MLB Player News

Rice isn't starting Saturday's game against the Red Sox, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Rice has become a mainstay in New York's lineup in August, and he entered the weekend having started at either catcher or first base in each of the team's past 15 contests. However, he'll give way behind the plate to Austin Wells on Saturday while Paul Goldschmidt mans first base. Rice's day off isn't performance-related, as he posted a 1.018 OPS with four home runs and 12 RBI during the aforementioned 15-game stretch.

Gray went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk Friday against the Cardinals.

Gray has spent the majority of the past month in the majors but has primarily been a bench bat. However, with a significant number of injuries across the Rays' depth chart, he's been called upon to start three consecutive games between shortstop and second base. Gray popped his first home run of the season and second of his career in the second inning.

Pena went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and four RBI in Friday's 10-7 win over the Orioles.

The shortstop took Cade Povich deep for a three-run shot in the third inning as part of a four-run frame that gave the Astros a lead they would never relinquish. Pena has 14 long balls on the season, with three of them coming in his last 12 games, but he's otherwise struggled to build any momentum over that stretch, managing a .213/.288/.447 slash line with two steals, four runs and six RBI.

Abreu struck out four in 1.1 scoreless innings Friday to record his second save of the season in a 10-7 win over the Orioles.

Plunking Coby Mayo (hand) with a pitch was the only blemish on a dominant relief performance by Abreu. The right-hander hasn't given up a run in August, posting a 0.70 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB over 10 innings, and with Josh Hader (shoulder) likely out for the rest of the regular season, Abreu is locked into the closer role for the Astros.

McCullers came away with a no-decision in Friday's 10-7 win over the Orioles, giving up three runs on five hits and five walks in four innings. He struck out four.

Out since July 19 due to blister issues, McCullers had trouble finding the plate in his return, tossing 50 of 97 pitches for strikes and falling short of qualifying for the win in a game in which the Astros never trailed. The five free passes were a season high for the right-hander, but he's issued multiple walks in six straight big-league starts dating back to June 10, compiling a disastrous 9.38 ERA, 2.21 WHIP and 21:22 K:BB in 24 innings over that stretch. With Luis Garcia (elbow) closing in on his return, McCullers may find himself bumped from the rotation as soon as next week.

Toronto has extended Manoah's (elbow) minor-league rehab assignment by an extra 10 days, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Manoah's initial 30-day rehab stint came to a close, but the right-handed hurler isn't yet ready to be activated. The Blue Jays have thus elected to use one of a potential three 10-day extensions available for pitchers coming back from Tommy John surgery per the collective bargaining agreement. Manoah has struggled during his rehab assignment to this point, posting a 7.71 ERA, 2.06 WHIP and 10:10 K:BB over 11.2 innings spanning five starts, though his most recent performance was his best -- he allowed one run over 4.2 frames with four strikeouts Wednesday with Triple-A Buffalo. Nicholson-Smith indicates that Manoah will throw a side session this weekend and is slated for another start with Buffalo early next week.

Falter (7-7) took the loss Friday against Detroit, allowing four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out two over two innings.

Falter was roughed up in relief Friday, giving up three runs without recording an out in the seventh inning and ultimately yielding four runs across two frames. Since joining Kansas City, the left-hander has labored, allowing nine earned runs over eight innings in two starts before being shifted to the bullpen. That move hasn't stabilized things either, as he's surrendered six earned runs in four innings of relief.

Tellez started at first base and went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 4-3 win over Cleveland.

Tellez swatted his third home run in 24 games since being promoted to the majors July 18. He appears to be in line for regular plate appearances in the short term, as Friday's start at first base was his fourth in the five games since the Rangers placed Jake Burger (wrist) on the 10-day injured list. All of his starts have come against right-handers.

Pederson went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Friday's 4-3 win over the Guardians.

Pederson laced a first-pitch double to drive in the game-winning run in the ninth inning for the walk-off win. His hit followed a game-tying single by Corey Seager on the first pitch he saw, as it appears the Rangers had a plan to jump early on Cleveland closer Cade Smith. Pederson has hit safely in four consecutive games, going 5-for-15 with a double, a home run and three RBI.

Semien (foot) underwent an MRI on Friday that came back inconclusive, MLB.com reports.

Semien fouled a ball off his foot during the series finale against the Royals on Thursday and was held out of Friday's lineup. He remained in a walking boot and could miss the entire weekend set against the Guardians. Ezequiel Duran started at second base in Semien's place.