MLB Player News

McNeil is absent from the lineup for Friday's game versus the Nationals.

McNeil had started each of the previous seven contests but managed only one hit over that stretch, so he'll get a day off to regroup. Brett Baty will handle second base and bat eighth for the Mets.

Jensen will start in the designated hitter spot and bat leadoff Friday against the Blue Jays.

It's the sixth straight start for Jensen and the first time he's batted higher than eighth. Regular leadoff man Mike Yastrzemski is getting a day off, so Jensen's presence at the top of the batting order could be short-lived. However, the rookie appears to have carved out a regular role versus right-handed pitching. Jensen is slashing .320/.452/.640 with two home runs and a 6:7 BB:K over his first 11 major-league contests.

India is out of the lineup for Friday's contest against the Blue Jays.

After starting six of the first seven games upon his return from the injured list, India has now been on the bench for three games in a row. Michael Massey is getting a second straight start at second base for the Royals.

The Royals placed Erceg on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a right shoulder impingement.

The move essentially ends Erceg's season, as the Royals haven't officially been eliminated from playoff contention but remain seven games out from the final wild-card spot with nine games to play. The 30-year-old has a 2.64 ERA and 48:18 K:BB in 61.1 innings this season. He's tallied an 8-4 record with 23 holds as well. Steven Cruz (shoulder) was activated from the IL in a corresponding move.

Benintendi is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Padres.

Benintendi isn't dealing with any known injury, but this is his second straight absence versus a right-handed pitcher. Will Robertson is in left field and batting eighth in Friday's series opener.

Sosa is not in the lineup for Friday's contest against the Padres.

Sosa has just a .559 OPS and 35.6 percent strikeout rate so far in September. After being moved down to the No. 6 spot in the lineup for the previous two games, he'll get a day to regroup Friday. Miguel Vargas is at first base and Curtis Mead is at third base for the White Sox.

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.

Stephenson is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Cubs.

Stephenson started Thursday's series opener and helped steer Hunter Greene to a shutout, but he'll get a breather in the second game of the series. Jose Trevino is at catcher and batting eighth for the Reds.