MLB Player News
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Guardians' Kyle Manzardo: On bench against lefty
Manzardo is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.
The left-handed hitter had been in the lineup five straight games while the Guardians faced right-handed starting pitchers, but he'll take a seat Sunday against southpaw Trevor Rogers. Rhys Hoskins will fill in for Manzardo at first base and bat cleanup.
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Pirates' Ryan O'Hearn: Resting for series finale
O'Hearn is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.
The left-handed-hitting O'Hearn hasn't been a strict platoon player for the Pirates this season, but after he played eight of 13 innings in Saturday's 8-7 loss, he'll get a breather for Sunday's matinee game while southpaw Shane McClanahan toes the rubber for the Rays. Jake Mangum will pick up a start in the outfield in O'Hearn's stead.
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Rays' Jake Fraley: Taking seat Sunday
Fraley is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Even with the Rays facing right-hander Mitch Keller in the series finale, Fraley will cede his spot in right field to Jonny DeLuca. Fraley has recorded hits in five of his last six starts but is still holding down a pedestrian .227/.292/.364 slash line over 48 plate appearances.
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Cam Sanders RP | PIT
Wilber Dotel RP | PIT
Pirates' Cam Sanders: Quick return to minors
The Pirates optioned Sanders to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
The right-hander was called up from Triple-A on Friday and made his season debut Saturday against the Rays, but he'll head back to the minors after surrendering to four runs over two-thirds of an inning. Wilber Dotel will take Sanders' place in Pittsburgh's bullpen.
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Wilber Dotel RP | PIT
Pirates' Wilber Dotel: Gets first call to big leagues
The Pirates recalled Dotel from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
The 23-year-old has surrendered 10 earned runs with a 13:7 K:BB over 14.1 innings to begin the season with Indianapolis, but he'll get his first opportunity in the major leagues anyway. Dotel was working out of the rotation at Triple-A but will shift to the bullpen to provide some depth for the Pirates after Saturday's 13-inning loss to the Rays.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Remains productive in loss
Duran started at second base and went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Mariners.
Duran notched a run-scoring double in the ninth inning, as the Rangers mounted a comeback that eventually lost steam. He might have made the start against Seattle's George Kirby because he has a better track record against the right-hander than the Rangers' primary second baseman, the lefty-hitting Josh Smith. The start may also be a sign that Smith's season-opening slump (.177 average, 20 games) has left his starting spot vulnerable. Duran, who has played multiple positions, is slashing .289/.347/.422 over 17 games played.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Idle Sunday
Isbel is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.
The Royals will stock up some extra right-handed bats to counter Yankees southpaw Ryan Weathers, so Isbel will hit the bench along with fellow left-handed hitters Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone. Isbel had started each of the last four games but went 1-for-10 at the dish, bringing his season average down to .265.
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Royals' Jonathan India: Left out of lineup vs. lefty
India is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.
On the bench for three of the Royals' previous four matchups with right-handed starting pitchers, India's playing time had already been tailing off, but the veteran infielder will now remain out Sunday despite a southpaw (Ryan Weathers) taking the hill for the Yankees. The Royals will go with the left-handed-hitting Michael Massey at second base instead of India, who has mustered a lowly .167/.310/.313 slash line across 58 plate appearances thus far during his second season with Kansas City.
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Mitch Spence RP | KC
Mason Black RP | KC
Royals' Mitch Spence: Heading back to Triple-A
The Royals optioned Spence to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.
Spence wasn't going to be available for at least a few days after he yielded six earned runs on four hits and five walks while covering four innings and tossing 84 pitches in long relief during Saturday's 13-4 loss to the Yankees, so Kansas City will send him to the minors in exchange for a fresh arm. Mason Black was recalled from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move and will give the Royals another right-handed arm capable of covering multiple innings out of the bullpen.
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Mason Black RP | KC
Mitch Spence RP | KC
Royals' Mason Black: Called up Sunday
The Royals recalled Black from Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.
Black was unable to crack Kansas City's Opening Day roster but will now get a look in the big-league bullpen. The 26-year-old has a 3.86 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 6:5 K:BB over 11.2 innings (seven appearances) with Omaha this year, and he'll provide the Royals with some bullpen depth after Mitch Spence covered four relief innings Saturday.