MLB Player News

Rocchio started at shortstop and went 0-for-2 with a walk in Saturday's 4-3 win over Seattle.

Rocchio has been the everyday second baseman for the last month but was needed at shortstop with Gabriel Arias (wrist) day-to-day. As part of the domino effect, Daniel Schneemann covered second base.

Thomas (foot) took on-field batting practice and ran the bases Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Thomas ramped up his activity over the course of last week and is progressing toward a rehab assignment. There's still no timeline for a potential return, but the Guardians remain optimistic Thomas will play at some point in September.

Means (elbow) is scheduled to make his next rehab start for Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Means will be making his fourth rehab start and second for Columbus. He was knocked around in his previous outing at Triple-A on Tuesday, allowing four runs on three hits (all home runs) in three innings. Means had much better results in his first two rehab starts, which came with High-A Lake County.

Cortes went 2-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI in Saturday's 9-3 loss against the Rangers.

Cortes stood out in Saturday's loss, producing his first multi-hit performance since Aug. 2. Though his playing time has been inconsistent, the outfielder has generally been productive when called upon, slashing .309/.328/.418 with five extra-base hits and four RBI across 58 plate appearances this season. With Tyler Soderstrom covering first base for Nick Kurtz (oblique), there could be more opportunities available for Cortes in left field in the short term.

Varsho (hand) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

Varsho was hit by a pitch on the right hand Friday and was diagnosed with a contusion after X-rays came back negative, and he'll be held out of the starting nine Sunday for a second straight game. The 29-year-old was reportedly available off the bench for Saturday's contest but didn't appear in the game, and he'll presumably be available in that capacity again Sunday.

Harris allowed a hit and no walks with no strikeouts over a scoreless inning in Saturday's 9-3 loss to the Rangers.

While the Athletics' pitching staff struggled in Saturday's loss, Harris turned in a clean outing when called upon in the fifth inning. The left-hander has pieced together a scoreless August, tossing 10 innings across eight outings, a sharp improvement on the 4.35 ERA and 1.65 WHIP he carried over 41.1 innings in 30 big-league appearances through July.

Clement (finger/shin) will start at third base and bat sixth Sunday against the Brewers.

Clement was held out of the starting nine the past couple days due to a hairline finger fracture and a laceration to his left shin, but he's ready to rejoin the lineup for Sunday's series finale. The 29-year-old's average has dipped in August as he's batting .247 in 24 games, though he still has a .729 OPS this month thanks to four home runs.

Gonzalez will start at second base and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Gonzalez will stick in the lineup for a fourth straight game, occupying the keystone for the first time during that stretch as Nathaniel Lowe returns from the paternity list. Though Gonzalez has been at his best against left-handed pitching this season with a .977 OPS in 122 plate appearances, he's been serviceable against righties with a .273/.296/.414 slash line over 135 PAs. The Red Sox could prioritize Gonzalez over David Hamilton at second base until Wilyer Abreu (calf) returns from the injured list, which would push Ceddanne Rafaela to the infield on a more frequent basis.

Hamilton is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Though Hamilton has posted a 1.053 OPS in six games since being called up from Triple-A Worcester on Aug. 21, the Red Sox aren't yet ready to give him consistent playing time. He'll be on the bench for a second straight matchup with a right-handed starter (Mitch Keller), clearing the way for Romy Gonzalez to shift from first base to the keystone in Nathaniel Lowe's return from the paternity list.

The Royals optioned Kolek to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

The right-hander was called up for a spot start Saturday and allowed just one run over six innings in a no-decision against Detroit, but he won't stick on the big-league roster with Michael Wacha returning from the paternity list Sunday. Kolek could rejoin the big club down the stretch, but he may have a difficult time finding a spot in the Kansas City rotation while all of Wacha, Seth Lugo, Michael Lorenzen, Noah Cameron and Ryan Bergert are available.