MLB Player News
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Chad Dallas RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Chad Dallas: Demoted to Triple-A
The Blue Jays optioned Dallas to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.
Toronto will swap Dallas out of its bullpen for a fresher right-handed arm in CJ Van Eyk, who was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move. Dallas is likely to re-enter the rotation at Triple-A after making his first two MLB appearances in relief for Toronto.
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Jake Fraley RF | TB
Rays' Jake Fraley: Pulled off rehab assignment
Fraley (groin) was pulled off his rehab assignment Sunday at Triple-A Durham after feeling something in the area of his hernia surgery, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Fraley was five games into his rehab assignment and didn't appear far off from being cleared to come off the injured list, but he's now headed to the doctor to be evaluated further. He's been on the shelf nearly two months and is already eligible to be reinstated, but it's uncertain how much longer he'll remain on the injured list.
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Alejandro Kirk C | TOR
Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Not starting Sunday
Kirk is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Kirk will get a day off for the final game of the first half after starting the previous three contests and going 4-for-12 with a walk, two doubles and two RBI in that span. Brandon Valenzuela will step in behind the plate to catch right-hander Kevin Gausman on Sunday.
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Brice Matthews LF | HOU
Astros' Brice Matthews: Exits with apparent injury
Matthews was lifted for a pinch hitter in the top of the second inning Sunday following a collision with the center-field wall while pursuing a flyball in the bottom of the first, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
With two outs in the inning, Matthews was unable to corral a Josh Jung deep fly, which ultimately fell in for a triple after Matthews' back and head collided with the outfield wall. Matthews was able to make the relay throw into the infield and remained in the game while Houston recorded the final out of the frame, but he was pulled from the contest before his first turn in the batting order came up. Taylor Trammell pinch hit for Matthews and will presumably cover center field for the remainder of the contest. The Astros should provide further word on the nature of Matthews' injury later Sunday.
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George Springer DH | TOR
Blue Jays' George Springer: On bench Sunday
Springer is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Springer started the past three games after missing six contests while on the paternity and family medical emergency list, but he'll take a seat Sunday for the final matchup before the All-Star break. Barring an appearance off the bench, the veteran slugger will finish the first half with a disappointing .218/.303/.374 slash line, nine home runs and six steals in 66 games.
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Alejandro Osuna LF | TEX
Rangers' Alejandro Osuna: Slips into reserve role
Osuna is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.
Osuna will remain on the bench for a third straight game. After filling the strong side of a platoon in the outfield for the better part of the last month, Osuna looks like he'll be stuck in a reserve role after Wyatt Langford returned from the injured list Thursday.
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Elias Diaz C | TEX
Rangers' Elias Diaz: Left out of starting nine
Diaz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.
Diaz will head to the bench for the third time in four games while the Rangers go with Kyle Higashioka behind the dish. Though he appeared to have supplanted Higashioka as the Rangers' preferred catcher while Danny Jansen (forearm) remains on the shelf, Diaz may have faded into a timeshare after going 3-for-19 (.158) with a 0:4 BB:K over his last six starts.
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Emiliano Teodo RP | TEX
Rangers' Emiliano Teodo: Getting big-league look
The Rangers recalled Teodo from Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.
Teodo will get his first look in the big leagues after producing a 3.76 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 52:35 K:BB across 40.2 innings out of the bullpen at Round Rock this season. He should fill a low-leverage relief role while he's up with the Rangers.
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Brice Matthews LF | HOU
Astros' Brice Matthews: Seizing control of CF job
Matthews will start in center field and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Rangers.
Matthews will cover center field for the fifth time in six games, with two of his starts during that stretch coming against right-handed pitchers. He had previously been handling a short-side platoon role, but Matthews looks like he's supplanted the struggling Taylor Trammell as the preferred option in center.
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Taylor Trammell LF | HOU
Astros' Taylor Trammell: Losing time in CF
Trammell is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.
On the bench for the fifth time in six games, Trammell looks to have ceded his role as the Astros' primary center field to Brice Matthews. Dating back to June 13, Trammell has produced a weak .128/.190/.359 slash line while striking out at a 31 percent clip over 18 games.