MLB Player News

Holliday is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels.

The lefty-hitting Holliday will take a seat for the second time in three days while the Angels bring another southpaw (Tyler Anderson) to the hill for the series finale. Jorge Mateo will check in at second base in place of Holliday, who is off to a 2-for-34 start to his big-league career since receiving a promotion from Triple-A Norfolk on April 10.

Mountcastle (knee) will start at first base and bat third in Wednesday's game versus the Angels.

Mountcastle missed two games with some knee soreness but is feeling well enough to give it a go Wednesday against left-hander Tyler Anderson. The 27-year-old is sporting a .333/.395/.507 batting line with two home runs over 20 contests this season.

Rutschman went 3-for-5 with a run scored in Tuesday's 7-4 loss to the Angels.

Rutschman is on a tear during his five-game hitting streak, going 11-for-24 (.458) with seven RBI in that span. All three of his hits Tuesday were singles, and he has just two extra-base hits during the active streak. Rutschman continues to cement his status as one of the top catchers in baseball with a .323/.366/.419 slash line with two home runs, 14 RBI and 15 runs scored over 101 plate appearances this season.

Stratton (2-1) did not allow a baserunner and struck out one batter over 1.2 innings to earn the win Tuesday versus the Blue Jays.

Stratton allowed an inherited runner to score on a sacrifice fly after relieving starter Michael Wacha in the fifth inning. The Royals rallied ahead in the bottom of the fifth and Stratton delivered a perfect sixth en route to the win. He hasn't been charged with a run over his last five innings and now has a 3.27 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 8:9 K:BB over 11 innings on the year. Stratton's history as a starter makes him an option for multi-inning assignments. He can also work in the late innings, though James McArthur (five) has the advantage for save chances so far, while Stratton and Will Smith (one each) are the only other Royals to pick up a save this season.

The Tigers announced Tuesday that Leonard (oblique) will be re-evaluated next week and could begin a baseball progression program, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Leonard, who is a member of the Tigers' 40-man roster, was placed on Triple-A Toledo's 7-day injured list on April 9 after straining his left oblique. He's been able to complete daily rehab since being shut down with the injury, but Leonard has yet to get back on the field for hitting, fielding or running.

Flexen is listed as the White Sox's scheduled starting pitcher for Friday's game versus the Rays at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Flexen has made his last two appearances as a reliever, working four scoreless innings behind Garrett Crochet in a 7-0 loss to the Phillies on Friday and 2.1 innings of one-run ball behind Jonathan Cannon in a 7-0 loss to the Twins on Monday. He'll be on three days' rest Friday, but Flexen shouldn't face any major workload restrictions as he steps back into the White Sox rotation. Flexen won't necessarily be in store for a long-term stay in the rotation, however, as he could be a candidate to head back to the bullpen when Mike Clevinger is likely to make his season debut in early May.

The Tigers announced that Kreidler underwent surgery April 11 to address a fractured right index finger, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Kreidler has been taking part in daily rehab since getting surgery but is without a clear timeline to return to action for Triple-A Toledo. The 26-year-old infielder possesses a spot on the Tigers' 40-man roster but will remain on Toledo's injured list for the time being.

Alexander is no longer scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Tigers, but he's likely to pitch in bulk relief while Shawn Armstrong serves as the Rays' opening pitcher.

Though Alexander operated as a starter his last time out Friday against the Yankees and struck out four over 5.1 scoreless innings, he looks set to appear out of the bullpen for his upcoming turn through the rotation. Working in bulk relief isn't anything out of the ordinary for Alexander, who previously tossed six innings of two-run ball behind Armstrong in an April 14 win over the Giants. The arrangement should put Alexander in better position to be credited with a win, if the Rays are able to come away with a victory in the series finale versus Detroit.

Armstrong will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Armstrong will draw his third "start" of the season, but he hasn't recorded more than six outs in any of his eight appearances and is unlikely to work more than once through the batting order, if that. Manager Kevin Cash hasn't outlined his plans for once Armstrong exits the game, but Tyler Alexander is available on his standard four days' rest and will presumably operate as a bulk reliever after tossing 5.1 scoreless innings in his last start Friday against the Yankees.

Rizzo went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the A's.

Paul Blackburn left a 92.4 mph fastball up in the zone in the first inning, and Rizzo clubbed it over the fence in right-center field. The veteran first baseman snapped a 14-game homer drought with the blast, and he's still looking for his first sustained hot streak of 2024. Over 24 contests, Rizzo is slashing .231/.307/.319 with two doubles, two homers and 10 RBI.