MLB Player News

Contreras (hamstring) took batting practice on the field at Fenway Park on Tuesday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Contreras is also expected to do some running on the field during Boston's series against the Angels that runs through Wednesday. It hasn't been determined yet whether Contreras needs a short rehab assignment before returning to the active roster. If he skips one, he could be activated as soon as Friday. Contreras has been out since late August with a left hamstring strain.

Mountcastle (foot/oblique) has resumed a hitting progression, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Mountcastle initially went down with a left foot fracture in mid-April, but it's an oblique strain he suffered in late July that's been the more recent cause of his continued absence. A return before the end of the month remains possible, but even if that happens, Mountcastle's role could be relatively limited.

Lowe entered Monday's game as a pinch hitter and hit a three-run home run in a 6-4 loss to the Orioles.

Lowe, who opened the game on the bench against a left-handed starter, reached for an Andrew Kittredge slider down in the zone in the ninth inning and sent it over the fence in right field. It was his fourth home run, along with 19 RBI, over 28 games since joining the Guardians at the trade deadline. Lowe has become Cleveland's primary starter against right-handed pitching and will continue in that role as the team competes for a berth in the postseason.

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said Monday that Contreras (hamstring) will resume running during the team's current series against the Angels and could be activated from the 10-day injured list as soon as Friday's series opener versus the Royals, Marcus Grunfeld of ElEmergente.com reports.

Tracy also added that Contreras could go out on a short rehab assignment before returning to the active roster, but he plans to speak with the first baseman about that possibility later this week. Contreras landed on the IL one week ago because of a left hamstring strain. Mickey Gasper has been filling in at first base for the Red Sox.

Lowe is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Orioles.

The left-handed-hitting Lowe will hit the bench for the third time in four games while Baltimore sends southpaw Trevor Rogers to the bump in the series opener. David Fry will spell Lowe at first base and will bat fifth.

Burger went 2-for-4 with a pair of home runs, a walk, three RBI and three runs scored in Sunday's 8-6 win over the Rays.

Burger tagged Ian Seymour for a solo shot in the second inning and a two-run blast in the fourth. Burger had gone 10 games without a long ball, adding just two doubles and three RBI in that span. The first baseman is up to 25 homers on the year while batting .239 with a .738 OPS, 82 RBI, 60 runs scored, 21 doubles and three stolen bases over 137 contests.

Torkelson is not starting Sunday versus Cleveland.

Torkelson will get at least part of the day off his feet while Colt Keith gets a chance to start at first base and Riley Greene takes a turn at DH. Torkelson went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Saturday to snap a modest four-game hitting streak.

Murakami went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Saturday against the Twins.

Murakami got the White Sox off to a hot start by popping his 30th home run of the season in the first inning. It was a long-awaited milestone, as he had been sitting on 29 long balls since Aug. 18. During that homerless stretch, Murakami went just 5-for-59 (.085) with a 38 percent strikeout rate, one RBI and five runs scored. It's still been an impressive rookie season for Murakami, but his inflated strikeout rate leads to inconsistent results, which is evident from his .211 average through 107 games.

Aranda went 2-for-4 with a solo homer, an RBI double, two runs scored and two strikeouts during Friday's 7-6 win over Texas.

Aranda knotted the score at 1-1 in the third inning after launching a solo shot off Kumar Rocker. The 28-year-old Aranda then laced an RBI double to extend Tampa Bay's lead in the fifth. This was the first time Aranda scored multiple runs in a game since Aug. 3. On the season, Aranda is slashing .277/.361/.424 with 18 homers and 82 RBI in 596 plate appearances.

Torkelson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Guardians.

The slugging first baseman took Slade Cecconi deep in the third inning of the matinee, his second straight game with a long ball. Torkelson's recent power display snapped a homer drought that stretched back to July 31, but he's been able to stay somewhat productive during that span -- including a 1-for-4 showing in Friday's nightcap, he sports a .272/.364/.388 slash line over his last 31 contests with 10 runs and 12 RBI.