MLB Player News

Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said after the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs that Gasper (biceps) will undergo an MRI, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Gasper was forced from the matinee with right biceps discomfort, and the team has ordered imaging to get a better read on his condition. The Red Sox are already facing the possibility of being without Willson Contreras (hand) in the wild-card round, and if both Contreras and Gasper are unavailable, Nick Sogard may be needed at first base.

Gimenez is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Reds.

With southpaw Nick Lodolo on the bump for Cincinnati, Gimenez will give way to Ernie Clement at shortstop as Charles McAdoo starts at second base. Gimenez is slashing .267/.313/.400 with one home and one steal in 17 games this month around a brief absence due to hamstring soreness.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz indicated Friday that Alexander (back) will not be activated from the 10-day injured list before the end of the season, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Alexander has been out since early September with back spasms. His back is still bothing him, so the out-of-contention Orioles won't press the issue. Alexander was limited to 93 games this season due to injury but was a valuable super utility player when on the field, slashing .303/.358/.414 with four home runs and 10 stolen bases. The 27-year-old will likely have a similar role with the Orioles in 2027.

Gasper was removed from the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs due to right biceps discomfort, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Gasper has been a surprisingly productive player for Boston this season, slashing .251/.357/.466 with 10 homers in 67 games, but his availability for the rest of the weekend is up in the air in light of this injury. If healthy, Gasper figures to factor in heavily during the wild-card round, especially if Willson Contreras (hand) remains out.

Bateman (hip) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds.

Bateman hasn't played since Monday due to right hip discomfort, but his MRI was negative and the Blue Jays have not officially closed the door on him playing again this season. Charles McAdoo will get a turn in the leadoff spot Friday against left-hander Nick Lodolo.

Torres is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Pirates.

It's the second game in a row and the ninth time this month that Torres has been absent from the lineup. The 29-year-old is an impending free agent and the Tigers have been eliminated from postseason contention, so Torres could continue to see limited reps in the final weekend of the regular season. Detroit has Hao-Yu Lee at second base and Eduardo Valencia at designated hitter Friday.

Clark will start in center field and bat leadoff in Friday's contest against the Pirates.

It's the first time in his young big-league career that Clark has batted higher than sixth. The rookie outfielder has not shown signs of slowing down late in the season, slashing .353/.458/.500 with one home run, four stolen bases and an 11:14 BB:K over 20 September games.

The Rays reinstated Rodriguez (back) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

After logging a trio of rehab appearances with Triple-A Durham, Rodriguez returns to the big-league bullpen, replacing Jake Woodford. Rodriguez has made just four appearances for the Rays so far this season in between IL stints, after taking the ball 31 times for Tampa Bay last regular season.

The Rays designated Woodford for assignment Friday.

Woodford was called up Thursday to provide innings, and he ended up allowing three runs on three hits and a walk while striking out two over 1.1 frames in the series finale against the Yankees. Manuel Rodriguez (back) was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move.

The Blue Jays recalled Klein from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

Klein has spent nearly all of the 2026 campaign at the Triple-A level, holding a 6.36 ERA and 95:51 K:BB over 86.1 innings. The 24-year-old will be available to absorb some innings this weekend as the Blue Jays close out the regular season.