MLB Player News
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Gio Urshela 3B | MIN
Athletics' Gio Urshela: Playing time trending up
Urshela will start at third base and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Nationals.
Urshela will stick in the lineup for the fourth time in five games while Luis Urias (back) is day-to-day and Max Muncy (hand) remains on the shelf. Assuming Urias is able to avoid a stint on the injured list and rejoins the lineup in the near future, Urshela will likely fade into more of a part-time role.
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Coby Mayo 3B | BAL
Orioles' Coby Mayo: Powers offense in win
Mayo went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Phillies.
Mayo gave the Orioles a 4-0 lead in the fourth inning, launching a 421-foot blast off Ranger Suarez. The 23-year-old corner infielder is getting his first taste of major-league success, posting an .872 OPS with three homers and eight RBI over 15 games since the All-Star break. For the year, he's slashing .221/.296/.377 with four home runs, 17 RBI, 14 runs scored and a stolen base across 135 plate appearances.
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Carlos Cortes RF | ATH
Athletics' Carlos Cortes: Giving way to Bleday on Wednesday
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.
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Cristian Javier SP | HOU
Astros' Cristian Javier: On track for season debut next week
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.
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Evan Carter CF | TEX
Rangers' Evan Carter: Receives injection for back
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.
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Carlos Narvaez C | BOS
Red Sox's Carlos Narvaez: Out again amid slump
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.
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Luis Urias 2B | TOR
Athletics' Luis Urias: Out again 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.
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Roman Anthony OF | BOS
Red Sox's Roman Anthony: Returns to Boston lineup
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.
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Tyler Ferguson RP | CHC
Athletics' Tyler Ferguson: Rejoins big-league bullpen
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.