MLB Player News
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Javier Baez SS | DET
Tigers' Javier Baez: Idle Sunday
Baez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.
After being activated from the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Baez started in each of the Tigers' ensuing four games -- twice in center field, twice at shortstop -- and went 8-for-19 with a double, five RBI and five runs. Baez is likely to see the bulk of his playing time at shortstop moving forward, as top prospect Max Clark was called up Friday and is poised to serve as the Tigers' everyday center fielder. Kevin McGonigle will shift over from third base to cover shortstop Sunday in what likely amounts to a planned rest day for Baez.
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Andrew Velazquez SS | KC
Royals' Andrew Velazquez: Losing out on playing time
Velazquez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.
Velazquez started in four of the Royals' ensuing five games following his call-up from Triple-A Omaha on July 22, but he's since seen his playing time fall by the wayside. He'll hit the bench Sunday for the fifth time in six games and could be in danger of being pushed off the roster when the Royals likely reinstate Bobby Witt (back) from the injured list Tuesday.
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Tyler Tolbert SS | KC
Royals' Tyler Tolbert: Gaining traction at shortstop
Tolbert will start at shortstop and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Rockies.
Tolbert appears to have emerged as the preferred option at shortstop in the absence of Bobby Witt (back). He'll cover the position for the fourth time in five games, but Tolbert could soon shift back into a utility role. Per Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star, the Royals are anticipating Witt coming off the injured list ahead of Tuesday's series opener versus the Twins.
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Jacob Wilson SS | ATH
Athletics' Jacob Wilson: Managing patellar tendinitis
Manager Mark Kotsay said that Wilson, who is out of the lineup Sunday against the Tigers, is dealing with patellar tendinitis in his knee, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Kotsay added that the injury is manageable, and he expects Wilson to be back at shortstop Tuesday in Cincinnati after Monday's team off day. It's unclear when the 24-year-old sustained the injury, but he's been struggling at the plate over the past nine games, batting just .162 (6-for-37) with two doubles, on steal, two RBI and three runs. Alika Williams will fill in at shortstop Sunday for the Athletics.
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Anthony Volpe SS | NYY
Yankees' Anthony Volpe: Back on bench Sunday
Volpe is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.
Volpe started at shortstop the previous three contests, but he went hitless to bring his slash line down to .240/.325/.322 over 194 plate appearances on the season. While the Yankees should be able to clear a regular spot in the lineup for Volpe against left-handed pitching, his playing time versus righties will likely remain sporadic until he earns more opportunities.
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Jacob Wilson SS | ATH
Athletics' Jacob Wilson: Receiving afternoon off
Wilson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.
Alika Williams will get the nod at shortstop while Wilson sits for what's presumably a planned rest day. Wilson had started 21 straight games since he returned from the injured list July 7, slashing .267/.300/.419 with three home runs, two stolen bases, eight RBI and 10 runs over that period.
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Taylor Walls SS | TB
Rays' Taylor Walls: Resting up in series finale
Walls is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Walls was recently left out of the lineup for four straight games while he dealt with a couple of hyperextended fingers on his left hand, but he was able to start in each of the Rays' ensuing five contests. However, after going 0-for-13 with a walk and five strikeouts during that stretch, Walls will take a seat for the series finale and will get a chance to clear his head. Ben Williamson will replace Walls at shortstop and will bat seventh.
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Ezequiel Duran SS | TEX
Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Moves to third base
Duran started at third base and went 0-for-4 with a run scored in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Astros.
Duran, who had been filling in at shortstop, has moved to third base since Corey Seager was activated off the injured list Friday. Duran is now covering for the injured Josh Jung (calf), who is not yet able to run at full speed. Duran is expected to handle the hot corner until Jung is ready to return.
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Kevin McGonigle SS | DET
Tigers' Kevin McGonigle: Gets on base four times
McGonigle went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk, a second RBI and two total runs scored in Saturday's 8-6 win over the Athletics.
McGonigle has homered in consecutive games and is up to 11 long balls on the year. This was his fourth multi-hit effort over his last six contests. The rookie is batting .290 with an .829 OPS, 41 RBI, 70 runs scored, 20 doubles, three triples and 11 stolen bases over 107 games.
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Jose Caballero SS | NYY
Yankees' Jose Caballero: Swipes two bags in loss
Caballero went 1-for-3 with a walk, one RBI and two stolen bases in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Cubs.
Caballero tied the game on an RBI single in the fifth inning and delivered his third multi-steal effort of the season. The 29-year-old has gone just 7-for-40 with three RBI over 12 games since the All-Star break, though he's still managed to swipe five bags during that stretch. On the year, he's slashing .240/.292/.375 with 10 homers, 38 RBI, 36 runs scored and 27 steals across 341 plate appearances.