MLB Player News

Gonzalez (knee) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

David Hamilton will occupy the keystone in the series finale in Sacramento after Gonzalez was removed in the second inning of Tuesday's 6-0 win due to left knee soreness. Gonzalez -- who went 2-for-2 with a home run, a double and two RBI prior to his departure -- is considered day-to-day, with manager Alex Cora noting that he's not overly worried about the infielder's injury, per Cotillo. With a team off day on tap Thursday, Gonzalez will essentially benefit from two days of rest before potentially returning to the lineup Friday against the Yankees.

The Red Sox optioned Murphy to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Murphy pitched each of the previous two days, so he likely wouldn't have been available out of the bullpen for a day or two. He's being sent out in favor of Kyle Harrison, who was recalled from Triple-A and is expected to provide length out of the bullpen during Wednesday's series finale versus the Athletics.

The Red Sox recalled Harrison from Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Harrison is a likely candidate to serve in a bulk-relief/piggyback role Wednesday against the Athletics, following starter Payton Tolle, who is expected to be in line for a light workload. The left-handed Harrison has posted a 3.75 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 50:27 K:BB in 50.1 innings over 12 starts with Worcester since being acquired via trade in mid-June and will be making his Red Sox debut if he gets into Wednesday's game.

Haggerty (ankle) ran the bases at Globe Life Field on Wednesday and is slated to begin a rehab assignment Friday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Haggerty has been shelved since mid-August with left ankle inflammation but is almost ready to test things out in game action. The emergence of Michael Helman could throw a wrench into Haggerty's playing time, but Haggerty is hitting .318/.376/.435 versus lefties and offers positional versatility, so he should still find his way into the lineup against southpaws once he's ready to return.

Duran is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

After a stretch of five consecutive starts at four different positions, Duran will take a seat for the second day in a row, with both of his absences coming while the Brewers have sent right-handers to the mound. Duran looks like he'll mainly be limited to a short-side platoon role in the Texas infield while the Rangers turn to Josh Smith and Cody Freeman as their preferred double-play tandem against right-handed pitching.

Heim is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

Heim will rest after he had been included in the lineup in each of the last four games, making three starts at catcher and one as a designated hitter during that stretch. Though the Rangers will likely continue to make regular room for both Heim and Kyle Higashioka in the lineup when the team faces left-handed starters, Higashioka will likely rank as the preferred option behind the plate against right-handed pitching.

The Athletics recalled Spence from Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

He'll join the 28-man active roster in place of right-hander Scott McGough, who was optioned to Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Spence had been working out of the rotation at Las Vegas following his July 10 demotion, turning in a 6.21 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 31:12 K:BB in 29 innings. The Athletics have a full rotation at the moment, so Spence looks like he'll be ticketed for a long-relief role for the time being. However, if Mason Barnett falters in his start Wednesday against the Red Sox, it wouldn't be surprising if Spence replaced him in the rotation the next time his turn comes up.

The Athletics optioned McGough to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

McGough's brief time with the Athletics didn't go well, as he was touched up for five runs on eight hits and one walk over five innings covering three relief appearances. He's being replaced on the active roster by Mitch Spence, who was recalled from Triple-A.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that Van Belle's right elbow injury is believed to be a UCL sprain, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Before he was transferred to the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Van Belle was initially placed on the 15-day IL on Saturday due to elbow inflammation. A recent MRI has revealed a sprain, and Van Belle now faces the possibility of requiring the second Tommy John surgery of his career. According to Cash, Van Belle plans to consult with Dr. Keith Meister over the next 3-to-4 weeks before a decision is made regarding whether he'll treat the injury through rest and rehab or undergo Tommy John surgery or another type of elbow procedure. Acquired from the Reds ahead of the trade deadline, Van Belle received his first call-up to the Rays on Aug. 22 and made four multi-inning relief appearances before landing on the shelf.

The Red Sox plan to recall Harrison from Triple-A Worcester ahead of Wednesday's game against the Athletics in Sacramento, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Though manager Alex Cora has confirmed that Payton Tolle will start Wednesday's contest, the rookie southpaw will be in line for an abbreviated appearance since he'll be pitching on less than five days' rest for the first time as a professional. According to Cotillo, Cora wouldn't reveal his plans for once Tolle exits the contest, but Harrison would make sense in a piggyback role. Since being acquired from the Giants in mid-June, Harrison has yet to make his Boston debut and has been working out of the rotation at Worcester, turning in a 3.75 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 50:27 K:BB in 50.1 innings over 12 starts. He made a one-inning appearance Sunday and should be capable of covering multiple frames Wednesday in relief of Tolle.