MLB Player News

Alvarez is out of the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Rockies, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alvarez started in both of the past two days upon his return from the 60-day injured list, but he will get a breather for Thursday's matinee. Jose Altuve will occupy the designated-hitter spot and Mauricio Dubon will cover left field in the rubber match.

Diaz (hand) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rockies, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Diaz will be held out of the starting nine for the third game in a row while he manages a hand injury. Cesar Salazar will get the nod behind the plate in place of Diaz, who can be considered day-to-day heading into the Astros' weekend series with the Angels.

Basso allowed no hits and a walk with no strikeouts over a scoreless inning Wednesday against the Tigers.

Basso made his season debut for the Athletics, tossing a scoreless ninth inning to close out an impressive sweep of the Tigers. The southpaw has spent most of the year sidelined by a left shoulder strain suffered in March, then was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas upon activation Aug. 11 before being recalled ahead of Wednesday's contest. Though a starter by trade, Basso has been working out of the bullpen since returning from injury.

Sterner struck out the side in a perfect inning during Wednesday's 7-0 win over the Tigers.

Sterner retired the side on strikeouts in the eighth inning Wednesday, the first time this season he's done so in order. The right-hander has been sharp in August, posting a 1.98 ERA and 0.59 WHIP across 13.2 innings in 11 appearances.

The Red Sox could promote Tolle from Triple-A Worcester to start or make a bulk-relief appearance in Friday's game against the Pirates, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Boston has confirmed that Dustin May will start the second game of the series Saturday, and Lucas Giolito appears on track to start Sunday's series finale, but the club still has an opening in its rotation for Friday after Richard Fitts (arm) was removed from his bulk-relief appearance in Monday's game against the Orioles before landing on the injured list. Kyle Harrison -- who is already on the Red Sox's 40-man roster -- made an abbreviated three-inning start for Worcester on Tuesday to keep him in play for a promotion to the big leagues Friday, but Tolle has established himself as the organization's top pitching prospect this season and may have done enough to make a case for his first MLB call-up. After accruing a 2.93 ERA and racking up 116 punchouts across 76.2 innings through his first 17 outings of the season between High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland, the 22-year-old lefty has continued to shine since moving up to Worcester earlier this month. Through three starts at Triple-A, Tolle has accrued a 3.60 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB in 15 innings.

Beavers is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox.

The left-handed-hitting Beavers will get a day off as the Red Sox send southpaw ace Garrett Crochet to the bump. Dylan Carlson and Jeremiah Jackson will hold down the corner outfield spots as the Orioles try to avoid being swept in the four-game series.

Cruz (shoulder) threw a light bullpen Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Cruz took a step forward in his rehab for right shoulder tendinitis, throwing a short bullpen session of 15 to 20 pitches. The right-hander had previously been limited to flat-ground work from about 75 feet, so this progression is encouraging. While the Royals haven't provided a firm timeline, a late-season return remains on the table.

Basallo is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Red Sox.

The left-handed-hitting Basallo had started each of the previous five tilts, but he will get a breather as the Orioles take on lefty ace Garrett Crochet. Alex Jackson will fill in at catcher and bat ninth for Baltimore.

Harvey (groin) completed a light bullpen session Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Harvey took another step forward in his recovery from the Grade 2 right adductor strain that has sidelined him since Aug. 11. He threw a short bullpen session of about 15 to 20 pitches, and while it wasn't a full workload, simply getting back on the mound is an encouraging sign in the right-hander's quest to return before season's end. Harvey's 2025 season has been marred by injuries, but he's delivered when available by tossing 12 scoreless appearances.

Guerrero (elbow) began a rehab assignment with High-A Greenville on Tuesday and worked around three walks and one hit in a scoreless inning in his first appearance.

The one-inning outing marked Guerrero's first appearance at any level since June 27, as he's been on the shelf for two months while recovering from a right elbow strain. Guerrero is expected to eventually shift his rehab assignment to Triple-A Worcester, and once he gets a few more minor-league appearances under his belt, he could re-emerge as an option for Boston's bullpen.