MLB Player News

Caminero will bat fifth and serve as the designated hitter in his major-league debut Saturday against the Blue Jays, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

Caminero was called up straight from Double-A on Friday and spent his first day on the roster watching from the bench. Whether that was a sign that we shouldn't expect to see him too often over the remainder of the season or merely an attempt to ease his transition to the highest level is not yet clear. The latter would seem to be more likely given that the Rays are confident installing him right in the middle of the order in his debut.

Angels manager Phil Nevin said Saturday that Rendon (lower leg) isn't expected to play again before the end of the season, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Rendon has been participating in baseball activities since early September as he recovers from a fractured tibia, but Nevin said Rendon hasn't progressed enough to be activated before the end of the year. Rendon will finish 2023 with a .236/.361/.318 slash line to go along with two homers and 22 RBI across 183 plate appearances.

Jung went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Friday's 8-5 win over the Mariners.

Other than an elevated strikeout rate --- seven strikeouts in 18 at-bats -- Jung hasn't missed a beat following a thumb injury that cost him six weeks. The rookie third baseman has hit safely in all four games since returning earlier this week, going 7-for-18 with a double, a home run, three RBI and four runs scored.

Mead went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 6-2 loss against the Blue Jays.

Mead hit his first career home run in the seventh inning with a 337-foot liner off Chris Bassitt. The 22-year-old rookie has struggled to see much playing time during the Rays' playoff push, as he's received only five starts and 21 plate appearances since being recalled Sept. 12. Mead is slashing .281/.359/.421 in 64 big-league plate appearances.

McKinstry isn't in Detroit's lineup Friday against Oakland.

Lefty Ken Waldichuk will start on the bump for the A's on Friday, meaning the left-handed bat of McKinstry will stay put in the Tigers' dugout to begin the game. McKinstry's absence will allow Zack Short to start at second base and bat ninth.

Diaz isn't in the Athletics' lineup Friday against Detroit.

Diaz will sit out Friday's contest after going 4-for-30 over his last 10 games. Kevin Smith will take over at third base and bat seventh.

Escobar isn't in the Angels' lineup Friday against the Twins, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Escobar broke his 0-for-13 stretch at the plate with a hit during Thursday's loss against Tampa Bay, and he'll get a breather for Friday's series opener. Michael Stefanic will start at third base and bat ninth.

The Twins placed Lewis on the 10-day injured list Friday with a left hamstring strain, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Lewis had to be taken out of Tuesday's game after tweaking his hamstring, and an MRI revealed a strain that will keep him out until at least the final day of the season, though there's no guarantee he'll be ready to play by then. Jordan Luplow will return to Minnesota to replace Lewis on the active roster.

Caminero is not in the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Blue Jays, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Caminero was promoted from Double-A Montgomery to the big leagues Friday, but he will have to wait to make his first start. Being on the bench wouldn't seem to be a great sign for his playing time outlook down the stretch, although Tampa Bay could just want to give the top prospect a day to settle in. Curtis Mead is at third base Friday and Osleivis Basabe is handling shortstop.

LeMahieu is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against the Diamondbacks.

It looks to be a routine day off after LeMahieu had started each of the previous seven contests. Jake Bauers is handling first base and Estevan Florial has been elevated to the leadoff spot.