MLB Player News

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Monday that Urias (ankle) is still using crutches and isn't sure when the infielder might return, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Urias suffered a right ankle sprain Saturday in Colorado and was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday. The Orioles have not provided further details in regard to the severity, but it would appear to be something that could keep Urias shelved beyond 10 days. Coby Mayo and Emmanuel Rivera have each received a start at third base in Urias' stead.

Mountcastle (wrist) has yet to resume swinging a bat, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde admitted Monday that while Mountcastle's sprained left wrist is feeling better, he has "no idea" regarding a potential timetable for the first baseman's return. Mountcastle initially suffered the injury Aug. 22 before landing on the 10-day injured list Aug. 26. Ryan O'Hearn and Emmanuel Rivera have been handling first base with Mountcastle out.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Blanco is the most likely candidate to move to the bullpen when the team shifts to a five-man rotation, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The Astros have been utilizing a six-man rotation since Justin Verlander returned from the injured list in late August, but a move back a traditional five-man setup is imminent. Blanco's next turn would come up Sunday against the Diamondbacks, but it's not clear whether he will take the ball that day or move to the bullpen before then. The 31-year-old has been a godsend for the Astros' rotation this season, but he does have a 4.35 ERA in the second half and is already more than 20 innings past last year's workload. Blanco was used almost exclusively in relief from 2018-22.

Buxton (hip) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.

Buxton will start in center field for the Triple-A club Monday in what will be his first game action since he went on the injured list in mid-August with right hip inflammation. He is slated to play seven innings for St. Paul on Monday and nine innings for the affiliate Wednesday before being activated from the 10-day injured list Friday, assuming all goes well.

Brennan is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Royals.

Kyle Manzardo will replace Brennan in the lineup for a second straight game, with manager Stephen Vogt opting to reward the rookie with another start after he slugged two solo home runs and drew a walk in his return from Triple-A Columbus in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Pirates. Though Brennan has a longer track record at the big-league level, Manzardo is regarded as one of the organization's top prospects and unquestionably brings more upside to the table. If Manzardo can turn in another productive day at the plate Monday, he would build a stronger case for supplanting Brennan as the Guardians' primary designated hitter versus right-handed pitching.

Schneemann is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Royals.

The lefty-hitting Schneemann will take a seat against a right-handed starter (Michael Wacha) for the second day in a row. Manager Stephen Vogt looks to be rewarding Lane Thomas will another turn in center field after Thomas went 3-for-4 with an RBI in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Pirates. Despite his success Sunday, Thomas is still slashing just .212/.289/.330 against right-handed pitching this season, so he might have more work to do before firmly displacing Schneemann as the preferred option in center field.

Manzardo will start at designated hitter and bat sixth in Monday's game versus the Royals.

Manzardo earned a second straight start after cranking his first two major-league home runs in Sunday's victory over the Pirates. The path is there for the 24-year-old to pick up regular playing time for the Guardians down the stretch, but he'll have to perform. Manzardo slashed just .207/.241/.329 with a 26.4 percent strikeout rate over 30 games in his first stint in the majors.

Bregman (elbow) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Reds, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

For the fourth straight contest, Bregman will be on the bench while he continues to work through an elbow issue, though the worst of it seems to be behind him at this point. According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, Astros manager Joe Espada said Sunday the swelling in Bregman's right elbow is almost gone, which bodes well for the 30-year-old's chances of returning to the lineup at some point during the Astros' series in Cincinnati. With a team off day on tap Tuesday, Bregman will get an additional day to heal up before the Astros and Reds resume their three-game set Wednesday.

Caratini is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Reds.

Caratini had seen an uptick in playing time lately while the Astros continue to rotate a number of different players at first base, but he'll hit the bench for a second straight matchup against a right-handed pitcher. The lefty-hitting Jon Singleton has started at first base in both of those games and looks to be the Astros' preferred option for now, though he doesn't have much job security.

Santana is absent from the lineup for Monday's game in Tampa Bay.

Santana was also out of the lineup for Sunday's win over the Blue Jays, although he received a couple plate appearances off the bench. The veteran switch hitter has gone 5-for-29 at the plate over his last nine contests, and the slump might be starting to cost him some playing time. Jose Miranda will pick up a second straight start at first base.