MLB Player News

Kirk isn't in the starting lineup Sunday against Kansas City.

Kirk will get a breather after starting the Blue Jays' past two games behind the plate and going 3-for-10 with two RBI during that span. Brandon Valenzuela is getting a turn at catcher for Toronto in the series finale versus the Royals.

Alexander will start at second base and bat leadoff in Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Since being reinstated from the injured list Aug. 28, Alexander has now picked up eight starts in 11 games while occupying four different positions during that span. Alexander is hitting .300 since his activation, but all nine of his hits have been singles, and he's provided few counting statistics (three runs, one RBI and one stolen base).

Basallo isn't in the starting lineup versus the Red Sox on Sunday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Basallo is beginning on the bench for the third time in Baltimore's past four games, with all three of his absences coming against southpaw starters. It appears the 22-year-old is on the strong side of a platoon with Carlos Narvaez, who is starting Sunday, behind the plate.

Robert isn't starting against Boston on Sunday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

It's the second consecutive day out of the lineup for Robert, and Sunday's absence is a bit eyebrow-raising given that the Orioles are facing a lefty starter (Payton Tolle). It's also worth noting that Baltimore called up outfielder Rece Hinds from Triple-A on Sunday, and he's starting in left field in Robert's stead. To this point, there's been no word that Robert is dealing with an injury, but there's also been no explanation yet about why the veteran outfielder is beginning on the bench two straight days.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that Caglianone is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays due to a Grade 1 flexor strain and is considered day-to-day, Joel Penfield of KCSN.com reports.

Caglianone sustained the injury in Saturday's 4-3 loss, when he delivered an RBI single in his lone at-bat and made two throws in the outfield before exiting after two innings. Quatraro said that Caglianone won't do any baseball activities Sunday and will be re-evaluated Monday before the Royals decide on his next steps. At this stage, Quatraro didn't express much concern that the elbow issue would force Caglianone to the injured list.

The Astros recalled Ullola from Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.

This will be Ullola's fourth stint with Houston this season, and so far he's allowed four runs (three earned) while posting an excellent 9:1 K:BB over six innings spanning four appearances. Ullola will take the bullpen spot vacated by Kai-Wei Teng, who was optioned to Sugar Land in a corresponding move.

Manager Derek Shelton said that Ryan (glute) checked out fine after completing a bullpen session Saturday and is likely to return from the 15-day injured list to make his next start with the Twins, Audra Martin of Twins.tv reports.

On the shelf since Aug. 7 due to a mild left glute strain, Ryan looks on track to slot back into the Minnesota rotation during the club's three-game series in Detroit that begins Monday. Since he covered just three innings and tossed 42 pitches in his lone rehab start Triple-A St. Paul this past Tuesday, Ryan will likely be operating with a restricted pitch count if he does in fact get activated during the upcoming week. The Twins could consider using Ryan in tandem with rookie Connor Prielipp, whose workload is expected to be monitored over the final few weeks of the season.

The Astros optioned Teng to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday.

Teng has had a rough go of late, giving up six runs with a 2:3 K:BB over his past 3.1 innings spanning three appearances. He'll lose his spot in the big-league bullpen to Miguel Ullola, who was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Trout (hand) will start at designated hitter and bat second in Sunday's game against the Pirates, Erica Weston of Angels Broadcast Television reports.

Trout was lifted for a pinch runner after being hit by a pitch in the left hand during the top of the ninth inning of Saturday's 6-1 win, but his removal appears to have been mostly precautionary. X-rays on his hand following the game returned negative, and any soreness or swelling Trout might have experienced seems to have subsided enough for him to swing the bat without issue in Sunday's series finale. He'll get a day as the Angels' DH but will likely return to his usual spot in center field Monday in Boston.

The Tigers transferred Vierling (adductor/heel) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Vierling initially landed on the IL on July 31 due to a left adductor strain. He then suffered a heel injury in late August, and the pair of issues will result in Vierling being ruled out for the remainder of the regular season. He could theoretically return for the playoffs, but that might be a moot point with Detroit currently 6.5 games back of a wild-card spot.