MLB Player News

Cortes will serve as the Athletics' designated hitter and No. 6 batter in Sunday's game against the Tigers.

The left-handed-hitting Cortes had started just once in the last eight games, though he had a bit of an unlucky runout with the Athletics facing just one right-handed starter during that stretch. Cortes should be fairly secure in a strong-side platoon role until the Athletics get at least two of Zack Gelof (knee), Denzel Clarke (hamstring) and Joshua Kuroda-Grauer (testicle) back from the injured list.

Williams will start at shortstop and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Williams will cover shortstop for the series finale while Jacob Wilson is day-to-day with a patellar tendinitis. Though Williams had been included in the lineup in six of the Athletics' previous seven games, each of those starts came against left-handed pitching. The Athletics could still prioritize Tommy White, Donovan Walton and Jeff McNeil over Williams for reps in the infield versus righties.

Greene is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.

Greene will exit the lineup for the first time since June 29 in what appears to be a planned rest day. Ben Malgeri will step in for Greene in left field and will bat eighth.

Keith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.

The left-handed-hitting Keith will hit the bench for the second time in the series while the Athletics send another southpaw (Gage Jump) to the bump. With Keith on the bench, Hao-Yu Lee will draw the start at third base while Dillon Dingler serves as the Tigers' designated hitter.

Baez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.

After being activated from the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Baez started in each of the Tigers' ensuing four games -- twice in center field, twice at shortstop -- and went 8-for-19 with a double, five RBI and five runs. Baez is likely to see the bulk of his playing time at shortstop moving forward, as top prospect Max Clark was called up Friday and is poised to serve as the Tigers' everyday center fielder. Kevin McGonigle will shift over from third base to cover shortstop Sunday in what likely amounts to a planned rest day for Baez.

The Blue Jays acquired Taillon from the Cubs on Sunday in exchange for cash or a player to be named later, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

The veteran right-hander was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Monday, and the Blue Jays elected to secure his services via trade rather than risk another team claiming him on waivers. Unless Toronto shifts to a six-man rotation, Taillon doesn't cleanly fit into the club's starting plans, but that could change soon with Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber being candidates to be moved ahead of Monday's trade deadline.

Contreras (head) will start at first bae and bat cleanup Sunday against the Dodgers, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

The veteran slugger was held out of the lineup for Saturday's 3-2 win after being hit in the head by a pitch Friday, but he's good to go for Sunday's series finale in Los Angeles. Contreras will attempt to carry his hot bat into August after closing July with a .323/.488/.629 slash line in 20 games.

Siri is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

After drawing starts in left field in the first two contests of the series while the Brewers sent a pair of lefties to the mound, the right-handed-hitting Siri will move back to the bench while righty Jacob Misiorowski toes the rubber for Milwaukee in the finale. Siri owns a strong .771 OPS over 120 plate appearances with the Angels this season, but he appears to be stuck in the short side of a platoon in the outfield while all of Mike Trout, Jorge Soler, Jo Adell and Josh Lowe are available.

D'Arnaud is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

D'Arnaud will take a seat for the series finale, but he looks to be the Angels' new No. 1 catcher after Logan O'Hoppe was traded to the Rangers on Wednesday. Tyler Heineman will get the nod behind the dish in place of d'Arnaud, who went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts while starting the first two contests of the series.

Soler is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

The Angels will hand Soler the afternoon off after he started in the first two games of the series and went 1-for-8 with a double and an RBI. With Soler on the bench, Mike Trout will get a day off from playing center field but will stick in the lineup at designated hitter.