MLB Player News

Rice isn't in the Yankees' lineup Saturday against the Cardinals.

Rice went 0-for-3 in Friday's series opener after missing four consecutive games, and he'll take a seat again Saturday even though the right-handed Kyle Gibson will start on the hill for St. Louis. Oswaldo Cabrera will fill in as New York's first baseman and bat ninth.

Valdez came away with a no-decision in Friday's 3-2 win over the Royals, walking three batters over seven no-hit, scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

The southpaw closed the books on August the same way he started it, by teasing a no-hitter, but Valdez left the mound after 98 pitches (60 strikes) with Houston clinging to a 1-0 lead that Josh Hader eventually squandered. The quality start was Valdez's 14th of the year, and he didn't give up more than three runs in any of his five August outings, posting a 1.59 ERA, 0.65 WHIP and 38:9 K:BB through 34 innings on the month. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Diamondbacks.

Stanton isn't in the Yankees' lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

Stanton will get a breather Saturday after going 1-for-4 with a run scored and three strikeouts in Friday's series opener. Aaron Judge will replace him as New York's designated hitter, opening up center field for Trent Grisham to start and bat seventh.

Blanco went 0-for-1 with a walk and a stolen base in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Astros.

The 31-year-old speedster got the start in left field and batted seventh, and he quickly took advantage of his only trip on the basepaths in the sixth inning. Blanco's career-high 25 steals have come in only 128 plate appearances, making him a true one-category fantasy asset as he has just four homers, 13 RBI and 32 runs on the year.

McArthur (5-6) took the loss Friday, giving up one run on two hits in two-thirds of an inning as the Royals fell 3-2 to the Astros.

With the game tied 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning, McArthur got the call and gave up a one-out single to Jake Meyers, setting the stage for Jose Altuve to walk it off with a double. With Lucas Erceg (hand) not 100 percent, the closer role is up for grabs again in Kansas City, at least in the short term, but McArthur may not be in the mix for save chances despite his 1.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB through 12 innings in August.

Lugo came away with a no-decision in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Astros, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out nine.

The veteran right-hander delivered his 19th quality start of the season and produced his highest strikeout total since he fanned 10 Guardians on June 30, but Lugo was never in line for a win as Framber Valdez no-hit the Royals through seven innings. Despite Friday's performance, Lugo has faded in the second half under a career-high workload, posting a 4.67 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 39:14 K:BB in 52 innings since the All-Star break. He's scheduled to make his next start at home next week in a key clash with the Cleveland squad that Kansas City is trying to catch in the AL Central.

Fairbanks (lat) will play catch Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Manager Kevin Cash relayed that Fairbanks is asymptomatic, which clears Fairbanks' path to resume throwing for the first time since landing on the injured list. He's not expected to return until late September.

Booser (elbow) could rejoin the Red Sox on Sunday when rosters expand, MLB.com reports.

Booser had a strong first outing Thursday on his rehab assignment, allowing one hit and striking out all three batters he faced during a scoreless inning. He's been on the 15-day injured list since Aug. 14 with left elbow inflammation.

Palacios (knee) resumed on-field activities Friday, MLB.com reports.

Palacios has been sidelined since Aug. 2, and this activity represents his first significant progress. He's expected to play in a complex league game Sept. 9 and could be activated shortly thereafter.

Wong went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and two RBI in Friday's 7-5 extra-inning win over Detroit.

Wong doubled a run home in the fourth inning and then increased Boston's lead with a homer in the sixth. He'd gone eight games without an RBI and 11 without a home run. The catcher's unsustainable BABIP from earlier in the season has caught up to him in the second half, but Wong continues to be a clutch hitter for the Red Sox, posting a .309 average with runners in scoring position.