-
Christian Walker 1B | HOU
Astros' Christian Walker: On bench Sunday
Walker is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Walker started the past four games, going 3-for-15 with a walk, a double, three RBI and seven strikeouts since returning from a minor hip issue. LaMonte Wade is starting at first base Sunday, which opens up left field for Zach Dezenzo.
-
Vinnie Pasquantino 1B | KC
Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino: Resting up Sunday
Pasquantino is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.
Pasquantino will be given the afternoon off after he went 8-for-21 with three runs and one RBI while starting in the Royals' previous six games. Salvador Perez will replace Pasquantino at first base.
-
Christian Encarnacion-Strand 3B | BAL
Orioles' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Overtaking Mayo at third base
Encarnacion-Strand will start at third base and bat fifth in Sunday's game against Atlanta.
Encarnacion-Strand has sizzled at the plate since being called up from Triple-A Norfolk on July 16, going 9-for-24 (.375) with three home runs, nine RBI and a 1:6 BB:K. He'll be making his sixth consecutive start Sunday at third base, where he appears to have leapfrogged Coby Mayo on the depth chart.
-
Rhys Hoskins 1B | CLE
Guardians' Rhys Hoskins: Sitting in second straight game
Hoskins is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.
Hoskins will be on the bench for the second game in a row and for the third time in five contests. With the Guardians recently getting Jose Ramirez and Angel Martinez back from the injured list, Hoskins could see most of his usage on the short side of a platoon at first base with Kyle Manzardo.
-
Jonathan Aranda 1B | TB
Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Taking seat Sunday
Aranda is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians.
Aranda started the previous seven contests but will hit the bench Sunday. The first baseman has yet to get on track since the All-Star break with a .154/.214/.154 slash line and 38.1 percent strikeout rate in 10 games. Ryan Vilade is picking up the start at first base in the series finale versus Cleveland.
-
Nick Kurtz 1B | ATH
Athletics' Nick Kurtz: Activated from IL
The Athletics reinstated Kurtz (thumb) from the injured list Saturday.
Kurtz landed on the injured list July 11 due to a right thumb capsule sprain, but he's now been cleared to return to action without having to play in any rehab games. The 23-year-old slugger figures to immediately reclaim his role as the Athletics' everyday first baseman, and he'll replace Max Muncy on the active roster.
-
Jake Burger 1B | TEX
Rangers' Jake Burger: Key contributions to win
Burger went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Friday's 5-4 win over Seattle.
Burger stood out on offense for the Rangers, who began a critical three-game set against the team chasing them in the AL West. He twice delivered go-ahead runs for Texas. His two-run homer in the fourth inning gave the team a 3-1 lead, before a run-scoring single in the sixth put them up 4-3. Burger leads the club with 18 homers and 64 RBI.
-
Spencer Torkelson 1B | DET
Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: Resting Saturday
Torkelson isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Royals, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Torkelson will get a day off Saturday after going 0-for-7 with five strikeouts through the first two games of the series. His absence will put Colt Keith at first base, allowing Hao-Yu Lee to start at the hot corner.
-
Nolan Schanuel 1B | LAA
Angels' Nolan Schanuel: Posts steal Friday
Schanuel went 2-for-5 with one RBI and one stolen base in Friday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Giants.
Schanuel rarely taps into any speed -- his steal Friday was his first of the season. Perhaps he has some confidence going, as he's hitting .375 (21-for-56) with an 8:8 BB:K across 15 games in July. Overall, the first baseman is batting .282 with a .748 OPS, six home runs, 36 RBI, 32 runs scored and 17 doubles across 84 games this season.