MLB Player News

Contreras (illness) is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.

Contreras was forced to depart Wednesday's game due to illness and will be given some additional rest Thursday. Nick Sogard will fill in at first base and is bat leadoff for the Red Sox in the series finale.

The Royals transferred Avila (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Avila is likely to remain sidelined until 2028 after undergoing Tommy John surgery Wednesday, so the Royals will stash him away on the 60-day IL. The move frees up a 40-man roster spot for Luke Little, who was claimed off waivers from the Cubs on Thursday.

Antonacci is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Boston.

Southpaw Ranger Suarez is drawing the start for the Red Sox, marking the fifth time in a row that the left-handed-hitting Antonacci has been out of the lineup versus a traditional lefty starter. Luisangel Acuna will play center field in Antonacci's stead.

The Royals claimed Little off waivers from the Cubs on Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Omaha.

Little lost his spot on Chicago's 40-man roster in the flurry of moves following Monday's trade deadline, but he'll reclaim a roster spot upon joining the Royals organization. He'll begin his tenure with the Royals organization at Triple-A, where he's logged a 5.70 ERA and 1.81 WHIP over 23.2 innings this season.

Major League Baseball suspended Speier for three games Thursday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Speier was ejected from Wednesday's game after intentionally hitting Gleyber Torres with a pitch and will now also receive a three-game ban for his actions. Speier will appeal the suspension, per McCosky, and he'll remain eligible to pitch until a final verdict is reached.

The Astros optioned Dezenzo to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Dezenzo has received only 19 plate appearances during the second half, going 3-for-18 with a 1:7 BB:K. The Astros will announce a corresponding roster move prior to Friday's game in San Diego.

Donovan is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Tigers.

Donovan returned from a nearly three-month long absence this week, going 1-for-7 at the plate in the first two games of the series. The Tigers are starting southpaw Framber Valdez in the series finale, but the left-handed-hitting Donovan not being in the lineup could be more about easing him back into action following a long layoff. Leo Rivas is handling third base in Donovan's stead.

Naylor is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Tigers.

It's the first day off since June 17 for Naylor, who is in a 42-game homerless drought. Weston Wilson will fill in at first base and bat sixth for the Mariners.

Raleigh is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Tigers.

Raleigh was hit by a pitch in the midsection during Wednesday's win over the Tigers, though he stayed in and finished the contest. He's likely sore, but his absence from Thursday's lineup could simply be due to it being an afternoon game after he started the last eight tilts. Jhonny Pereda will fill in at catcher in the series finale while Raleigh rests.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Yesavage has been diagnosed with meniscus damage in his left knee and will visit a specialist Monday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Yesavage had to be lifted from his start Tuesday against the Astros and was placed on the injured list Wednesday. Schneider noted that surgery for Yesavage "is always a possibility," but that determination will be made following his exam Monday. Even if an operation isn't required, Yesavage is likely to be sidelined for several weeks.