MLB Player News

Cheng is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.

The left-handed-hitting Cheng will hit the bench for the second time in the series, with both of his absences coming against lefty starters. Andruw Monasterio will receive the starting nod at shortstop, where he and Cheng appear likely to be used in a platoon until Trevor Story (sports hernia) or Marcelo Mayer (forearm) return from the injured list.

Narvaez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.

Narvaez will be given a break for the day game after he caught all nine innings and went 1-for-3 with an RBI during the Red Sox's 5-0 win Wednesday night. Connor Wong will check in for Narvaez behind the dish and will bat ninth.

Contreras' suspension for his actions in the June 30 game against the Nationals has been reduced from seven games to five games, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Contreras will begin serving the suspension Thursday and will be reinstated before the second game of a doubleheader versus the Rays on July 17. The first baseman had already been slated to sit out Thursday's game with a left foot contusion, but the injury should no longer be an issue by the time Contreras is eligible for reinstatement. Brett Harris is starting at first base for the Red Sox on Thursday, and he could share the position with Romy Gonzalez while Contreras is unavailable.

Duran is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.

After being included in the lineup against White Sox lefty Noah Schultz in Tuesday's series opener, the left-handed-hitting Duran will retreat to the bench for the finale while southpaw Anthony Kay toes the rubber for Chicago. Nate Eaton will step in for Duran in left field and will bat seventh.

Caratini is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Guardians.

Caratini will receive the afternoon off after starting behind the plate in each of the Twins' last three games. Alex Jackson will handle catching duties for Minnesota in the series finale.

Kreidler is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Guardians.

Tristan Gray will cover shortstop in the series finale while Kreidler rests for the matinee game. Kreidler had drawn starts at shortstop or center field in each of Minnesota's last nine games, slashing .147/.194/.265 with one home run, three RBI and four runs during that span.

Schneemann will start in center field and bat seventh in Thursday's game against the Twins.

Schneemann started just twice in a seven-game stretch from June 27 through last Friday, but the Guardians may be preparing to give him another look as a near-everyday player. He's been included in the lineup in four of the Guardians' last five games, making two starts at third base, one at shortstop and now one in center. The outfield could represent Schneemann's clearest path to playing time in the short term after the Guardians optioned rookie Cooper Ingle to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

Cowser is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs.

Cowser will head to the bench for the second time in the series while the Cubs send another lefty starter (David Peterson) to the hill. Leody Taveras will replace Cowser in center field and will bat ninth.

Beavers is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs.

The left-handed-hitting Beavers was included in the lineup Tuesday against Cubs southpaw Matthew Boyd, but the outfielder will head to the bench for the finale while Chicago sends another lefty (David Peterson) to the bump. Tyler O'Neill will replace Beavers in right field and will bat fifth.

Mullins is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Yankees.

Mullins will receive a breather for Thursday's matinee after he had started in each of the Rays' last eight games. Victor Mesa will cover center field in place of Mullins and will bat in the cleanup spot.