Ritter is out of the lineup for Thursday's game in Houston.

Though he's hitting .294 since being activated from the injured list Aug. 15, Ritter hasn't yet taken full control of an everyday role at second base for the Rockies. He'll hit the bench for the third time in four games while the Rockies use Tyler Freeman at the keystone on Thursday.

Goodman is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Astros.

Braxton Fulford will get the nod behind the plate while Goodman gets some rest in a day game after a night game. Goodman has stayed productive in August in the midst of his breakout season, slashing .247/.310/.558 with seven home runs, 16 RBI, and 12 runs through 22 games on the month.

McCutchen is absent from the lineup for Thursday's tilt in St. Louis.

McCutchen will get a routine day off after starting in the previous two games and five of the last six contests. Bryan Reynolds will serve as the Pirates' designated hitter Thursday, while Jack Suwinski will man right field.

Davis is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in St. Louis.

Davis started at catcher in each of the previous two games, so he'll get some rest during Thursday's matinee. Joey Bart is behind the dish and batting sixth for the Pirates.

Basso allowed no hits and a walk with no strikeouts over a scoreless inning Wednesday against the Tigers.

Basso made his season debut for the Athletics, tossing a scoreless ninth inning to close out an impressive sweep of the Tigers. The southpaw has spent most of the year sidelined by a left shoulder strain suffered in March, then was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas upon activation Aug. 11 before being recalled ahead of Wednesday's contest. Though a starter by trade, Basso has been working out of the bullpen since returning from injury.

Triolo is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in St. Louis.

Triolo saw his streak of five straight multi-hit games come to an end during Wednesday's 2-1 win, though he drew two walks and scored a run. With Triolo getting a day off Thursday, the Pirates will turn to Liover Peguero at shortstop.

Smith (quadriceps) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers.

After exiting early in Wednesday's 3-2 win due to left quad tightness, Smith will take a seat for Thursday's matinee contest. The Diamondbacks seem to be classifying Smith as day-to-day, and even if he had emerged from Wednesday's contest without an injury, he likely would have been in line to sit Thursday since the Brewers are sending a lefty starter (Jose Quintana) to the bump. Tyler Locklear will get the nod at first base in the series finale.

Sterner struck out the side in a perfect inning during Wednesday's 7-0 win over the Tigers.

Sterner retired the side on strikeouts in the eighth inning Wednesday, the first time this season he's done so in order. The right-hander has been sharp in August, posting a 1.98 ERA and 0.59 WHIP across 13.2 innings in 11 appearances.

The Red Sox could promote Tolle from Triple-A Worcester to start or make a bulk-relief appearance in Friday's game against the Pirates, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Boston has confirmed that Dustin May will start the second game of the series Saturday, and Lucas Giolito appears on track to start Sunday's series finale, but the club still has an opening in its rotation for Friday after Richard Fitts (arm) was removed from his bulk-relief appearance in Monday's game against the Orioles before landing on the injured list. Kyle Harrison -- who is already on the Red Sox's 40-man roster -- made an abbreviated three-inning start for Worcester on Tuesday to keep him in play for a promotion to the big leagues Friday, but Tolle has established himself as the organization's top pitching prospect this season and may have done enough to make a case for his first MLB call-up. After accruing a 2.93 ERA and racking up 116 punchouts across 76.2 innings through his first 17 outings of the season between High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland, the 22-year-old lefty has continued to shine since moving up to Worcester earlier this month. Through three starts at Triple-A, Tolle has accrued a 3.60 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB in 15 innings.

Beavers is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox.

The left-handed-hitting Beavers will get a day off as the Red Sox send southpaw ace Garrett Crochet to the bump. Dylan Carlson and Jeremiah Jackson will hold down the corner outfield spots as the Orioles try to avoid being swept in the four-game series.