MLB Player News

Duran isn't starting against the Cubs on Saturday.

The Cubs are sending southpaw Shota Imanaga to the mound, so the lefty-hitting Duran will be on the bench to begin the contest. Duran has a poor .564 OPS against lefties this season. Rob Refsnyder is getting the start in left field for Boston on Saturday.

Kwan (wrist) isn't in the starting lineup for Saturday's matchup versus the Athletics.

Kwan is sitting out a second straight game due to a right wrist injury. The veteran outfielder was able to participate in Tuesday's All-Star Game, going 1-for-2 with an RBI and a stolen base, but the wrist issue had reportedly been bothering him since before that contest. With Kwan sitting Saturday, the Guardians' starting outfield consists of Nolan Jones, Angel Martinez and Johnathan Rodriguez from left to right.

Butler isn't in the starting lineup for Saturday's clash against Cleveland.

The lefty-hitting Butler will take a seat to begin the game against Guardians southpaw Logan Allen. Brent Rooker is starting in right field for the Athletics, while Shea Langeliers is getting a day off his feet as the DH.

O'Hoppe is not starting Saturday's game against Philadelphia, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

O'Hoppe started behind the plate Friday in the Angels' first game of the second half and went 2-for-4 with a triple. However, he's stepping aside Saturday while Travis d'Arnaud gets a turn at catcher.

Lewis is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's matchup versus Colorado.

Lewis will begin on the bench for Minnesota's second game of the second half after going 0-for-3 with a strikeout Friday. The Twins are starting Brooks Lee at third base Saturday, while Willi Castro is handling second base.

The White Sox optioned Robertson to Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday.

Robertson was acquired in a trade with Toronto on July 9 and was recalled from the minors by Chicago two days later. During his brief stint with the White Sox, he went 0-for-6 with one run and four strikeouts, and he's gone 1-for-16 with 11 punchouts overall this season (including a three-game stint with the Blue Jays in June). Robertson's demotion Saturday made room on the 26-man roster for the activation of Brooks Baldwin (back) from the injured list.

The White Sox reinstated Baldwin (back) from the 10-day injured list Saturday.

Baldwin landed on the IL on July 9 due to a lower-back strain, but he made a relatively quick recovery and homered in his lone minor-league rehab game Friday. The utility man's activation resulted in rookie outfielder Will Robertson being optioned to Triple-A Charlotte.

The White Sox recalled Gonzalez from Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday.

Gonzalez previously had a stint with the White Sox in late June and allowed two runs on three hits with a 5:4 K:BB over four innings spanning two outings. His call-up Saturday corresponds with rookie starter Shane Smith landing on the IL due to a left ankle sprain. Though Gonzalez has plenty of starting experience in the minors, all 16 of his outings in Triple-A this year have come in relief, and he'll presumably fill a role at the back of Chicago's bullpen while he's up with the team.

The White Sox placed Smith on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to a left ankle sprain.

It's not clear when Smith hurt his ankle, though the move is retroactive to July 16 -- one day after the All-Star Game, during which the rookie hurler threw 10 pitches over one-third of an inning. With Smith landing on the IL, Chicago recalled reliever Wikelman Gonzalez from Triple-A, but it's uncertain who (if anybody) will slide into the rotation in the short term. The White Sox have opted for bullpen games on a few occasions this season and could go that route again until Smith is ready to return, which won't be until the beginning of August at the earliest.

Eder did not factor in the decision Friday against the Phillies. He allowed three runs on four hits and three walks and did not strike out a batter over three innings.

In their first contest following the All-Star break, the Angels went with a bullpen game, with Ryan Zeferjahn opening and Eder logging the biggest workload (61 pitches). The latter struggled with his control, throwing just 59 percent of his pitches for strikes and walking three batters, while all three runs scored against him came on a homer by Bryce Harper. Eder entered Friday having posted a 1.93 ERA over 9.1 innings with the big club, but that number shot up to 3.65 following his subpar outing. It remains to be seen how the team will handle the fifth-starter role following Jack Kochanowicz's demotion to Triple-A, and it's possible that Eder could be asked to work again in bulk relief until a plan for the rotation comes into focus.