-
Michael Massey 2B | KC
Royals' Michael Massey: Idle against southpaw
Massey is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.
After starting the Royals' previous six games, the left-handed hitter will retreat to the bench Sunday while southpaw Framber Valdez toes the rubber for the Tigers. Andrew Velazquez will check in for Massey at second base and bat ninth, with Tyler Tolbert manning shortstop.
-
Anthony Seigler 2B | BOS
Red Sox's Anthony Seigler: On bench for series finale
Seigler is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.
Romy Gonzalez will draw the start at second base in place of Seigler, but both could be headed for bench roles after the Red Sox acquired Curtis Mead from the Nationals earlier Sunday. Though Mead had primarily been used at third base and first base with Washington, Boston interim manager Chad Tracy said that the infielder will see most of his initial opportunities at the keystone. With a .774 OPS in 29 games with the big club this season, Seigler has performed well enough to maintain at least a semi-regular role, so it's possible that he and/or Mead end up cutting into Masataka Yoshida's playing time at designated hitter.
-
Zach McKinstry RF | DET
Tigers' Zach McKinstry: Not in Sunday's lineup
McKinstry is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
The utility man started the previous four games at three different positions but will hit the bench Sunday after going 5-for-14 with a double and an RBI during that span. Kerry Carpenter is manning right field while Gleyber Torres serves as the designated hitter in the series finale versus Kansas City.
-
Ben Williamson 2B | TB
Rays' Ben Williamson: Drawing fourth straight start
Williamson will start at shortstop and bat sixth in Sunday's game against the Guardians.
Williamson will stick in the starting nine for a fourth straight game while Taylor Walls (fingers) is on the bench for another contest. If Walls' hyperextended fingers don't force him to the injured list, he will eventually settle back in as the Rays' everyday shortstop and push Williamson back into the short side of a platoon at second base with Richie Palacios.
-
Marcelo Mayer 3B | SF
Red Sox's Marcelo Mayer: Hitting off tee
Mayer (forearm) has progressed from dry swings to hitting off a tee, MLB.com reports.
Mayer has been sidelined since late June and is still without a firm timeline to return. He'll need to advance to facing live pitching and a rehab assignment before rejoining Boston's active roster.
-
Josh H. Smith LF | TOR
Rangers' Josh Smith: Starts Saturday
Smith started at third base and went 0-for-4 in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Mariners.
Smith was called up after Texas placed third baseman Josh Jung (calf) on the 10-day injured list Saturday. With both Jung and shortstop Corey Seager (back) on the shelf, there could be opportunities for the versatile Smith, who can also play the outfield. He shifted to left field Saturday when Wyatt Langford (ankle) was removed from the game.
-
Ernie Clement 2B | TOR
Blue Jays' Ernie Clement: Three hits, stolen base in win
Clement went 3-for-4 with a double, one RBI and a stolen base in Saturday's 6-0 win over the Red Sox.
Clement was a tough out all game, highlighted by an RBI double in the third inning. The 30-year-old has posted four multi-hit efforts in nine contests to open the second half, though this was just his first RBI during that stretch. For the year, he's slashing .298/.323/.425 with eight homers, 33 RBI, 46 runs scored and four steals across 412 plate appearances.
-
Hao Yu Lee 2B | DET
Tigers' Hao-Yu Lee: Carries offense in loss to KC
Lee went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and two RBI in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Royals.
The 23-year-old infielder brought home Riley Greene in the second inning with a two-bagger before lofting a solo shot off Michael Wacha in the fourth, but the Tigers' offense went cold the rest of the way. Lee has started five of the last seven games while bouncing between second base and third base, and Saturday's performance extended his current hitting streak to 10 games -- a stretch in which he's batting .382 (13-for-34) with three doubles, two homers, five runs and eight RBI.
-
Josh H. Smith LF | TOR
Rangers' Josh Smith: Back with big club
The Rangers recalled Smith from Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.
Since being optioned to Triple-A on July 9, Smith has gone 7-for-34 (.206) with two steals and one RBI. However, he'll return to the big club to fill the void on the 26-man roster left by Josh Jung, who was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a left calf strain. Smith will return to major-league action immediately, as he's starting at third base and batting eighth against the Mariners on Saturday.
-
Luke Keaschall 2B | MIN
Twins' Luke Keaschall: Sitting Saturday
Keaschall is not in the Twins' starting lineup against the Athletics on Saturday.
Keaschall has started versus left-handed pitching pretty regularly this season but will be idle against A's southpaw Brady Basso while the Twins start Trevor Larnach, Byron Buxton and Alan Roden in the outfield from left to right. Keaschall has gone 6-for-21 (.286) with one steal and one RBI in seven games since the All-Star break.