MLB Player News

Cortes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals.

The left-handed-hitting Cortes was on the bench while the Athletics faced lefties the past two games, but his absence Wednesday with come with a right-handed pitcher (Cade Cavalli) taking the hill for the Nationals. Cortes has posted a strong .797 OPS since receiving his first promotion to the big leagues July 22, so his move to the bench appears to have less to do with his performance than it does the Athletics' desire to keep the hot-hitting JJ Bleday's bat in the lineup. Bleday will get a third straight start in the outfield after going 8-for-10 with two home runs, two doubles, seven RBI and five runs between the past two contests.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Javier (elbow) is in position to make his season debut with the major-league club during its homestand next week, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Javier made his fifth and likely final rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Sugar Land, allowing one run one two hits and four walks while striking out six over 3.2 innings. The right-hander holds a 5.14 ERA and 15:15 K:BB over 14 frames during his rehab assignment and reached 77 pitches Tuesday. Javier could rejoin the Astros' rotation as soon as Monday against the Red Sox. While he makes for a viable stash in fantasy leagues, it might be wise to leave him on your bench initially.

Carter said Wednesday that he received an injection to address discomfort in his ailing back and expects to resume ramping up his baseball activities Friday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Carter was placed on the injured list Saturday due to back spasms, but the young outfielder doesn't appear to be tracking toward an extended stay on the shelf. Assuming the shot in his back yields the desired effect, Carter could start hitting, running and playing defense over the weekend before potentially heading out on a rehab assignment. With Carter out, the Rangers have been using Wyatt Langford as their primary center fielder, which has opened up more reps for Alejandro Osuna and Sam Haggerty in left field.

Toro is out of the lineup for Wednesday's tilt versus the Royals.

Toro had started each of the last 11 contests but will begin Wednesday's contest on the bench. Romy Gonzalez will cover first base and bat fifth for the Red Sox.

Narvaez is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Royals.

Narvaez started Tuesday's game, but this will be the third time over the last four contests that he's been absent from the lineup. He's been in a rut at the dish, going 1-for-23 over his last six contests. Connor Wong will fill in at catcher Wednesday.

Urias (back) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Nationals.

Urias hasn't played since exited Sunday's 6-4 loss to the Diamondbacks with lower-back spasms and is considered day-to-day. Max Schuemann will get another start at second base in Urias' stead.

Anthony (back) will start in left field and bat leadoff in Wednesday's game versus the Royals.

Anthony missed the previous two contests with mid-back tightness, but he's ready to roll for Wednesday's game. The rookie outfielder -- who agreed to an eight-year, $130 million contract extension with Boston earlier Wednesday -- will carry an eight-game hitting stretch into the series finale.

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

Ferguson was one of the club's better relievers last season, but he was sent down in June following a rough stretch in which he yielded 10 runs over four appearances. The 31-year-old seemed to get back on track at Las Vegas, permitting just one earned run with an 11:3 K:BB over 10 innings. Ferguson could pitch his way back into leveraged situations in an unsettled bullpen, though that probably won't happen right away.

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

Acquired from the Padres in the Mason Miller trade, Nunez was roughed up for five runs on six hits and four walks over 2.1 innings in his first two appearances with the Athletics. He will be replaced on the 26-man active roster by right-hander Tyler Ferguson, who was recalled from Las Vegas.

DeLuca will start in center field and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Angels, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

DeLuca will be included in the lineup for the seventh straight contest, but it's not yet clear if he'll be in line for regular starts against right-handed pitching after fellow outfielder Chandler Simpson returned to action in Tuesday's 7-3 win following a four-game absence due to a finger issue. The Rays could open up more time for DeLuca if they opt to rotate a number of other regulars at the designated-hitter spot and commit to Yandy Diaz as a full-time first baseman while Jonathan Aranda (wrist) is on the injured list.