MLB Player News

Rays manager Kevin Cash labeled Duffy as day-to-day after the third baseman developed a recurrence of back spasms Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Initially included in the Rays' lineup for their second-half opener Friday against the Marlins, Duffy was scratched a couple hours before the contest after his back stiffened up while he was driving to Tropicana Field and then flared up again in the batting cage. Duffy will presumably attempt to go through a workout Saturday morning before the Rays determine his availability for the second game of the series. Adeiny Hechavarria entered the lineup in Duffy's stead Friday, finishing 2-for-5 with an RBI.

LeMahieu will be placed on the 10-day disabled list prior to Saturday's game due to a strained oblique, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

LeMahieu was forced to exit Friday's contest before the third inning after going 0-for-2 during his first two plate appearances. Manager Bud Black noted that he's hopeful LeMahieu will not miss an extended period of time, adding that "it doesn't look like a six-week or eight-week oblique strain." The second baseman will be eligible to return against the Cardinals on July 31.

Machado went 2-for-3 with a pair of walks in his debut with the Dodgers on Friday.

Machado started at shortstop and batted second with his new club, a spot in the order which could help boost his run potential after scoring just 48 runs in 96 games with the Orioles. The 26-year-old will serve as the Dodgers' primary shortstop, but the team announced that he will also get the occasional start at third base, which could preserve his eligibility at the hot corner next season (depending on league format) after playing exclusively at short with Baltimore this year.

Arenado went 3-for-5 with two home runs, four RBI and three runs to help Colorado to an 11-10 victory over Arizona on Friday.

Arenado is currently on one of his signature tears, as this was his third multi-hit performance in a row and his fifth in his last eight games overall, a stretch that has seen him launch three more homers and drive in nine runs. There's little left to say about the dynamic third baseman at this point, other than that he's firmly entrenched as one of the safest and most consistent assets in fantasy. He looks primed for a big second half that will likely see him squarely in the conversation as an MVP candidate.

Escobar went 1-for-3 with a double, two walks and two runs in the Twins' 6-5 loss to the Royals on Friday.

It was an active day for the 29-year-old, who laced his league-leading 36th double of the season. Escobar is currently on pace for 61 two-baggers and has 52 extra-base hits through 91 games overall, part of the reason he owns a .509 slugging percentage that would easily be a career-best mark if he can maintain it the rest of the season.

LeMahieu was lifted from Friday's matchup against the Diamondbacks after suffering a "side/back" injury, Patrick Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Manager Bud Black stated LeMahieu re-injured his side/back, the same injury that kept him out July 14 against the Mariners. He'll be considered day-to-day moving forward, and he'll likely be reevaluated prior to Saturday's tilt.

Devers (shoulder) will return from the 10-day disabled list ahead of Saturday's tilt against the Tigers, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

Devers was placed on the disabled list July 12 due to shoulder inflammation, and after successfully completing a workout Friday, he'll return to action. He figures to resume his role as the starting third baseman, likely bumping Eduardo Nunez back to second base. The 21-year-old is slashing .241/.292/.424 with 14 homers and 48 RBI through 89 games this season.

Devers (shoulder) will participate in a workout Friday and could come off the 10-day DL prior to Saturday's contest, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Devers was placed on the shelf July 12 due to shoulder inflammation, so Saturday will be the first day he's eligible to return. If all goes well during his workout, he will likely be back in the starting lineup at third base for Saturday's tilt.

Vargas went 5-for-5 with a double and a stolen base Thursday for Triple-A Reno in its 5-3 win over Tacoma.

The career-best five-hit performance extended Vargas' hitting streak to 19 games, with the infielder now maintaining a .412/.474/.529 slash line in July. The 27-year-old received his first MLB action last summer but has yet to earn a promotion to the big leagues in 2018 with the Diamondbacks' top three middle infielders -- Nick Ahmed, Ketel Marte and Daniel Descalso -- all steering clear of the disabled list. So long as that trio stays healthy in the second half, Vargas likely won't receive a promotion until September.

Davis was called up from Triple-A Fresno on Friday.

As expected, Davis will join the big-league team after the Astros optioned Tyler White to the minors prior to the All-Star break. Davis will likely serve as Yulieski Gurriel's backup while also sprinkling in some time in left field. Across 15 games with Houston this year, Davis has hit .219/.375/.438 with two home runs and three RBI.