MLB Player News
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Alex Freeland 2B | LAD
Dodgers' Alex Freeland: Sitting while Edman starts at 2B
Freeland is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Twins.
Freeland had started in 15 of the Dodgers' last 18 games, but he's likely to slip into more of a part-time role following the recent return of Tommy Edman, who returned from the 60-day injured list Tuesday. After starting in left field twice and at third base once over his first four games since being activated, Edman will cover Freeland's usual spot at the keystone Monday. Freeland hasn't helped his case for retaining steady playing time by producing a modest .218/.323/.309 slash line since being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on May 27.
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Justin Steele SP | CHC
Cubs' Justin Steele: Resumes throwing program
Steele (elbow) resumed a throwing program Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Steele underwent UCL revision surgery last May and then had a setback in late April when he was diagnosed with a flexor strain. The left-hander will be ramped back up slowly, and while the Cubs hope Steele can contribute at some point after the All-Star break, there is no target date for his return.
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Eric Lauer SP | LAD
Dodgers' Eric Lauer: Set for bulk-relief role Monday
Lauer is expected to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Will Klein in Monday's game against the Twins, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
As a starter this season between stops with Toronto and Los Angeles, Lauer has turned in a 5.14 ERA and 13:7 K:BB in 21 innings while facing hitters the first time through the order, so the Dodgers will look to generate better results from the lefty by sparing him from a matchup with the top of the Minnesota lineup to begin the game. Klein is expected to cover an inning or two before giving way to Lauer, who should have a better chance at coming away with a win while working in bulk relief.
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Will Klein RP | LAD
Dodgers' Will Klein: Working as opener Monday
Klein will serve as the Dodgers' opening pitcher in Monday's game in Minnesota, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
He'll draw his second start of the season, but Klein is likely to be limited to an inning or two before left-hander Eric Lauer steps in to work in bulk relief. The 26-year-old righty has emerged as a key high-leverage arm out of the bullpen for the Dodgers this season, notching two wins, one save and 10 holds while pitching to a 2.37 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 32:12 K:BB in 30.1 innings.
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Miguel Andujar DH | SD
Padres' Miguel Andujar: Out of lineup again Monday
Andujar is absent from the lineup for Monday's game against Atlanta.
Andujar has not started either of the Padres' two games since he was activated from the 10-day injured list Sunday. The Padres have faced right-handers in both contests, so Andujar could be looking at a short-side platoon role for the time being. Will Wagner started at designated hitter Sunday, and Gavin Sheets is slotting in at DH on Monday.
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Drew Romo C | CHW
White Sox's Drew Romo: Set for reduction in playing time
Romo is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Guardians.
Though the White Sox kept him on the big-league roster and optioned Edgar Quero to Triple-A Charlotte to make room for Kyle Teel's (hamstring/knee) return from the 60-day injured list, Romo will be headed for a reduction in playing time while Teel settles back in as Chicago's clear No. 1 catcher. Romo produced an .857 OPS in his first month with the White Sox after receiving a promotion from Triple-A on April 25, but he's fallen off badly since the start of June, slashing .071/.100/.107 with a 29 percent strikeout rate in 31 plate appearances.
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Chase DeLauter RF | CLE
Guardians' Chase DeLauter: Aiming to return on homestand
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Monday that the team hopes DeLauter (rib) will be ready to return during its June 26-July 5 homestand, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Working his way back from a small fracture in his right rib cage, DeLauter has resumed hitting, running and throwing. Vogt does not have a specific target date for DeLauter's activation from the 10-day injured list, but it seems it could happen as soon as this weekend.
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Jacob Gonzalez 1B | CHW
White Sox's Jacob Gonzalez: Exiting starting nine
Gonzalez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Guardians.
Gonzalez will head to the bench while the White Sox go with Miguel Vargas and Colson Montgomery as their starters in the corner infield Monday. Since being called up from Triple-A Charlotte on May 30, the left-handed-hitting Gonzalez has mostly been spared from matchups with left-handed pitching but has still struggled to a .167/.273/.229 slash line over 55 plate appearances. Gonzalez will likely be headed back to Charlotte once Munetaka Murakami (hamstring) is ready to return from the injured list.
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Steven Kwan CF | CLE
Guardians' Steven Kwan: Held out of lineup vs. lefty
Kwan is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the White Sox.
Southpaw Anthony Kay is on the bump for the White Sox, so Kwan will retreat to the bench along with fellow left-handed batters Daniel Schneemann and Kahlil Watson. Kwan is batting a career-worst .206 on the season and has been especially brutal against left-handed pitching, slashing .171/.289/.211 over 90 plate appearances.
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Kahlil Watson RF | CLE
Guardians' Kahlil Watson: Hitting bench against lefty
Watson is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the White Sox.
Southpaw Anthony Kay is on the bump for the White Sox, so Watson will retreat to the bench along with fellow left-handed batters Daniel Schneemann and Steven Kwan. Since being called up from Triple-A Columbus last Wednesday, Watson has gone 0-for-12 with eight strikeouts while drawing starts in four of six games.