MLB Player News
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Connor Wong C | BOS
Carlos Narvaez C | BOS
Red Sox's Connor Wong: Sitting after three straight starts
Wong is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.
Though he'll give way to Carlos Narvaez behind the dish Sunday, Wong may have supplanted the former atop the Red Sox's catching depth chart. Wong started each of the previous three games and owns an .885 OPS for the season, more than doubling up Narvaez's mark (.409). At least while he's dramatically outperforming Narvaez at the dish, Wong could be in line for the lion's share of the starts.
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Marcelo Mayer 2B | BOS
Red Sox's Marcelo Mayer: Idle against lefty again Sunday
Mayer is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.
Mayer will hit the bench for the second game in a row while the Tigers send another lefty (Framber Valdez) to the mound for the series finale, after two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal took the hill for Detroit on Saturday. Isiah Kiner-Falefa will cover second base Sunday in Mayer's absence.
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Tigers' Colt Keith: Idle against lefty Sunday
Keith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.
Keith will hit the bench for the third time in four games, with each of his absences coming while the Tigers have faced a left-handed starting pitcher. Jahmai Jones will take Keith's spot in the starting nine at designated hitter while Boston sends southpaw Garrett Crochet to the hill.
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Jorge Barrosa CF | ARI
Diamondbacks' Jorge Barrosa: Losing work with Gurriel back
Barrosa is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.
After slashing .214/.267/.381 with six extra-base hits (five doubles, one triple), five runs and four RBI over a stretch of 12 consecutive starts, Barrosa will remain on the bench for the second day in a row. The switch-hitting Barrosa could still see regular starts against left-handed pitching, but his chances of playing on an everyday basis versus right-handers may have come to an end with Lourdes Gurriel making his return from the injured list.
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Blue Jays' Tyler Heineman: Hitting bench Sunday
Heineman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.
After a recent bout with back spasms, Heineman returned to the lineup Thursday and started three straight games, going 1-for-9 with an RBI and a run scored. Though Brandon Valenzuela will get the nod behind the plate Sunday, Heineman could be the Blue Jays' preferred option at catcher until Alejandro Kirk (thumb) is ready to return from the injured list.
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Dominic Canzone LF | SEA
Mariners' Dominic Canzone: Taking seat against lefty
Canzone is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.
Canzone will take a seat along with fellow left-handed hitters Luke Raley, Brendan Donovan (hip) and Josh Naylor while the Rangers send southpaw MacKenzie Gore to the hill. With Canzone on the bench, Cal Raleigh will get a day off from catching but will remain in the lineup at designated hitter.
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Luke Raley RF | SEA
Mariners' Luke Raley: Idle for series finale
Raley is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.
After a stretch of nine consecutive starts, the left-handed-hitting Raley will hit the bench Sunday while southpaw MacKenzie Gore toes the rubber for Texas. With Raley sitting, Rob Refsnyder will enter the starting nine in right field and will bat leadoff.
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Brendan Donovan 2B | SEA
Mariners' Brendan Donovan: Sitting again due to sore hip
Donovan (hip) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.
He'll take a seat for the second day in a row while he manages a sore left hip, but the Mariners haven't yet indicated that Donovan is at major risk of landing on the 10-day injured list. Leo Rivas will spell Donovan at third base in the series finale.
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Mariners' Josh Naylor: Idle for series finale
Naylor is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.
With a tough lefty (MacKenzie Gore) on the hill for Texas and with the Mariners and Rangers wrapping up their series with a day game, Naylor will be handed his second day off of the season. Connor Joe will enter the starting nine as Naylor's replacement at first base.
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Ezequiel Duran SS | TEX
Josh Smith RP | MIA
Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Sitting in series finale
Duran is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners.
Duran had started in seven of the Rangers' previous eight games, but he'll hit the bench Sunday for the second time in the series. Despite a slow start to the season, Josh Smith still appears to be viewed as the Rangers' top option at second base, though Duran will likely spell him against most left-handed pitching and should also continue to see semi-regular opportunities versus righties due to his ability to play all over the infield as well as both corner-outfield spots. Duran has been productive when called upon this season, slashing .289/.347/.422 with one home run and three stolen bases over 49 plate appearances.