MLB Player News

Ober (elbow) struck out one batter and allowed three earned runs on seven hits and no walks over 3.1 innings in a rehab start Sunday with High-A Cedar Rapids.

After completing a throwing progression, Ober was cleared to kick off a rehab assignment Sunday. Per Aaron Gleeman of AaronGleeman.com, the Twins were planning for Ober to throw around 50 pitches in his first game action since May 30. He ended up narrowly exceeding that limit, spotting 38 of his 57 pitches for strikes in the rehab outing. Ober will likely need at least one more appearance in the minors to get further stretched out, but he appears on pace to return from the 15-day injured list shortly before the All-Star break. Ober has been on the shelf since June 1 due to a right flexor strain.

Duran is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.

Duran has gone 3-for-37 with a 3:13 BB:K over his last 10 games, so the Red Sox will spare the left-handed-hitting outfielder from a matchup with a southpaw starter (Carlos Rodon) while he's stuck in an extended rut at the dish. Nate Eaton will replace Duran in left field and will bat leadoff.

Narvaez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.

Though he'll take a seat for the series finale while Connor Wong gets a turn behind the plate, Narvaez may have reclaimed the No. 1 catcher job for Boston. The Red Sox optioned the slumping Mickey Gasper to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, leaving Narvaez and Wong as the only backstops on the active roster. Narvaez started three of the previous four contests, going 2-for-8 with a double while also reaching base on a hit-by-pitch.

Volpe is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Volpe will head to the bench for the first time since June 18, breaking a stretch of nine consecutive starts over which he went 8-for-30 (.267 average) with zero home runs, two steals, two runs and one RBI. The Yankees will go with Jose Caballero and Amed Rosario as their starters on the left side of the infield in the series finale in Boston, but Volpe could handle a near-everyday role at shortstop for as long as Ryan McMahon (throat infection) is on the shelf.

Rosario will start at designated hitter and bat sixth in Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Rosario will stick in the starting nine for the fourth straight game, though he'll be matching up against a right-hander (Sonny Gray) on Sunday after the Red Sox sent lefties to the hill for the first three contests of the series. Though Ryan McMahon's (throat infection) recent move to the injured list leaves a void at third base, the Yankees could elect to use Jose Caballero at that position on a more frequent basis rather than opening up an everyday role for Rosario.

Goldschmidt is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

The Yankees will give Goldschmidt a break after he went 7-for-23 (.304 average) with two home runs, three RBI and four runs while starting in the past six games. Ben Rice will draw the start at first base Sunday, while Amed Rosario serves as the Yankees' designated hitter.

Bradish (5-8) took the loss Sunday against the Nationals, allowing four runs (three earned) on one hit and five walks over four innings. He struck out two.

Bradish's control issues proved costly Sunday, as he issued a season-high five walks in an eventual 6-4 defeat. Coming into the day, Bradish had allowed one run while issuing just three walks over 15.2 innings in his previous two starts. The right-hander's ERA now sits at 3.77 on the year with a 1.45 WHIP and 96:47 K:BB across 17 outings (93 innings). Bradish will look to get back on track in his next start, currently scheduled to come on the road in Cincinnati.

Diaz (shoulder) said after Sunday's 5-1 win over the Diamondbacks that he's "hurting a little bit" but is optimistic that he'll be able to play Tuesday in Kansas City, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Diaz went 1-for-2 with an RBI and an RBI before exiting Sunday's game due to a left shoulder strain. He appears to have avoided anything overly significant, and Diaz should be aided by the Rays' team off day Monday. The 34-year-old can be considered day-to-day ahead of the team's three-game set in Kansas City.

Mendez (shoulder) has gone 3-for-6 with an RBI in two games for Triple-A St. Paul since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list Friday.

Mendez missed just over two weeks of action due to a left shoulder impingement. The 22-year-old outfielder is slashing .314/.408/.485 with eight home runs and four stolen bases over 54 games between St. Paul and Double-A Wichita this season.

Culpepper (hip) went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in his return to the Triple-A St. Paul lineup in Sunday's 3-0 loss to Louisville after being reinstated from the 7-day injured list.

Culpepper returned to action for St. Paul after missing the past two weeks while recovering from a left hip strain. He was eased back into the lineup at designated hitter, but Culpepper should return to an everyday role at shortstop before long. The 23-year-old appeared to be gaining momentum for a promotion to Minnesota prior to getting hurt, but after the recent injury, Culpepper may need to heat back up at the dish before the Twins revisit the idea of calling him up from Triple-A.