MLB Player News

Lowe is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Orioles with ligament inflammation on both sides of his middle finger, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

The Rays are trying to get the inflammation to "calm down," per manager Kevin Cash, but right now they're unsure how long it's going to take before Lowe can return to action. The second baseman had his finger wrapped prior to Friday's game and will be sent for further evaluation. Jose Caballero is starting at second base Friday against right-hander Dean Kremer, with Taylor Walls at shortstop.

Blanco will be available out of the bullpen for this weekend's series against the Diamondbacks, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Manager Joe Espada confirmed, however, that the Astros will be returning to a six-man rotation following Monday's team off day, which means Blanco will be back in the rotation next weekend in Anaheim. Chances are, the right-hander will return to the bullpen for the postseason, but with Houston not having another day off after Monday until Sept. 26, Blanco could perhaps make two more starts before the end of the campaign. He's already thrown a career-high 148.1 innings in 2024.

Manager John Schneider said Friday that the plan is for Bichette (calf) to join Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Bichette is expected to need 4-5 games with the affiliate before he's cleared to rejoin the big-league roster. Sidelined since mid-July with a right calf strain, Bichette has been able to run the bases several times this week and will remain with the Blue Jays in Atlanta through the weekend. He's in the midst of a down year with a .222/.275/.320 slash line through 80 games, and there are questions about his future in Toronto.

Lee was scratched from the lineup for Friday's game against the Red Sox with back tightness, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Chuckie Robinson is now slated to do the catching for starting pitcher Davis Martin. Lee ended August on a 2-for-21 slide and is just 1-for-7 to open September.

Weaver worked around a walk in a scoreless ninth inning against the Cubs on Friday en route to his first career save. He struck out two batters.

Isaac Paredes made Weaver work for the final out, but Weaver ultimately shut the door on his 25th pitch to earn the first save of his nine-year MLB career. Manager Aaron Boone said earlier in the week that the club would get "creative" with the closer role in light of Clay Holmes' struggles in the ninth inning, and while Weaver has not been part of the saves mix until now, he leads the team in holds and would appear to have the leg up for save chances down the stretch.

Mountcastle (wrist) hit off a tee Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Mountcastle is making a little progress but did not offer a timeline for his return. This marks the first reported time Mountcastle has swung a bat since going on the injured list Aug. 26 due to a sprained wrist. Ryan O'Hearn has been starting at first base while Eloy Jimenez mans designated hitter most days.

Hendriks (elbow) had a minor setback in his rehab this week but said Friday that he remains convinced he will return this season, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

The setback prevented Hendriks from making rehab appearances on back-to-back days this week, as had been previously planned. Hendriks also said that while he expects to be effective upon his return, he thinks his stuff will fully bounce back to pre-surgery levels in 2025, when he will be under contract with Boston for one more season.

Eisert was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

Eisert was called up Sunday but did not get into a game with the big club this time around. Luis Frias will take his place in the Jays' bullpen.

Frias was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo prior to Friday's game against Atlanta.

The 26-year-old righty gave up seven earned runs in 6.1 innings out of Arizona's bullpen earlier this year. Frias did not allow an earned run while striking out 11 in 8.1 innings while at Triple-A since getting claimed by the Blue Jays.

Polanco is not in Friday's lineup against the Cardinals.

Polanco will head to the bench for the second time in three games after starting the previous three. Dylan Moore is getting the start at second base, even with righty Erick Fedde on the hill for St. Louis.