MLB Player News

Farmer will start at shortstop and lead off in Wednesday's game at Atlanta.

With the Reds' normal table setter, Jonathan India, getting the day off Wednesday, Farmer will slot in atop the order for the first time all season. After largely struggling to provide an impact in an everyday role at shortstop for much of 2021, Farmer has settled into a groove at the plate since the All-Star break. Through 23 second-half contests, Farmer is slashing .380/.424/.609 with three home runs, 14 runs and 12 RBI.

Devers will start at third base and bat cleanup Wednesday against the Rays.

Devers has most commonly hit out the No. 5 spot, but he'll stick as Boston's cleanup hitter for the fifth game in a row after going 4-for-14 across the prior four contests. Boston's lineup configuration should change slightly when Alex Verdugo (personal) is reinstated from the paternity list and when Kyle Schwarber (hamstring/groin) returns from the 10-day injured list, but Devers will be locked into the heart of the batting order regardless.

Muncy went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 5-0 win over the Phillies.

Muncy's 23rd long ball of the season came in the ninth inning off reliever Mauricio Llovera and helped put an end to the Phillies' eight-game winning streak. He'll be back in the lineup for the middle game of the series Wednesday, manning first base and batting second, according to Eric Stephen of SBNation.com.

Sosa went 2-for-4 with a triple in a win over the Pirates on Tuesday.

Sosa is now 5-for-11 with Tuesday's triple and a home run over his last three starts. The 25-year-old's .254 average and .328 on-base percentage are serviceable, but the irregularity in his playing time helps cap his fantasy value overall.

Rivera will start at third base and bat eighth Wednesday against the Yankees.

The Royals' decision to demote Edward Olivares to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday looks like it will clear the way for Rivera to take on an everyday role at third base, while Hunter Dozier will cover Olivares' spot in right field. While starting in six of the Royals' last seven games, Rivera has gone 5-for-21 with two runs and two RBI.

Newman isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Cardinals, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Newman will be out of the lineup for the third time in four games after he went 0-for-3 in Tuesday's loss. Hoy Park will shift to shortstop while Anthony Alford enters the lineup in left field, and Newman looks like he could be the odd man out while the Pirates remain interested in evaluating Park and Alford down the stretch.

Urshela (hamstring) has been shut down recently after he received a platelet-rich plasma injection, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Urshela was hoping to return from the injured list Wednesday, but he recently suffered a setback. Manager Aaron Boone is hopeful that the third baseman will be able to ramp up his workload Wednesday. However, Boone also said that it's too early to tell when Urshela will return to game action.

Moncada is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins.

Moncada, Tim Anderson and Luis Robert will all receive breathers on getaway day so that the White Sox can all of their key regulars fresh for Thursday's highly anticipated "Field of Dreams" matchup with the Yankees in Dyersville, Iowa. Jake Lamb will pick up a rare start at third base in place of Moncada, who is slashing an underwhelming .200/.269/.411 with five home runs and one stolen base in 25 games since the All-Star break.

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

After a three-game absence due to a sore hamstring, Donaldson rejoined the Minnesota lineup as a designated hitter in Tuesday's 4-3 win, finishing 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. The Twins haven't indicated that Donaldson suffered a setback with the hamstring in his return to action, so he may just be receiving some rest Wednesday in a day game after a night game. Brent Rooker will serve as the Twins' DH in the series finale, while Luis Arraez fills in at third base.

Astudillo went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in a victory over the White Sox on Tuesday.

Minnesota was trailing by a run entering the sixth inning, but Astudillo turned things around with a two-run shot to left field that gave the Twins a 4-3 lead. That ended up being the final score, as neither team was able to cross the plate over the remainder of the game. Astudillo entered the contest with only one hit in nine at-bats in August, and he has been riding the pine at the start of games more often than not lately.