MLB Player News

Judge (ribs) won't face live pitching before the Yankees return home next week, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Judge took batting practice on the field Friday and appears on track to return during the team's upcoming homestand, which runs from Sept. 8-13. However, Hoch suggests a return for the very start of that homestand is unlikely with Judge still yet to check the final box in his recovery program. Instead, Hoch is "unofficially circling" Sept. 11 as the likely target date for Judge's return.

Lee was removed from the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Guardians with an apparent knee injury, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Per McCosky, Lee was in real pain after banging knees with Cleveland catcher Austin Hedges on a play at the plate in the top of the third inning, and Lee then limped off the field. He was replaced at DH before his next at-bat, having gone 1-for-6 across the twin bill.

Martinez was removed from the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Tigers after colliding with teammate Brayan Rocchio in shallow left field in the top of the fourth inning, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Rocchio made the catch and both players were able to walk off under their own power, but Martinez was lifted before the top of the fifth. Nathaniel Lowe replaced Martinez in the game, pushing David Fry from first base out to left field.

Judge (ribs) took batting practice on the field prior to Friday's game against the Padres, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

The three-time MVP has cleared another hurdle on his road to recovery from a stress fracture in his rib that has sidelined him since the end of May. Manager Aaron Boone recently suggested Judge could be back at some point during the Yankees' homestand next week.

Brash has been shut down from throwing for eight weeks after an MRI revealed more inflammation in his lat, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Brash had been ramping up toward a return by throwing bullpen sessions in late August, but this setback eliminates any hope for a return this season. The flamethrowing right-hander made 20 appearances out of the Seattle bullpen in between IL stints, posting a 0.54 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB over 16.2 innings.

Montero escaped with a no-decision in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Guardians, coughing up six runs on eight hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander was staked to a 6-1 lead after three innings, but a grand slam by Brayan Rocchio in the fourth brought Cleveland level and helped send Montero to the showers after 82 pitches (51 strikes). The six earned runs allowed were a season worst for Montero, while four innings represented his shortest outing since July 17, when he worked in relief. Over six trips to the mound since the beginning of August, he's produced a 4.13 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 17:9 K:BB in 32.2 innings. Montero will look to bounce back in his next start, which lines up to come at home next week against the Twins.

The Athletics recalled Estes from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, Jason Burke of Roundtable.io reports.

Estes has mostly struggled in the harsh pitching conditions of the Pacific Coast League this season, posting a 6.88 ERA and 1.64 WHIP over 86.1 innings with Las Vegas. He has worked exclusively as a starter this year, and while he figures to be available out of the bullpen immediately upon his return to the majors, Estes could make a start next week in place of Jack Perkins, who was sent down Friday in a corresponding move.

The Athletics optioned Perkins to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, Jason Burke of Roundtable.io reports.

Perkins labored Thursday in Seattle, handing out five free passes and also hitting a batter, leading to three earned runs allowed over as many innings. The right-hander now sits with a 6.50 ERA and 1.54 WHIP over 98.1 innings spanning 33 appearances (13 starts) in the majors this season. Joey Estes replaces Perkins on the active roster and will be a candidate to replace him in the rotation beginning next week.

Lowe is not in the lineup for the nightcap of Friday's doubleheader against Detroit.

With lefty Andrew Sears starting Friday's nightcap for Detroit, Lowe will ride the bench. David Fry will take over at first base and bat sixth for Cleveland.

Bazzana is absent from Cleveland's lineup for the second game of Friday's doubleheader against Detroit.

With the Tigers sending Andrew Sears to the mound for the nightcap, the left-handed hitter will ride the pine. Bazzana went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored during the matinee. Angel Genao will man second base and bat seventh for the Guardians.