MLB Player News

Manager Rocco Baldelli said Sunday that Kirilloff (shoulder) isn't expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list during the Twins' three-game series in Cleveland that begins Monday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Kirilloff has been on the shelf since July 30 with a right shoulder strain, but he looks to be closing in on a return to 100 percent health. He began a rehab assignment at Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday and has been dialed in at the dish through his first three games, going 5-for-13 with a home run, a double and two RBI. Kirilloff hasn't experienced a setback with the shoulder, but Baldelli said that he wants the 25-year-old to pick up some more at-bats in the minors in light of his month-long layoff. Kirilloff could be a candidate to return from the IL next weekend, at which point he may settle into the strong side of a platoon at first base with Donovan Solano.

Batten will start at third base and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Giants.

Batten appears to have moved into the near-everyday lineup spot that was created when Jake Cronenworth (wrist) landed on the injured list Aug. 26. In addition to making one start at Cronenworth's usual post at second base, Batten has now picked up a pair of starts at third base and one at first base over the Padres' last four games. Manny Machado has been seeing more time at designated hitter of late as a result of Batten's addition to the Friars' infield mix.

Cooper is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Cooper has been operating as San Diego's primary first baseman over the past couple weeks, and he's succeeded in the role with an .805 OPS in his last 11 games. Matt Carpenter will start at first and bat seventh for Sunday's series finale versus San Francisco.

Schanuel is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Schanuel's run of five consecutive starts will come to an end while the Angels give the lefty-hitting rookie a breather against Athletics southpaw Kyle Muller. Brandon Drury will spell Schnauel at first base and bat third in the series finale.

Montero will start at first base and bat sixth in Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Montero will pick up his third consecutive start Sunday, this time facing off against right-hander Kevin Gausman after he had previously re-entered the lineup versus a pair of southpaws to begin the series with Toronto. Following his call-up from Triple-A Albuquerque last weekend, Hunter Goodman had displaced Montero as the team's everyday first baseman, but manager Bud Black has now deployed Goodman at designated hitter and in right field for the rookie's last two starts. With Michael Toglia now sitting out for a third straight game and Goodman getting looks elsewhere, Montero looks like he'll settle back in as the Rockies' primary first baseman. Montero enters Sunday's contest with a .417/.488/.694 slash line over his past 11 contests.

Toglia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

The switch-hitting Toglia finds himself on the bench for the third game in a row, this time versus Toronto right-hander Kevin Gausman after he had been excluded from the lineup against a pair of southpaws in the first two contests of the series. Dating back to Aug. 9, Toglia is slashing .127/.186/.291 with a 30.5 percent strikeout rate over a stretch of 17 games, and his ongoing slump may have prompted manager Bud Black to pull the plug on the youngster in an everyday role. Elehuris Montero will pick up a third straight start Sunday at Toglia's expense.

Naylor (oblique) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Sunday and is batting third as the designated hitter versus the Rays.

Naylor has been sidelined for the past month with an oblique strain, but he's ready to rejoin the Guardians after a three-game rehab stint with Double-A Akron. The 26-year-old has a .306/.346/.500 slash line with 15 home runs, six steals, 79 RBI and 41 runs through 96 games this season, and he'll reclaim an everyday spot in Cleveland's lineup for the stretch.

Walker (elbow) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.

Walker exited Saturday's contest with a right elbow contusion after being hit by a pitch and will be sidelined for at least one game. The 28-year-old already had X-rays come back negative, so he appears to have avoided a serious injury and should be considered day-to-day. Pavin Smith is starting at first base Sunday for Arizona.

Solano is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Despite delivering a four-hit performance in Saturday's 9-7 win and maintaining a .395/.430/.481 batting line since Aug. 1, Solano will hit the bench Sunday for the second straight matchup with a right-handed pitcher (Jon Gray). Minnesota will roll out the same lineup they used against right-hander Max Scherzer in Friday's series opener, with Joey Gallo spelling Solano at first base once again.

Rivas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Rivas will take a seat for the second day in a row while the Pirates oppose another lefty (Zack Thompson) in the series finale. The righty-hitting Connor Joe will spell the lefty-hitting Rivas at first base.