MLB Player News

Noda is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Houston.

The left-handed-hitting Noda started at first base in both of the first two games of the series with righties on the mound for the Astros, but he'll take a seat as southpaw Framber Valdez goes to the hill in the finale. Tyler Nevin will play first base and bat seventh for Oakland.

Schuemann is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Houston.

Schuemann started both of the first two games of the series and reached base four times, but he'll get a breather for Thursday's matinee. Nick Allen will cover third base and bat ninth for the Athletics.

The Astros recalled King from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

King has been great out of the Houston bullpen this season, putting up a 2.05 ERA and 27:9 K:BB over 22 innings. He'll give manager Joe Espada another left-handed relief option.

The Astros recalled Kessinger from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

He will give the Astros another infielder while Jose Altuve (side) is banged up. Kessinger is hitless in 15 at-bats at the major-league level this season.

The Astros optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Hernandez made a pair of appearance during his brief most recent stint in the big leagues, allowing one run over two innings. The Astros have decided to sub out the right-hander in favor of lefty Bryan King, who was called up from Sugar Land.

The Astros placed McCormick on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a fractured right hand, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

McCormick suffered the injury during Tuesday's game versus the Athletics when he crashed into the outfield wall. The fracture is considered small, and he will be eligible to return during the final weekend of the regular season. However, it's unclear whether he has a shot to make it back by that time.

Vierling is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Rockies.

Zach McKinstry will be in right field for the series finale as Vierling gets a breather. Vierling reached base four times in the first two games of the series.

Cortes is slated to start Thursday's game against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Cortes will return to the New York rotation after he made his first relief appearance since the 2021 season in the Yankees' 2-0 win over the Cubs last Saturday, when he piggybacked Clarke Schmidt in the latter's return from the 60-day injured list. With both Schmidt and Luis Gil having recently been activated from the IL, the Yankees now have six healthy starters on hand, and one of those pitchers will likely lose his spot when the team condenses its rotation as the postseason approaches. Including his recent relief outing, Cortes has pitched well enough to maintain his rotation spot, as he'll head into Thursday's start with a 1.86 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in 29 innings over his past five appearances.

Lowe went 1-for-3 with a triple and a walk Wednesday against the Phillies.

Lowe was out of the lineup for five straight games due to a finger injury but returned to hit second and serve as the designated hitter Wednesday. He should serve in a large-side platoon role at second base so long as he is fully healthy.

Rasmussen (0-1) allowed one earned run in two hits and a walk while striking out one over 1.2 innings to take the loss against the Phillies.

Rasmussen has pitched in a multi-inning relief role since being activated from the injured list Aug. 7. He has been effective for the most part, turning in eight scoreless appearances in 11 chances while also tallying two holds. Even in Wednesday's loss, Rasmussen wasn't hit particularly hard as he surrendered two singles to account for the majority of the damage against him.