MLB Player News

Toro isn't starting Thursday against Oakland.

Toro started the last five games and went 2-for-17 with a double and six runs. He'll get a breather Thursday while Ty France draws the start at the hot corner and bats cleanup.

Ramirez went 0-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the White Sox.

Ramirez was one of two Guardians that failed to record a hit in the contest, but he was still productive in his one successful plate appearance. He's slashing just .231/.371/.346 through 21 games in September, though he's logged four stolen bases, two home runs, nine RBI and 12 runs scored. For the season, he's notched 18 steals in 25 attempts while adding 28 homers, 115 RBI, 84 runs scored and a .277/.356/.519 slash line through 145 games.

Suarez (finger) was able to start taking light swings Wednesday with a softer ball and regular baseballs, the Associated Press reports. "Geno feels much better," manager Scott Servais said.

In addition to Wednesday's encouraging developments, Suarez also is slated to take batting practice during the upcoming weekend series against the Royals. If all continues without setbacks, it's possible Suarez will have the chance to get some at-bats in before the conclusion of the regular season ahead of the Mariners' likely postseason run.

Rafaela was named by Baseball America as Boston's Minor League Player of the Year, Alex Speier of Baseball America reports.

Rafaela looked overmatched early in 2021 while with Single-A Salem, but Salem hitting coach Nelson Paulino worked with the him to remove a pre-swing hitch that created too much movement. The results were immediate last season, but few anticipated the breakout season Rafaela has experienced in 2022. The 22-year-old hit .299/.342/.539 with 21 homers, 10 triples, 31 doubles, 28 stolen bases, 26 walks and 113 strikeouts in 116 games split between High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland. The one-time shortstop has handled the transition to center field with aplomb, and the the 5-foot-8, 152-pounder should add more power as he matures.

Paredes went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk Wednesday against the Astros.

Paredes took Lance McCullers yard in the seventh inning to tally his 20th homer of the season. He's held a fairly regular role in the Rays' lineup since Brandon Lowe (back) has been sidelined, maintaining a .318 average with two homers, five RBI and four runs scored across his last nine starts spanning to Sept. 13. Though he's struggled to hit for a decent average, Paredes has a 127 wRC+ and .338 wOBA across 343 plate appearances on the campaign.

Moncada went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Guardians.

Moncada took Triston McKenzie deep in the fourth inning to tally his 11th homer of the season. Moncada has a disappointing season overall, though he's hitting .305 with four home runs, eight RBI and 10 runs scored in 13 starts since returning from the injured list.

Freeman is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

After starting in the final three games of the Guardians' series with the Twins that ended Monday, Freeman finds himself on the bench for the second game in a row. Both of his absences from the lineup have come against right-handed pitchers (Dylan Cease and Lance Lynn), and the righty-hitting Freeman may find himself in a de facto platoon moving forward with lefty-hitting outfielder Will Brennan, who was called up from Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday and is starting in right field.

Kreidler is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

Kreidler will sit for the second day in a row after producing an ugly .182/.255/.273 slash line over his first 52 plate appearances of his big-league career. In light of his struggles, the 24-year-old rookie may be in danger of moving into more of a part-time role over the final two weeks of the season.

Bregman isn't in the lineup Wednesday against the Rays.

Bregman was expected to get a day off Wednesday, and he'll officially be on the bench while Aledmys Diaz starts at third base and bats cleanup. Bregman should be available off the bench if needed for Wednesday's series finale in Tampa Bay.

Chapman went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, three RBI and two additional runs in Tuesday's 18-11 win over the Phillies.

Chapman owns an .821 OPS thus far in September, but a good chunk of his offensive production has come in the last four games. During that span, Chapman has collected four extra-base hits (three home runs, one double) while driving in seven and scoring seven times.