MLB Player News

Walker (back) is batting fourth and playing first base Friday against the Rays.

Walker was removed from Wednesday's game against the Twins with lower-back stiffness, but Thursday's off day provided enough rest for the slugger. Walker is slashing .239/.310/.469 with 19 homers, 56 RBI, 45 runs scored and a 30:81 BB:K across 361 plate appearances this season. However, after a hot start to the campaign, Walker is batting .210 with a .702 OPS and 93 wRC+ since the beginning of May.

Contreras will appeal the seven-game suspension he received Thursday, allowing him to keep playing until the appeal process is completed, Evan Drellich of The Athletic reports.

MLB issued bans for Contreras and teammate Nate Eaton (three games) along with Washington pitchers Cade Cavalli (seven games) and Miles Mikolas (five games) for their roles in a benches-clearing incident that occurred Tuesday. Contreras' suspension was set to begin Friday, but he'll remain active for the Red Sox's series opener against the Angels while he waits for appeal process to play out.

Contreras received a seven-game suspension Thursday for his actions during and following Tuesday's benches-clearing incident against the Nationals, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

The benches-clearing incident Tuesday was sparked after Cade Cavalli struck out Contreras, which led to Contreras being ejected. Along with the first baseman, Nate Eaton was also suspended for three games. On the Nationals' side, Cavalli received a seven-game suspension and Miles Mikolas a five-game ban. Unless Contreras appeals the suspension, he won't be able to play until July 11.

Manager Will Venable said Monday that Murakami (hamstring) traveled with the team for its road trip and is considered day-to-day, but the White Sox haven't yet established a timeline for the first baseman to begin a rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

Per Chuck Garfien of Chicago Sports Network, Venable said last Friday that Murakami was sprinting at about "85 percent," and the 26-year-old rookie has presumably increased the intensity of his running in the week since then. Assuming Murakami does in fact require a rehab assignment prior to being activated, he likely won't be available for the White Sox until at least next week. Jacob Gonzalez has been filling in as Chicago's primary first baseman since Murakami was placed on the 10-day injured list May 30 after straining his right hamstring.

Clemens went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run during Wednesday's 8-3 win against the Astros.

Clemens delivered what ended up being the game-deciding runs when he clubbed his 14th homer of the season during the second inning. The super-utility man got his sixth straight start at second base and continues to be utilized all across the diamond with 48 appearances at first base and 29 in the outfield so far this year.

Walker was removed from Wednesday's game against the Twins with lower-back stiffness, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Walker went 0-for-2 with a pair of strikeouts before being replaced by a pinch hitter in the sixth inning. He'll get an extra day to rest up before the Astros begin their next series Friday against the Rays, but if he's unable to play in the opener, Isaac Paredes would likely be next in line to start at first base, creating an opportunity at third for Brice Matthews.

Goldschmidt is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

The Yankees will go with Ben Rice at first base and Amed Rosario at designated hitter in the series finale, leaving no room in the starting nine for Goldschmidt. Though he's been productive on the whole during his age-38 season with an .867 OPS, Goldschmidt has gone 0-for-16 with one walk over the Yankees' last five games.

Pasquantino (hand) will continue his rehab in Arizona to begin July with the hope of embarking on a rehab assignment before the All-Star break, MLB.com reports.

Pasquantino hit the injured list June 14 and underwent surgery to remove a fractured hamate bone in his right hand, with an initial recovery timeline of 4-to-6 weeks. Based on that timetable and recent indications, the first baseman isn't expected to rejoin the Royals before the All-Star break, though a minor-league rehab assignment before the break seems to be the tentative plan. Pasquantino is hitting .224/.309/.350 with six homers, 32 RBI, 28 runs and three stolen bases across 68 games this season.

Guerrero (back) will start at first base and bat second in Wednesday's game against the Mets.

The Blue Jays scratched Guerrero from the lineup prior to Tuesday's 3-0 loss after he experienced back tightness, but the issue seems to have resolved itself after a day off. Given the high price fantasy managers paid for him at the draft table, Guerrero still looks like a must-start player in the majority of leagues despite having been a major disappointment thus far with a .268 average, four home runs, six stolen bases, 34 RBI and 45 runs through 81 games.

Manzardo went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to Texas.

Manzardo put the Guardians up early with his two-run shot in the first inning off Jacob deGrom. It was the 10th homer of the season for the 25-year-old first baseman, whose bat has come around after a slow start to the season. Manzardo, who posted a .186/.268/.244 slash line through the end of April, has slashed .257/.351/.486 with nine homers and 22 RBI over 48 games since May 1.