MLB Player News

Rafaela is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Mariners.

Rafaela started the first two games of the series and reached base four times, but he'll take a seat in Thursday's matinee. Kristian Campbell is in center field for the Red Sox, while David Hamilton is getting a start at second base.

Jeffers is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the White Sox.

He will yield to Christian Vazquez at catcher for Thursday's matinee. Jeffers had started each of the previous seven contests, including six of them at catcher.

Bader is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest against the White Sox.

Bader had started each of the previous four games but will grab a seat for Thursday's series finale. DaShawn Keirsey is playing left field and batting eighth for the Twins.

Castro (oblique) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the White Sox.

It marks six straight games Castro has been absent from the lineup due to a right oblique injury. The Twins are going with Brooks Lee at third base and Edouard Julien at second base Thursday.

Sugano came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Nationals, giving up three runs on five hits over seven innings. He struck out one without walking a batter.

The 35-year-old MLB rookie served up homers to James Wood and Josh Bell in the first inning, but Sugano kept his focus and kept Washington off the board for the rest of his time on the mound. He's produced quality starts in back-to-back outings and has yet to allow more than three runs in any of his first five starts for the Orioles despite a lack of dominance -- he managed only four swinging strikes among his 94 pitches (56 strikes) Wednesday. Sugano will take a 3.54 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 9:5 K:BB through 28 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Yankees.

Newcomb (0-3) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings as the Red Sox fell 8-5 to the Mariners. He struck out eight.

The Ks were a season high for the southpaw and he completed five innings for the first time, but Newcomb also served up his first homer of the season -- a three-run shot by J.P. Crawford in the fourth inning -- and he's issued multiple walks in all five of his outings. With Lucas Giolito (hamstring) set to come off the IL next week, Newcomb may have made his last start for Boston, but it's not clear if he'll shift to the bullpen or get bumped off the 26-man roster when that happens. Through 22.1 innings, Newcomb carries a 4.43 ERA, 1.93 WHIP and 27:11 K:BB.

Crawford went 2-for-4 with a walk, a home run and four RBI in Wednesday's 8-5 win over the Red Sox.

His three-run homer off Sean Newcomb in the fourth inning was the big blow on the night for the M's. It was Crawford's first long ball of the season, continuing a hot stretch that has seen the shortstop bat .351 (13-for-37) over his last 11 games with seven runs and 10 RBI.

Munoz struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his eighth save of the season in an 8-5 win over the Red Sox.

The right-hander continued his dominant start to the season. Munoz has yet to allow a run in 12 appearances, posting a 0.83 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB, and his eight saves lead the American League.

Hancock (1-1) picked up the win Wednesday in an 8-5 victory over the Red Sox, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

The seven Ks were a career high for Hancock, who racked up an impressive 32 called or swinging strikes among his 92 pitches (62 total strikes). With George Kirby (shoulder) not expected back until late May or early June, the Mariners have been scrambling to find a fifth starter, and Hancock's performance Wednesday should buy him more time in the role. Over his last two outings, the right-hander has a 3.27 ERA and 11:2 K:BB in 11 innings. He lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Angels.

Casas went 1-for-3 with a walk and a three-run home run in Wednesday's 8-5 loss to Seattle.

Casas repeated the same line he had Tuesday. He'd gone 14 games without a home run before going deep the last two days. The two homers are a hopeful sign that the first baseman is set to emerge from a slump that has him hitting .171 with a .570 OPS through 91 plate appearances.