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Justin Slaten RP | BOS
Red Sox's Justin Slaten: Shut down from throwing
Interim manager Chad Tracy said Monday that Slaten (elbow) has been shut down from throwing, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
Slaten last pitched Aug. 12 before landing on the shelf four days later due to elbow inflammation. He's experienced recurring symptoms since restarting a throwing program recently and will be shut down indefinitely, lessening the possibility that the 28-year-old makes it back from the injured list before the end of the regular season. Slaten owns a 4.60 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 39:8 K:BB across 31.1 innings of relief with Boston.
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Ryan Helsley RP | BAL
Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Set for live BP
Manager Craig Albernaz said Monday that Helsley (elbow) will throw live batting practice Tuesday or Wednesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Helsley last pitched for Baltimore on June 27 due to elbow inflammation. He's been throwing since early August but will finally face hitters this week, giving him a chance to pitch again this regular season. Helsley has been limited to 17 appearances this season, registering eight saves with a 4.11 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB across 15.1 innings.
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Josh H. Smith 3B | TOR
Blue Jays' Josh Smith: Supplies only offense in Sunday's loss
Smith went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Sunday's loss to the Royals.
Getting the start at second base and batting seventh, Smith provided the Blue Jays with their only offense when he got hold of a Randy Dobnak sweeper in the sixth inning and hooked it down the right-field line. The 29-year-old utility player has been making an impact at the plate since being picked up from Texas at the trade deadline, slashing .257/.381/.600 in 44 plate appearances with four homers, five RBI and 11 runs despite missing 11 games with a hamstring strain. Smith has mainly played second base and third base with Toronto, but he has experience in left field and could get more time there down the stretch with neither Jesus Sanchez nor Myles Straw looking like adequate options for a team still in the playoff race.
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Jac Caglianone RF | KC
Royals' Jac Caglianone: Remains out with elbow injury
Caglianone (elbow) remains out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Caglianone will miss a second consecutive start after being diagnosed with a Grade 1 left flexor strain. The Royals aren't anticipating Caglianone requiring a stint on the injured list, with manager Matt Quatraro noting that the 23-year-old is feeling "better" but not scheduled to do any hitting or throwing Monday, per Joel Penfield of KCSN.com. John Rave will play right field for the Royals in the series opener.
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Josh Jung 3B | TEX
Rangers' Josh Jung: Live BP session Monday
Jung (calf) will have a live batting practice session Monday with Double-A Frisco, MLB.com reports.
If all goes well, Jung is expected to embark on a rehab assignment at some point this week. A mid-September return is a possibility.
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Justin Foscue 2B | TEX
Rangers' Justin Foscue: Involved in win
Foscue started at second base and went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Sunday's 8-6 win over Tampa Bay.
Per usual, Foscue was in the lineup against a left-handed starter, and he delivered a game-tying double in the fourth inning to erase the Rays' early lead. He's hit safely in five straight games, going 5-for-14 with two doubles, one home run and five RBI during that streak. When not starting, he's often a mid-game replacement when opponents bring in a lefty reliever.
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Brayan Bello RP | BOS
Red Sox's Brayan Bello: Making start Monday
Bello will start Monday's game against the Angels.
Despite thriving out of the bullpen this season with a 2.03 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 62 innings, Bello will be deployed in a traditional starting role for the first time since June 4. In his prior eight starts, Bello has struggled mightily, logging a 10.35 ERA and 2.22 WHIP. Bello threw 69 pitches in his most recent relief appearance and threw 94 in the outing prior to that, so he's stretched out enough to provide significant length.