MLB Player News

Manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that he expects Schmidt (elbow/forearm) to play catch Thursday, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Schmidt's live batting practice session Tuesday was cut short due to cramping in his forearm, but the issue doesn't seem to be serious enough to warrant pausing his throwing program entirely. Assuming he gets through Thursday's round of catch without any issues, he'll throw a bullpen session over the weekend and could resume facing live hitters shortly afterward.

Baez isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners.

Baez will take a seat Wednesday after going 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored during Tuesday's win in the series opener. While Baez sits, Kevin McGonigle will start at shortstop, and Colt Keith will man the hot corner.

Manager Derek Shelton said Wednesday that Ryan is scheduled to undergo further evaluation for a lower-body injury, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Shelton said that Ryan's injury has left him physically unable to replicate his delivery, which helps to explain why the 30-year-old has given up 16 earned runs in just 15.1 innings since the All-Star break. It remains unclear what exactly he's dealing with, but his next start -- lined up for Sunday against the Brewers -- is in jeopardy as the team waits for a diagnosis.

McNeil will start at first base and bat fifth in Wednesday's game against the Reds.

McNeil will be included in the lineup for a third straight game and appears to have reclaimed a regular starting role against right-handed pitching in the wake of Nick Kurtz's (thumb) move to the injured list. The 34-year-old has been dialed in at the dish since the All-Star break, slashing .413/.438/.522 with one home run, two steals, nine RBI and six runs in 15 games.

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

The Athletics have been shielding the left-handed-hitting Cortes against left-handed pitching, but he'll take a seat against a righty (Rhett Lowder) on Wednesday after going 0-for-4 with a walk while starting the previous two contests. Jacob Wilson will get a break from playing shortstop but will remain in the lineup as Cortes' replacement at designated hitter.

Martinez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets.

The switch-hitting Martinez will be on the bench for a third straight matchup versus a right-handed pitcher (Christian Scott) and could have to settle for a short-side platoon role until his bat begins to warm back up. Since coming back from the injured list July 24, Martinez has gone just 3-for-26 (.115 average) with a 1:7 BB:K in nine games.

Williamson was removed from Wednesday's game against the Rockies due to a hamstring injury, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Williamson seemingly injured himself while running to first base in the ninth inning and had to be helped down the steps into the dugout. The Rays will take a closer look at him and should provide more information on his status ahead of Friday's series opener in Seattle.

Encarnacion-Strand will start at third base and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Angels.

The Orioles' decision to deal Taylor Ward to the Mariners prior to Monday's trade deadline appears to have reopened playing time for Encarnacion-Strand, who will be included in the lineup for the fourth game in a row after starting just once in the four contests prior to that. The 26-year-old brings intriguing power potential to the table, but a 26.5 percent career strikeout rate in the big leagues has gotten in the way of him enjoying sustained success. He's kept his rate at a much more palatable 19.1 percent so far during his time in Baltimore, albeit in small sample of just 47 plate appearances.

Taveras is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels.

The switch-hitting Taveras will head to the bench for the second straight game, with the Orioles having gone up against both a righty (Grayson Rodriguez) and a lefty (Reid Detmers) during that stretch. Trade-deadline pickup Christian Franklin has picked up starts in both of those contests and could wind up being prioritized in the outfield ahead of Taveras, who has gone just 2-for-35 at the plate over his last 11 games.

Beavers is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels.

Lefty Reid Detmers is on the hill for the Angels, so the left-handed-hitting Beavers will retreat to the bench Wednesday. Tyler O'Neill will draw a start in right field in place of Beavers.