MLB Player News

The Royals activated Cruz (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Cruz has been on the shelf since Aug. 3 due to tendinitis in his throwing shoulder, but he's been cleared to rejoin the active roster. The 26-year-old made four appearances during a minor-league rehab stint, allowing three hits and no walks with four strikeouts across 4.1 innings. Lucas Erceg (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Harris is not in the lineup for Friday's game in Pittsburgh.

After starting three straight games at third base earlier this week, Harris has now been held out of the lineup in back-to-back contests. Darell Hernaiz will play the hot corner and Zack Gelof will handle second base in Friday's series opener. Harris and Gelof could continue to form a quasi-platoon down the stretch, though it will be difficult to know ahead of time which of the two of them is going to start since they both bat from the right side of the plate.

Finnegan (groin) is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list Friday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Finnegan said he is "ready to go" for Friday's contest. The 34-year-old right-hander has been on the shelf since the start of September due to a right adductor strain. He'll likely compete with Will Vest for saves during the closing days of the regular season.

Larnach is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Guardians.

Larnach will take a seat Friday against left-hander Parker Messick. In his place, Carson McCusker will DH while Austin Martin, Byron Buxton and James Outman fill the outfield from left to right.

Dingler is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus Atlanta.

It's a routine day off after Dingler started at catcher each of the previous five contests. Jake Rogers will be behind the dish and bat ninth for the Tigers on Friday.

Wallner (back) isn't in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Guardians.

Wallner was removed from Wednesday's contest due to back spasms, and despite a team day off Thursday, he'll be out of the lineup Friday. James Outman will fill right field in place of Wallner.

Keith (back) is not in the lineup for Friday's game against Atlanta.

Keith had to be lifted from Thursday's contest versus the Guardians with a back injury and was sent for an MRI, so it's no surprise he's not ready to play in Friday's series opener. There's no word yet on the results of the imaging, but the Tigers should have an update on the 24-year-old soon. Zach McKinstry will play third base and bat eighth in Keith's stead.

O'Neill is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Yankees.

O'Neill will be idle for the third time in eight games since being activated from the injured list Sept. 12. Jeremiah Jackson will bat sixth and fill right field Friday.

Holliday (undisclosed) is playing second base and batting leadoff Friday against the Yankees.

Interim manager Tony Mansolino said Holliday was out of the lineup Thursday because he was nicked up. However, the infielder is back in the starting nine for Friday's contest, holding down the leadoff spot. In his last 18 games, Holliday is 22-for-68 (.324) with two home runs, five stolen bases and a 15:16 BB:K.

The White Sox recalled Booser from Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.

Booser has bounced between Charlotte and Chicago multiple times this season, holding a 4.82 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 33:18 K:BB over 28 frames in the majors. He'll give manager Will Venable another lefty in the bullpen.