MLB Player News

Chapman went 2-for-3 with two home runs, three RBI and a walk in Thursday's 5-3 win against the Tigers.

Chapman gave Toronto its first lead with a two-run shot to left field in the fourth inning, and he tacked on a solo shot in the sixth. The third baseman extended his hitting streak to seven games with the pair of long balls, and he's hitting a robust .520 (13-for-25) with three homers, nine RBI and nine runs over that stretch. Chapman is still batting just .245 on the season, but he's posted a .320 mark through 22 games in July.

Duffy (back) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Duffy appeared to be closing in on a return, as he began baseball activities Friday. However, he now won't be eligible to return until at least late August. David Fletcher was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Devers (hamstring) is on pace to return from the 10-day injured list when first eligible Tuesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

After being deactivated last weekend due to right hamstring inflammation, Devers was cleared to take swings in the batting cage a few days later. Perhaps more significantly, Cora relayed that Devers fielded grounders Thursday, which suggests the hamstring issue doesn't hamper him when he plays third base. So long as Devers can run the bases without any discomfort in the next few days, he looks as though he'll be ready to check back into Boston's lineup Tuesday.

LeMahieu isn't starting Thursday against the Royals.

LeMahieu is getting a breather after he hit .273 with a double, three runs, two RBI, three walks and three strikeouts over the last five games. Anthony Rizzo is starting at first base while Aaron Hicks starts in center field.

Bride went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a run in a win over the Astros on Wednesday.

Two games into his return from the injured list, Bride stole his first base of the season and contributed a second consecutive 1-for-3, one-run effort in the process. The rookie never recorded more than three stolen bases at any minor-league stop, however, so fantasy managers should keep expectations tempered in that regard.

Garcia was called up from Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Thursday.

Garcia will once again jump past Triple-A to join the Royals roster for the second time this year. During his previous abbreviated stint with the big club shortly before the All-Star break, Garcia appeared in only one game and struck out in his lone at-bat. Though the 22-year-old infielder is regarded as one of the Royals' top prospects, he's unlikely to see much playing time while he's up with the big club and looks to be little more than an insurance option behind fellow rookie Bobby Witt, who is day-to-day with a hamstring injury.

Mead left a game for Triple-A Durham on July 23 with an undisclosed injury, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He has not been placed on the injured list, so perhaps it is a day-to-day issue. Mead, one of the best hitters in all the minors, is slashing .293/.387/.534 with 13 home runs, a 17.9 K% and a 10.9 BB% in 72 games as a 21-year-old at Double-A and Triple-A.

Candelario went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Wednesday's win over the Padres.

Candelario has been locked in lately, as he's now batting .394 across his last 10 games with four home runs and 10 RBI. It looked like the 28-year-old was losing his grip on everyday duties at third base heading into the All-Star break, but he's started off the second half strongly and has likely enhanced his job security moving forward.

Devers (hamstring) took some swings in the batting cage at Fenway Park on Wednesday, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Devers didn't appear to be hindered at the plate by his inflamed right hamstring, but his ability to run the bases and move laterally at third base will offer better gauges of his health once he's cleared for full baseball activities. The 25-year-old All-Star is eligible to return from the 10-day injured list as soon as Tuesday in Houston.

Burger (hand) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Burger was expected to begin a rehab assignment in mid-July but was delayed by a week and a half due to an illness. The 26-year-old has been on the injured list since July 6 due to a bone bruise in his right hand, but he seems to be on track to be activated this weekend or sometime next week.