MLB Player News

Valdez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

The lefty-hitting Valdez will exit the starting nine while the Phillies bring southpaw Cristopher Sanchez to the hill. The Red Sox will turn to the right-handed-hitting Jamie Westbrook to replace Valdez at the keystone.

Refsnyder will start in right field and bat second in Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

Refsnyder will pick up his eighth consecutive start Wednesday, but his run of regular playing time could come to an abrupt end in the coming days. In addition to bringing back Masataka Yoshida from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, the Red Sox returned another key regular to the lineup in Tyler O'Neill (knee), who will serve as Boston's designated hitter Wednesday following a three-game absence. Assuming O'Neill is cleared to play the corner outfield in the near future, Refsnyder could soon be relegated to a short-side platoon role. Wilyer Abreu (ankle) is also close to a return from the 10-day IL to further muddle Refsnyder's path to seeing steady at-bats versus right-handed pitching.

Dalbec will start at first base and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

Dalbec will stay in the lineup for the fourth time in five games, making his second start at first base during that stretch while the lefty-hitting Dominic Smith hits the bench against Phillies southpaw Cristopher Sanchez. Though Dalbec had also recently picked up starts at third base and in right field, he likely won't see many more opportunities at those positions moving forward after Masataka Yoshida returned from the injured list Tuesday and after Tyler O'Neill (knee) rejoined the lineup Wednesday following a three-game absence. Instead, Dalbec looks like he'll be stuck in the short side of a platoon with Smith.

Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

With lefty Cristopher Sanchez on the hill for Philadelphia, the lefty-hitting Smith will hit the bench after starting in each of the last three contests. Bobby Dalbec will check in at first base Wednesday and could end up serving as Smith's regular platoon mate moving forward in the wake of Garrett Cooper being designated for assignment.

Yoshida is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Yoshida returned from the 10-day injured list Tuesday and started at designated hitter in Boston's 4-1 loss, going 0-for-2 with a walk. Though he should serve as Boston's primary DH now that he's healthy again, Yoshida will give way to Tyler O'Neill on Wednesday. O'Neill missed the Red Sox's previous three games and is being eased back into the lineup in a non-defensive role, but he should eventually see regular starts in the corner outfield to keep the DH spot open for Yoshida.

O'Neill (knee) will serve as Boston's designated hitter and No. 3 batter in Wednesday's game against the Phillies, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

O'Neill hadn't played in any of the Red Sox's last three games due to right knee inflammation and looked to be at risk of a return to the 10-day injured list, but the 28-year-old was apparently able to show enough improvement over the last few days to avoid being deactivated again. Masataka Yoshida should settle in as the Red Sox's primary DH after returning from the IL on Tuesday, but he'll hit the bench Wednesday to facilitate O'Neill's return to the lineup. It's unclear when the Red Sox might be comfortable with having O'Neill make starts in the corner outfield.

Ellis is expected to be optioned to the minors prior to Wednesday's game in Seattle, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

He'll clear out to make room on the roster for the return of outfielder Andrew Benintendi (Achilles) from the 10-day injured list. Ellis spent one week with the big club and was used primarily as a pinch runner, stealing four bases while going 0-for-4 at the plate.

Benintendi (Achilles) will be activated from the 10-day injured list prior to Wednesday's game versus the Mariners, Daryl Van Schowen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Benintendi played two rehab games with the White Sox's rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate and went 3-for-5 with one home run and two walks. The left Achilles tendinitis that sent Benintendi to the IL at the beginning of June no longer appears to be a concern, so he should regain his role as the team's everyday left fielder.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that he expects Abreu (ankle) to return from the 10-day injured list "sooner rather than later," Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Cora said that Abreu still feels some minor discomfort with his right ankle when running in a straight line, but the outfielder is doing much better. He will need a rehab assignment, so Abreu won't be ready for activation when first eligible Thursday. However, the Red Sox likely won't have to wait too much longer to get Abreu back.

Gonzalez (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

The date of Gonzalez's first rehab game ended up being pushed back a couple days, but he's ready for game action now. Gonzalez has been out since early June with a left hamstring strain and should only need a few games in the minors before being cleared to return from the 10-day injured list.