MLB Player News

Jeffers will serve as the Twins' designated hitter and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Royals.

With Carlos Santana (illness) sitting out, Jeffers will be included in the lineup for the fifth time in six games. Jeffers has made three starts at catcher and two at DH during that stretch, but he'll likely fall back into more of a timeshare behind the plate with Christian Vazquez and see his opportunities at DH diminish once Santana is healthy again.

Turner is starting at first base and batting fifth Sunday against the Cardinals.

The 39-year-old was poised to sit Sunday in St. Louis but will instead start the contest since Victor Robles (elbow) was scratched. Turner is off to a slow start in September, as he's gone 4-for-20 with four walks, a double, an RBI and two runs in six games.

Manager Matt Quatraro said Sunday that Lorenzen (hamstring) is expected to make a rehab start Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The Royals haven't specified which minor-league affiliate Lorenzen will report to for the rehab assignment. He's recovering from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain sustained in late August, so Lorenzen may need just one rehab outing to get back up to speed, though a clearer timeline for his return from the 15-day injured list will likely emerge once he's completed the start.

Coulombe (elbow) will start his rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday according to pitching coach Drew French, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Coulombe threw a live batting practice session Tuesday and is now ready for game action. Considering he's been out since mid-June after undergoing surgery to remove bone chips from his left elbow, it'll likely take a handful of rehab appearances before Coulombe is ready to return to the majors. He remains on track to be activated prior to the end of the regular season.

Thomas went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 7-2 loss to the Dodgers.

Thomas answered the Dodgers' six-run first inning with a homer in the second, but that was the extent of the Guardians' scoring in the game. After starting his Cleveland tenure on a sour note, Thomas has bounced back, hitting .342 (13-for-38) with two homers and three stolen bases over his last 14 games. He's posted a .239/.317/.384 slash line with 10 homers, 32 steals, 48 RBI and 55 runs scored over 111 contests between the Guardians and the Nationals this year. With Daniel Schneemann and Jhonkensy Noel both struggling of late, Thomas has begun to carve out a decent share of playing time versus right-handers in addition to playing regularly versus southpaws.

Robles (elbow) was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Robles was initially set to start in right field but is still feeling the effects of being hit by a pitch in the elbow Friday, so he'll instead be held out of the lineup for a second straight game. The 27-year-old will also have Monday's team off day to aid in his recovery ahead of Tuesday's series opener versus the Padres.

Varsho is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta.

Varsho will hit the bench Sunday after a run of four straight starts, during which he went 3-for-17 with a homer and six strikeouts. Joey Loperfido will shift to center field while Davis Schneider starts in left against Atlanta southpaw Chris Sale.

Santana (illness) is absent from Sunday's lineup against Kansas City.

Santana left in the fifth inning of Saturday's game due to an illness, and he will sit for the series finale Sunday. Jose Miranda will start at first base while Ryan Jeffers serves as the designated hitter.

Bregman went 1-for-4 with two RBI and a walk Saturday against Arizona.

Bregman didn't hit a ball out of the infield but managed a productive game. He's battled elbow soreness since Aug. 16 and has been in and out of the lineup, though his performance hasn't suffered significantly. Across 13 games and 48 at-bats in that span, Bregman has homered twice with four RBI and four runs scored while hitting .250.

Isbel is absent from Sunday's lineup against Minnesota.

Isbel will sit Sunday after going 1-for-5 with one RBI and two runs scored across the first two games of the series. Garrett Hampson will start in center field and bat ninth.