MLB Player News

Okamoto isn't starting Saturday against the Phillies.

Okamoto is out of the lineup for the first time since July 28 after going 0-for-5 with a pair of strikeouts Friday and batting just 2-for-18 with nine punchouts over his previous four contests, mainly while covering first base as Vladimir Guerrero dealt with a hamstring issue. Guerrero will return to action Saturday, while Josh Smith makes another start at the hot corner.

Ramirez isn't starting for Cleveland versus the White Sox on Saturday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Ramirez didn't start Tuesday or Wednesday due to a sore left hand, but he returned to the lineup Thursday and Friday, going 2-for-7 with two walks, four runs and a stolen base over the pair of contests. It's not immediately clear if his absence Saturday is due to continued soreness or if it's just a rest day. Angel Genao is starting at third base in Ramirez's stead, while Chase DeLauter is serving as the DH.

Durbin went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Friday's 13-1 win over the Athletics.

Durbin drove in one run on a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning before closing out the scoring with an RBI double an inning later. The third baseman extended hit and RBI streaks to five games, during which he's gone 8-for-20 with two doubles, a home run and nine RBI.

Smith went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, two additional runs scored and a stolen base in Friday's 5-4 win over the Phillies.

Getting the start at third base while Kazuma Okamoto covered first for Vladimir Guerrero (hamstring), Smith collected his first hits in four games as a member of the Blue Jays, including an eighth-inning long ball off Caleb Kilian. It's been a disappointing season for the 29-year-old utility player, but a fresh start may be just what he needs after being acquired from the Rangers at the trade deadline. Smith will likely continue seeing action against right-handed pitching at the hot corner while Guerrero is sidelined.

Genao started at second base and went 0-for-4 in Friday's 8-2 win over the White Sox.

The switch-hitting Genao got the start against left-hander Noah Schultz, replacing Travis Bazzana at the keystone. Bazzana, who has struggled against left-handed pitching (.537 OPS) in the majors, may lose opportunities against southpaws going forward, which should benefit Genao.

Ramirez went 1-for-4 with two runs scored, a walk and a stolen base in Friday's 8-2 win over the White Sox.

Ramirez recorded his second consecutive game with multiple runs scored Friday. The 33-year-old swiped his 28th bag of the season in the first inning and then scored on a two-run single by Angel Martinez. On the campaign, the switch-hitting Ramirez has slashed .234/.334/.386 with 10 home runs, 35 RBI, 28 stolen bases and 52 runs over 369 plate appearances.

Alexander played catch Friday for the first time since sustaining a fractured left hand before the All-Star break, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Alexander told reporters after Friday's session that he's hoping to progress to a hitting program next week when the Orioles are in Minnesota for a three-game series against the Twins. Baltimore should have a better sense of Alexander's recovery timeline once he's cleared to take the next step in his recovery. He was in the midst of a strong 2026 season prior to his injury with an .807 OPS, nine steals (in 12 attempts), four home runs and 29 RBI over 244 plate appearances.

Durbin went 3-for-6 with a walk, a double, an RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 12-11 extra-innings win over the White Sox.

Durbin's walk-off single in the bottom of the 13th inning plated Nick Sogard to finish off a wild affair at Fenway Park. The Red Sox tied the game in the ninth inning to set up extra frames, and then tied it again in the 10th, 11th and 12th before finally winning it. Durbin's wielding a hot bat, having gone 16-for-41 (.390) with three doubles, a home run and seven RBI over the last 11 games.

Ramirez started at third base and went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in Thursday's 13-6 loss to the Mets.

Ramirez returned to action after missing two games due to a sore left hand. There was some concern about the injury, which is the same hand that was operated on in June, but it looks like the Guardians' star has bounced back quickly.

Donovan is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Tigers.

Donovan returned from a nearly three-month long absence this week, going 1-for-7 at the plate in the first two games of the series. The Tigers are starting southpaw Framber Valdez in the series finale, but the left-handed-hitting Donovan not being in the lineup could be more about easing him back into action following a long layoff. Leo Rivas is handling third base in Donovan's stead.