MLB Player News

Westburg (hip) will start at second base and bat sixth in Thursday's game versus the Yankees.

Westburg had to depart Tuesday's contest with a bruised left hip and then didn't play Wednesday, but he's back in there for Thursday's rubber match. With Westburg handling second base, Ramon Urias will be at the hot corner.

Kepler exited Thursday's game against the Rays because of neck spasms, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Kepler tweaked his neck while sliding into first base when he attempted to bunt for a hit in the first inning. He should be considered day-to-day for now, but the Twins could provide more information on Kepler's status after the game.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that Dominguez will be out for up to eight weeks at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre due to a "significant" left oblique strain, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Boone labeled Dominguez's oblique strain as "moderate" Wednesday, but the injury now appears to be more severe than the Yankees initially believed. The 21-year-old outfielder already missed the first two-plus months of the Triple-A season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and an eight-week return timeline will keep him out of action until at least mid-August.

Rice is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Orioles.

Rice started at first base in each of his first two games after being promoted, going 2-for-7 with a walk. He'll begin this one on the bench, with DJ LeMahieu handling the cold corner and Oswaldo Cabrera the hot corner.

Judge (hand) will start in center field and bat third in Thursday's game against the Orioles.

Judge was removed from Tuesday's 4-2 win over Baltimore after being hit by a pitch on the left hand and sat out Wednesday's 7-6 loss, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go in the series finale Thursday. He and his teammates will face left-hander Cole Irvin.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Thursday that Colas may be optioned to Triple-A Charlotte soon in order to play on an everyday basis, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Colas hasn't started a game in a week, and while Grifol said he plans to put the outfielder in the lineup soon, he admitted that it might be more beneficial for the 25-year-old to go back to the minors. The outfielder has gone 9-for-30 at the plate during his limited chances with the White Sox this season, although all nine hits have been singles. Chicago will be sellers at the trade deadline, and playing time for Colas could open up at that point.

The Royals placed Altavilla on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right oblique strain, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The reliever suffered the injury during an appearance in Wednesday's game against the Athletics. It's not clear how long Altavilla might be sidelined, but oblique strains often result in IL stays of beyond 15 days.

The Royals recalled Cruz from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

With Dan Altavilla (oblique) headed for the injured list, the Royals will bring up Cruz to help replenish their bullpen depth. The 25-year-old has spent all season with Omaha, posting a 4.50 ERA and 1.42 WHIP through 26 innings. He allowed seven earned runs through 12.2 frames during his time in the majors last season and will likely only be used during low-leverage situations.

Kepler was lifted from Thursday's game against the Rays in the first inning with an undisclosed injury, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Kepler was trying to bunt for a hit in his first plate appearance and hurt himself while sliding into first base. It's not clear what injury the outfielder is dealing with, but the Twins should have more on Kepler's status soon.

Volpe went 3-for-4 with a double, a walk and two runs Wednesday in an extra-inning loss to Baltimore.

Volpe set the table well out of the leadoff spot, reaching base four times and notching his sixth effort of at least three hits this season. The second-year shortstop came up with a clutch hit in the ninth inning, doubling to left field and later coming home to score the game-tying run on a Giancarlo Stanton single. Volpe had been struggling coming into Wednesday, going 3-for-23 with seven strikeouts over his previous five contests.