MLB Player News

Sheets (heel) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Colorado.

Sheets will be absent from the starting lineup for a second consecutive game since being removed Wednesday with a left heel contusion. While it's possible he wouldn't have been in the lineup even if fully healthy, Sheets should still be considered day-to-day.

Valdez is out of the lineup for Friday's game against San Diego, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Despite the Red Sox facing a right-hander in Randy Vasquez, Valdez will take a seat, yielding to David Hamilton at second base while Ceddanne Rafaela fills in at shortstop. Valdez is slashing .212/.267/.404 with six home runs in 162 plate appearances this season.

The Orioles recalled Krook from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

Krook will supply some short-term depth for the Orioles' bullpen with Corbin Burnes hitting the paternity list. Krook hasn't appeared in an MLB game this season and owns a 3.71 ERA across 26.2 innings with Norfolk in 2024.

The Orioles placed Burnes on the paternity leave list Friday.

Burnes will likely be away for the remainder of the series against the Rangers as he welcomes a new addition to the family. The righty started Thursday's series opener and should be back in time for his next turn, which is tentatively lined up to come next week in Seattle.

Loftin went 0-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Guardians.

Loftin has gone just 4-for-41 (.098) with a 5:10 BB:K over his last 14 contests. The versatile infielder got the start at third base for the second game in a row after CJ Alexander was at the hot corner for the two previous contests. The Royals are limiting Michael Massey to designated hitter to ease him in after another back injury, but once he's able to play the field, Loftin's usage is like to decrease. Loftin is slashing just .223/.322/.282 with one home run, one steal, 13 RBI and 14 runs scored over 122 plate appearances.

Fletcher (shoulder) has been sent to the White Sox' Arizona Complex League affiliate to begin a rehab assignment, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Fletcher has missed most of this month after suffering a left shoulder strain, but he's been cleared to test things out in a game setting. The 26-year-old figures to eventually move up to a higher affiliate to continue his rehab, but it isn't necessarily a given he'll rejoin the major-league roster once activated from the 10-day injured list.

Long (2-1) walked one and struck out four over 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the win Thursday over the Guardians.

Long worked in the sixth and seventh innings after a strong start from Michael Wacha. The Royals pulled ahead 2-1 in the sixth inning, and Long did his part to keep the score there. The southpaw has been scored on in just three of his 14 appearances this season, pitching to a 1.98 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB over 13.2 innings in a low-leverage role. The Royals' bullpen has been a weak spot this year, so it's possible Long could find himself in a more prominent role if he continues to have success.

Calhoun went 1-for-4 with a solo home run against the Tigers in a 5-0 win Thursday.

Calhoun hit one of three Angels homers in the contest, smashing a solo shot in the fourth inning. The long ball was just his second through 162 plate appearances this season, though the veteran has also recorded 12 doubles. Calhoun has been a nice addition to Los Angeles' lineup with a .280/.327/.400 slash line and 13.6 strikeout rate while serving as the team's primary DH against right-handed pitching.

Sano went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a 5-0 victory against Detroit on Thursday.

Sano got a second straight start and put the Angels on the board in the first inning with a solo shot to center field. On a less positive note, the veteran slugger struck out in his other three at-bats, and he's fanned five times over nine plate appearances since returning from the injured list June 25. Sano's big-league resume suggests he can offer the Angels plenty of pop, but his 40 percent strikeout rate on the campaign highlights his primary weakness as a hitter.

Cespedes is day-to-day with left hand soreness and is expected to make his debut for Single-A Salem next week, Chris Hatfield of SoxProspects.com reports.

This explains why Cespedes has not played since getting promoted to Single-A on Tuesday. He slashed .319/.400/.615 with five home runs and an 18.1 percent strikeout rate in 25 games in the Florida Complex League.