, 104 RBI, 98 runs scored, 31 doubles and a triple over 132 contests this year, and with a full month to go, a 40-40 campaign is not out of the question.

Manager Joe Espada said that Bregman was not included in Friday's lineup against Kansas City due to elbow soreness, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Bregman missed five games in August due to swelling in his right elbow, though he had started each of the Astros' prior nine games before Friday. It's unclear if the third baseman will be available off the bench for the contest. Over the nine games since his return, Bregman has gone 9-for-36 with two solo home runs.

Smith is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Oakland.

Smith will dodge a same-handed matchup with JP Sears on Friday, giving way to Robbie Grossman at DH.

Sosa is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Mets.

After making 12 consecutive starts (eight at second base, four at third base), Sosa will take a seat Friday. Nicky Lopez will handle the keystone while Miguel Vargas plays third base.

Bregman is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against the Royals, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Bregman had started each of the last nine contests following a five-game absence with an elbow injury, but he'll be given a day of rest Friday. Mauricio Dubon will occupy the hot corner for Houston.

Devers (shoulder) is batting cleanup as the designated hitter Friday against the Tigers, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Soreness in both shoulders kept Devers out of the lineup for the past three games, but he's back in action for Friday's series opener, although without defensive responsibilities. The 27-year-old was given a rest in the midst of a 3-for-17 slump, and he has a .778 OPS across 22 games in August.

Devers (shoulders) is expected to return to the lineup Friday, MLB.com reports. "Raffy should DH [Friday], DH [on] Saturday and play the field on Sunday," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday.

Devers had been playing through discomfort in both shoulders before sitting out the last three games. It's been a recurring issue since he first tweaked his left shoulder while swinging in a game during spring training. He also hurt his right shoulder in July while diving for a grounder during a game in Colorado. It hasn't impacted his performance at the plate though, and through 517 plate appearances he's posted a career-high .940 OPS with 28 homers and 80 RBI.

Garcia went 2-for-2 with a stolen base, a walk and a run scored in Thursday's loss to the Astros.

Garcia singled and stole second in his first trip to the plate, and he was later thrown out while attempting to swipe a second bag after drawing a walk in the fifth. The third baseman has hit safely in four straight games, batting .500 (7-for-14) with three RBI, four runs and three stolen bases. Garcia has also logged multiple hits in three of his last six games.

Clement went 2-for-4 with an RBI double and a stolen base in Thursday's win over Boston.

Clement went hitless in his first two at-bats before driving home Addison Barger with a double in the top of the sixth innings to extend Toronto's lead to two runs. The shortstop would later add a single before stealing his 10th base of the season, giving him his seventh multi-hit performances this month. Clement has now driven in nine runs over his last 10 games, though he's batting just .216 (8-for-37) over that stretch.

Bregman was ejected from Thursday's game against the Royals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Bregman struck out on three pitches in the fourth inning, all of them looking. He took exception with at least one of the calls and departed the game after going 0-for-2. Shay Whitcomb took over at third base.