MLB Player News
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Ben Rice C | NYY
Yankees' Ben Rice: Taking seat Tuesday
Rice is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays.
The lefty-hitting Rice had started in each of the Yankees' last seven matchups with right-handed pitchers, but he'll move to the bench Tuesday as Toronto sends righty Kevin Gausman to the hill. With a 143 wRC+ over 211 plate appearances versus righties this season, Rice has been far more productive in those matchups than the right-handed-hitting Paul Goldschmidt (73 wRC+ in 231 plate appearances), but Yankees manager Aaron Boone isn't yet ready to commit to a strict platoon between the two players at first base. Goldschmidt will get the nod at first base Tuesday, and he and Rice could both be occasionally included together in the lineup against righties if Rice is used at catcher or designated hitter.
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George Springer RF | TOR
Blue Jays' George Springer: Expected to play Tuesday
Manager John Schneider said after Monday's 5-4 win over the Yankees that Springer (undisclosed) is expected to be fine for Tuesday's game against New York, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Springer was injured on a slide into third base in the bottom of the sixth inning Monday and was promptly removed from the game in the top of the seventh, but it sounds like it was more for precautionary reasons. Springer has avoided a serious injury and isn't expected to require any further testing. The veteran outfielder is slashing .263/.360/.459 with 11 home runs, 40 RBI, 42 runs scored and nine stolen bases across 305 plate appearances this season.
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George Springer RF | TOR
Blue Jays' George Springer: Exits with apparent injury
Springer (undisclosed) was removed from Monday night's game against the Yankees with an apparent injury, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Springer was thrown out at third base on an RBI single from Vladimir Guerrero in the bottom of the sixth inning. On the play, Springer appeared to slide hard into Jazz Chisholm. Springer was replaced in the top of the seventh, as Andres Gimenez entered at second base, with Davis Schneider moving to left field and Nathan Lukes taking over for Springer in right. Prior to leaving, Springer was 0-for-2 at the plate with one walk. Springer should be considered day-to-day for now.
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Jorge Polanco 2B | SEA
Mariners' Jorge Polanco: Expected back in lineup Tuesday
Polanco will miss a third straight start in Monday's series opener against the Royals due to left knee soreness but is expected back in the lineup Tuesday, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.
Polanco tweaked his surgically repaired knee while stumbling over first base in a game last week against the White Sox. The good news is Polanco met over the weekend with the doctor that performed his offseason operation, and he was given clearance to play. Mitch Garver is serving as Seattle's designated hitter for Monday's game versus the Royals.
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Ryan O'Hearn 1B | SD
Orioles' Ryan O'Hearn: Out again versus lefty
O'Hearn is not in the lineup for Monday's game versus the Rangers.
O'Hearn has now been absent from the lineup seven of the last eight times the Orioles have faced a traditional left-handed starter, as he now appears firmly on the long side of a platoon. Coby Mayo will start at first base and Gary Sanchez will be the designated hitter in Monday's series opener.
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Anthony Santander RF | TOR
Blue Jays' Anthony Santander: Close to swinging bat
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Monday that Santander (shoulder) is "nearing" the start of a hitting progression, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Atkins also revealed that Santander suffered a subluxation -- which is a partial dislocation -- when he initially injured his left shoulder back in early May. Previously, the injury was identified merely as inflammation. The Blue Jays have been waiting until Santander is symptom-free before clearing him to ramp up his hitting, and that time could be coming soon. According to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca, the Blue Jays aren't yet ruling Santander out from being activated from the injured list before the All-Star break, though a second-half return is probably more realistic at this time.
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Colt Keith 3B | DET
Tigers' Colt Keith: Could stick at third
Keith, who has been playing more at third base recently, could stick at the position more permanently, with Matt Vierling also mixing in, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
Keith has now made six career starts at the hot corner, all of which have come this month. The 23-year-old was originally destined to play at first and second base this season, but shifting over to third has allowed him to stay in the lineup while also finding time for Spencer Torkelson and Gleyber Torres across the diamond. The Tigers pursued Alex Bregman in the offseason to handle the position, though it seems like the team may be content with Keith as the primary option now, at least against righties. Vierling, who recently returned from the injured list after missing time due to a shoulder injury, figures to see more playing time when a lefty is starting, giving Keith's left-handed bat a break.
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Trevor Larnach LF | MIN
Twins' Trevor Larnach: Getting night off against Skubal
Larnach is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.
Larnach had started in each of the Twins' last seven games, but he'll take a seat along with fellow left-handed hitters Matt Wallner and Kody Clemens while Minnesota adds more right-handed bats to the lineup to counter Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal. With Larnach and Wallner on the bench, Ryan Jeffers will get a day off from catching to serve as the Twins' designated hitter, and Harrison Bader and Willi Castro will pick up starts at the corner-outfield spots.
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Mike Trout CF | LAA
Angels' Mike Trout: Getting Sunday off
Trout is not in the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Nationals, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
It's likely just a standard rest day for Trout, who started the previous 24 games and posted an .830 OPS with four homers, 11 RBI, 13 runs and a 22:29 BB:K during that stretch. Travis d'Arnaud will receive a turn at designated hitter in the series finale against Washington.
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Jorge Polanco 2B | SEA
Mariners' Jorge Polanco: On bench again Sunday
Polanco is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.
Polanco is batting .143 (5-for-35) across his past 10 contests and will sit Sunday for a second straight game. Cal Raleigh will rest his legs as the designated hitter while Mitch Garver (jaw) receives a start behind the plate.