MLB Player News

Diaz is out of the lineup Wednesday for Game 3 of the Rays' ALDS matchup with the Yankees, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

He'll sit out of the second straight contest, this time giving way to Yoshi Tsutsugo, who will serve as the team's designated hitter and will bat fifth. Since being activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of the postseason, Diaz has appeared in two games, going 0-for-6 with three walks and a run scored.

Diaz is not in the lineup for Game 2 of the ALDS against the Yankees, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Diaz led off in Game 1, going hitless with a walk. Austin Meadows (oblique) will serve as the leadoff man and designated hitter for Game 2.

The Rays removed Lowe from their 28-man roster for their American League Division Series with the Yankees that begins Monday in San Diego, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Lowe still retains a spot in the Rays' 40-man player pool for the postseason, so he could be a candidate to return to the active roster for the ALCS, should Tampa Bay advance past the Yankees. During the Rays' wild-card series win over the Blue Jays, Lowe went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in Tampa Bay's Game 1 victory before sitting out Game 2. He'll be replaced on the ALDS roster by Austin Meadows (oblique), who appears to be nearing a return to game action.

Tellez sits as expected for Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Rays on Wednesday.

Tellez was able to return from a knee strain faster than expected and make the Wild Card Series roster, though he's not recovered enough to start. He was able to appear off the bench in Game 1, however, grabbing a hit and scoring Toronto's lone run, so a pinch-hit appearance is certainly possible again in Game 2.

Lowe is out of the lineup Wednesday for Game 2 of the Rays' wild-card series with the Blue Jays, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

After finishing the regular season as the Rays' primary option at first base, Lowe started at the position Tuesday in Game 1, going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. With a southpaw (Hyun-Jin Ryu) on the mound for Toronto in Game 2, the lefty-hitting Lowe will cede his spot in the lineup to Mike Brosseau. Lowe won't necessarily be a lock to make regular starts against right-handed pitching during the postseason, however, as the Rays recently welcomed back another challenger for strong-side platoon duties at first base in Ji-Man Choi (hamstring).

Diaz (hamstring) will start at third base and will bat cleanup Wednesday in Game 2 of the Rays' wild-card series with the Blue Jays, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Diaz will pick up his first start since Aug. 31, as he was sidelined for much of the past month with a right hamstring strain before he was activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's postseason opener. Though he went unused in the Rays' 3-1 win, Diaz is expected to be a regular in the Rays' lineup during the team's postseason run so long as his hamstring holds up.

Kirilloff is starting in right field and batting sixth Wednesday in Game 2 against the Astros.

The Twins aren't messing around, turning to their No. 2 overall prospect to make his MLB debut during the first round of the playoffs. Including the Southern League playoffs, Kirilloff hit .309/.352/.480 with 11 home runs and a 15.9 K% over his final 60 games in 2019 and reportedly impressed in spring training and this summer at the alternate training site. He bats left-handed, which was likely a key consideration in him getting the start against righty Jose Urquidy.

Naylor went 4-for-4 with a solo homer and an additional run scored in Tuesday's loss to the Yankees in Game 1 of the Wild Card Round.

Naylor hit a solo homer in the fourth inning and was the only Indians player to really give Gerrit Cole trouble as he recorded four hits. The 23-year-old slashed .247/.291/.330 throughout the 2020 regular season and will look to contribute Wednesday in Game 2.

Tellez is on the wild-card roster after his knee injury improved faster than expected, but he's expected to be limited to pinch-hit or designated hitter duty, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Tellez will fill the former role in Game 1, but it's apparently not out of the question that he starts at some point this series. Alejandro Kirk will be the designated hitter Tuesday against the Rays.

Gurriel signed a one-year, $6.5 million extension with the Astros on Tuesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The contract keeps the 36-year-old with the only major-league organization he's ever known for at least one more season. The contract contains a team option for a second season at $8 million, as well as a $500,000 buyout on that option. That buyout will likely be exercised if Gurriel can't improve upon his .232/.274/.384 slash line from this season.