MLB Player News

Gonzalez will start at second base and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Gonzalez will stick in the lineup for a fourth straight game, occupying the keystone for the first time during that stretch as Nathaniel Lowe returns from the paternity list. Though Gonzalez has been at his best against left-handed pitching this season with a .977 OPS in 122 plate appearances, he's been serviceable against righties with a .273/.296/.414 slash line over 135 PAs. The Red Sox could prioritize Gonzalez over David Hamilton at second base until Wilyer Abreu (calf) returns from the injured list, which would push Ceddanne Rafaela to the infield on a more frequent basis.

Marte started at designated hitter and went 1-for-3 in Saturday's 6-1 win over the Dodgers.

Marte served as the DH for a second consecutive game, which could become a normal deployment over the final month of the season, per Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. Manager Torey Lovullo indicated that Jordan Lawlar would stick at third base down the stretch while Blaze Alexander shifted into a super-utility player. That opens up the possibility of using Alexander at second base and reducing the wear and tear on Marte while maintaining his bat in the lineup as the DH. Additionally, utility infielder Ildemaro Vargas, who started at second base and homered Saturday, is also around to give Marte a break.

Hamilton is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Though Hamilton has posted a 1.053 OPS in six games since being called up from Triple-A Worcester on Aug. 21, the Red Sox aren't yet ready to give him consistent playing time. He'll be on the bench for a second straight matchup with a right-handed starter (Mitch Keller), clearing the way for Romy Gonzalez to shift from first base to the keystone in Nathaniel Lowe's return from the paternity list.

The Royals optioned Kolek to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

The right-hander was called up for a spot start Saturday and allowed just one run over six innings in a no-decision against Detroit, but he won't stick on the big-league roster with Michael Wacha returning from the paternity list Sunday. Kolek could rejoin the big club down the stretch, but he may have a difficult time finding a spot in the Kansas City rotation while all of Wacha, Seth Lugo, Michael Lorenzen, Noah Cameron and Ryan Bergert are available.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that Smith (quadriceps) is "trending toward" missing the remainder of the season, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Smith landed on the 10-day injured list Friday with a quad strain suffered Wednesday. His absence opens up playing time at first base and designated hitter. Tyler Locklear has started at first base in the two games since Smith sustained the injury, while Ketel Marte has operated as the DH.

Julien is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

The Twins have now left Julien out of the lineup for three consecutive contests, which follows a stretch of four straight starts in which he went 2-for-13 with a double and three walks. Julien has produced a poor .545 OPS since getting called up from Triple-A St. Paul on Aug. 1 and may play second fiddle to Kody Clemens at first base in September.

Larnach is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

The Padres are having right-hander David Morgan open the contest, but since lefty Kyle Hart is projected to work in bulk relief, Larnach will take a seat. His absence will open up the DH spot for Byron Buxton.

The Royals reinstated Wacha (personal) from the paternity list to start Sunday's game against the Tigers.

The right-hander has been away from the team for the past couple days to be with his growing family, but he's back with the Royals for his usual turn through the rotation Sunday versus Detroit. Wacha will look to maintain his strong form through five August starts, as he has a 2.87 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 18:3 K:BB over 31.1 innings this month.

Santana agreed to a one-year deal with the Cubs on Sunday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Santana won't join the Cubs ahead of Sunday's game in Colorado, but he's expected to be activated prior to Monday's home game versus Atlanta. The 39-year-old switch hitter was cut loose by the Guardians on Thursday after he had produced a career-worst .649 OPS with 11 home runs and seven stolen bases across 455 plate appearances. The Cubs won't have regular playing time available for Santana, but he could prove to be an upgrade over Justin Turner (.598 OPS in 166 plate appearances) as the short-side platoon mate at first base for the left-handed-hitting Michael Busch.

Crooks is starting behind the plate and batting eighth Sunday against the Reds.

The 24-year-old will make the first start of his MLB career after being called up by the Cardinals on Friday. It technically won't be his MLB debut, however, since he entered as a defensive replacement without receiving an at-bat in Friday's contest. Crooks is one of St. Louis' top prospects and posted a .272/.336/.437 slash line with 14 homers in 99 games for Triple-A Memphis this year.