MLB Player News

LeMahieu went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer in Thursday's victory over the Angels.

LeMahieu kicked off the scoring for the Yankees with a three-run shot to right field in the second inning. The blast was his 25th of the season -- 10 more than the career high he set last year while playing half his games in the high altitude of Colorado. LeMahieu has exceeded all expectations in his first year as a Yankee, complementing the power numbers with a .329/.377/.518 slash line, 97 RBI and 106 runs scored.

Ramirez (hand) is ramping up activity in an effort to return before the end of the regular season, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

He took batting practice from both sides of the plate Thursday and has been taking infield practice this week. The original timeline was an early-October return, but it sounds like Ramirez is doing everything in his power to beat that estimate.

Astudillo is not in Thursday's lineup against the Royals.

Astudillo is hitting .243 with zero home runs, two walks, two strikeouts and two hit-by-pitches in 13 games this month. Marwin Gonzalez will start at first base and hit sixth.

Candelario (triceps) is starting at first base and hitting fifth Thursday against the Indians.

He appeared off the bench as a defensive replacement Wednesday but did not get an at-bat. Candelario is 7-for-37 (.189) with zero home runs in 12 games this month.

Moncada went 2-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Twins.

Moncada continues to mash during September. The two-hit night extends his hitting streak to seven games (16-for-33) with multiple hits in six of those contests. Going back further, the young third baseman has reached base safely in 16 straight (30-for-65, .507 OBP). Moncada is putting a bow on what has been a promising season, due in part to a more aggressive plate approach.

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

Devers took Jeff Samardzija deep for his 30th home run of the season. It was his first long ball since Sept. 3 and only his third in the last month. Still, Devers is enjoying a breakout campaign, highlighted by an impressive .310/362/.557 line but also supplemented by 119 runs scored and 108 RBI across 146 games.

Ramirez (hand) hit in the batting cage Wednesday, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Ramirez also took infield practice, Chris Assenheimer of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports. He's not expected to be back by the end of the regular season after fracturing his hand in late August but still has a shot to return during the playoffs.

Candelario (triceps) will sit Wednesday against Cleveland.

Candelario was scratched Tuesday after getting hit in the triceps the day before. He'll sit for a second day in a row Wednesday, with Brandon Dixon starting at first base.

Candelario was scratched from the lineup Tuesday against Cleveland after getting hit in the triceps Monday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The severity of the injury is not yet clear, but he'll miss at least one start. Ronny Rodriguez enters the lineup at first base.

Astudillo remains on the bench Tuesday against the White Sox.

Astudillo started fairly frequently earlier in the month, but the return of Marwin Gonzalez from an abdominal injury appears to have cut into his playing time. Gonzalez starts at first base for the second straight game.