MLB Player News
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Brooks Lee SS | MIN
Twins' Brooks Lee: Back in lineup Sunday
Lee will start at second base and bat fifth in Sunday's game against the Rays.
The Twins sent Lee to the bench for the previous two contests, but he came up big in a reserve role Saturday, going 1-for-2 with a walk-off RBI bunt single in a 6-5 win. Lee will rejoin the starting nine for the series finale, but he'll likely need to raise his production at the plate to ensure he maintains a regular spot in the lineup over Harrison Bader, who will head to the bench after making four straight starts. Over his last seven games, Lee has gone 3-for-19 with no walks and seven strikeouts, bringing his slash line down to .272/.306/.402 for the season.
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Zach McKinstry 3B | DET
Tigers' Zach McKinstry: Retreating to bench Sunday
McKinstry is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians.
After starting each of the last seven games and going 9-for-26 with two home runs, three RBI and six runs, McKinstry will receive a breather. Javier Baez will slide over from his usual spot at shortstop to fill in for McKinstry at third base.
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Will Wagner 2B | SD
Blue Jays' Will Wagner: Sitting after four straight starts
Wagner is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.
With southpaw Tyler Anderson on the hill for the Angels, Wagner will hit the bench Sunday. The 26-year-old utility player has a clear path to playing time against right-handed pitching through the All-Star break, and Wagner had started five of the past six games. Andres Gimenez (ankle) landing on the injured list Sunday will create even more opportunities on the infield, although Davis Schneider and Leo Jimenez will also be in the mix at the keystone.
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Marcelo Mayer SS | BOS
Red Sox's Marcelo Mayer: On bench against lefty again
Mayer is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.
Mayer will stay on the bench for the second game in a row while the Nationals send another southpaw to the mound in Shinnosuke Ogasawara. Nate Eaton will replace Mayer at third base and bat leadoff.
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Jordan Westburg 2B | BAL
Orioles' Jordan Westburg: Exiting starting nine Sunday
Westburg is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta.
After missing five straight starts due to a left index finger sprain, Westburg returned to the lineup this weekend and went 4-for-8 with two home runs, three RBI and an additional run in two games. He doesn't appear to be dealing with a setback, so he's likely just getting a breather. Ramon Urias will cover third base in Westburg's stead.
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Marcelo Mayer SS | BOS
Red Sox's Marcelo Mayer: Beginning on bench Saturday
Mayer is not in the starting lineup Saturday versus Washington, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Mayer had started four straight games after coming off the bereavement list Monday, but he'll get at least a partial rest day Saturday against Nationals lefty Mitchell Parker. With Mayer out of the lineup, Nate Eaton is starting at third base and batting leadoff while Romy Gonzalez is playing second base.
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Jordan Westburg 2B | BAL
Orioles' Jordan Westburg: Goes yard in three-hit effort
Westburg went 3-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 3-2 win over Atlanta.
The 26-year-old infielder got the O's on the board when he sent a 96 mph fastball from Spencer Strider the other way over the right-fiend wall in the third inning. Westburg is attempting to play through a sprained index finger on his left hand, an injury that had limited him to just two starts and five plate appearances over Baltimore's prior 10 games, but Friday's performance is a good sign that he'll be able to manage the issue. It's been a tough year overall for Westburg on the health front, and he's suited up for only 37 contests while slashing .243/.298/.464 with eight homers, a steal, 15 RBI and 21 runs.
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Isaac Paredes 3B | HOU
Astros' Isaac Paredes: Goes yard in huge win
Paredes went 1-for-5 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Friday's 18-1 win over the Dodgers.
He took Ben Casparius' first pitch of the game over the fence in left field. Paredes has gone 10-for-31 (.323) with two homers, three RBI and five runs scored over his last seven games. The infielder has looked good out of the leadoff spot since Jeremy Pena (ribs) landed on the injured list. Paredes has a .255/.357/.468 slash line with 18 homers, 48 RBI, 46 runs scored, no stolen bases, 11 doubles and one triple through 84 contests. His steady plate discipline makes him a viable leadoff hitter, though he shouldn't be expected to show any speed while atop the lineup.
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Zach McKinstry 3B | DET
Tigers' Zach McKinstry: Knocks big homer
McKinstry went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during Friday's 2-1 win over the Guardians.
McKinstry has seen a more reliable, consistent role since the injury to Kerry Carpenter (hamstring), and he rewarded his team with what turned out to be the game-winning homer Friday. The 30-year-old McKinstry now has six home runs as part of a season in which he is slashing .289/.361/.462 with eight doubles and 26 RBI.