MLB Player News

Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said Tuesday that Raley is expected to miss the rest of the season after sustaining a left forearm strain, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Per MLB.com, Raley had been dealing with discomfort in his forearm/elbow for multiple weeks before the Mariners elected to place him on the injured list Saturday. The Mariners are still deciding on a treatment plan for Raley, with surgery seemingly not being ruled out. A right-handed thrower, Raley won't be affected by the injury in the field, but since he bats from the left side, he'll require a lengthy recovery even if he's able to avoid surgery and instead treats the injury with rest and rehab. Raley's injury was likely a major factor in the Mariners' acquisition Monday of Taylor Ward, who served as a designated hitter in Tuesday's loss to the Tigers but is expected to serve as Raley's primary replacement in right field.

Forbes (elbow) tossed a scoreless inning while allowing one walk and striking out two batters July 31 for High-A Hillsboro.

Forbes hadn't pitched since June 27 due to elbow discomfort. He has excelled when healthy, logging a 19:3 K:BB and 0.80 WHIP in 13.2 innings across five appearances for the Hops. Risk of re-injury and an inability to sufficiently build up his innings this year are the only knocks on the 22-year-old righty.

Manager Dave Roberts said Rushing (elbow) has a "very small" chance of being able to play catcher again this season, but the Dodgers are hopeful that the 25-year-old can serve as a left-handed option off the bench if he's able to return from the 10-day injured list, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Rushing was scratched from the lineup ahead of Sunday's loss to the Red Sox and placed on the injured list Monday due to what the Dodgers referred to as a mild strain of his throwing elbow. He was then sent in for further testing Tuesday, with an MRI revealing a UCL tear in his right elbow. While Rushing is hopeful to avoid surgery and treat the injury with rest and rehab, he won't be cleared to start a throwing program for 4-to-6 weeks, per Sonja Chen of MLB.com, which takes catching and playing first base or a corner-outfield spot off the table. A left-handed hitter, Rushing shouldn't be too affected by the injury at the plate, but the Dodgers likely won't be able to find regular room for him in the lineup so long as Shohei Ohtani is available to serve as their everyday designated hitter. With that in mind, Rushing looks like a safe drop for fantasy managers in nearly every redraft league.

Crow-Armstrong will bat leadoff and start at designated hitter Wednesday against the Dodgers.

The Cubs will give Crow-Armstrong a day off his feet, but he'll remain in his usual spot in the batting order. Tyrone Taylor will cover center field and bat ninth for the Cubs.

Mears (shoulder) is scheduled to begin a mound progression next week, MLB.com reports.

Mears has been sidelined since May 29 due to a right shoulder impingement and has dealt with multiple setbacks in his recovery, but after resuming a throwing program July 29, the right-hander is nearing a return to mound work. The 29-year-old will almost certainly need a rehab assignment before being activated, but if no new setbacks arise during his progression, a return before the end of August is possible. On the year, Mears owns a 5.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB across 19.1 innings.

Estevez (shoulder) is scheduled to start a mound progression Friday, MLB.com reports.

Estevez started a throwing program July 17 and is nearing a return to mound work as his rehab from a right rotator cuff strain continues. Progressing to throwing off the mound is a positive step, though the right-hander will need to check more boxes, including facing hitters and embarking on a rehab assignment, before returning to the Royals becomes a real possibility. The veteran has been on the injured list for virtually the entire season, hitting the shelf April 1 after just one regular-season appearance due to a left foot contusion.

Lavender walked one and struck out one in 1.1 scoreless innings Tuesday to record his first career hold in a win over the Guardians.

Making his big-league debut, the 26-year-old southpaw got the final out of the seventh inning with the Mets leading 5-2, and then stayed in for the eighth after his team produced an insurance run. Lavender could get a long look as a high-leverage option with New York having dealt veteran southpaws A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley at the trade deadline, with fellow rookie Jefry Yan being his main competition for the job of top left-handed setup man for closer Devin Williams.

Eldridge (thumb) will start at first base and bat leadoff in Wednesday's game against the Rangers, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Eldridge didn't start in either of the first two games of the series in Arlington while tending to a bruised left thumb, but he was able to make a cameo off the bench in Tuesday's 5-4 loss, lashing a pinch-hit, two-run double in the ninth inning to tie the game. With the 22-year-old experiencing no setbacks coming out of Tuesday's contest, he'll return to the starting nine and bat leadoff for just the second time all season. Eldridge could stick atop the lineup on a more permanent basis after the Giants dealt their primary leadoff man, Luis Arraez, to the Phillies on Monday.

Kirk is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against Houston.

Despite recording at least one hit in 10 of his last 11 games, Kirk will sit out Wednesday's series finale. Brandon Valenzuela will be behind the plate and bat fifth for Toronto.

Guerrero is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros, with manager John Schneider noting that the first baseman is "dealing with hamstring tightness and other stuff," Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Schneider didn't seem to be concerned that Guerrero would miss time beyond Wednesday, as the 27-year-old's absence from the lineup looks to be a maintenance day more than anything. Though Guerrero appeared to be uncomfortable after running out a groundball in Tuesday's 7-2 loss, Schneider said after the game Guerrero was "just tight, tired" and that it was "nothing major," per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Kazuma Okamoto will man first base and bat second for Toronto in the series finale in Houston.