MLB Player News

Devers (quadriceps) is batting second and playing third base Saturday against the Rays, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

As expected, the star third baseman returns to action after missing a couple games with left quadriceps soreness. The injury is still worth monitoring, though, as such issues can linger and affect one's performance if not fully healed. In 12 games since the All-Star break, Devers has hit .325 with five home runs and 10 RBI.

Freeman was placed on the 7-day minor-league injured list with a left shoulder strain Saturday.

Freeman missed nearly a month with the same injury in late June and early July, and he went 5-for-17 with three doubles, three runs and a walk in five games at Double-A Akron after returning from the injured list. It's not yet clear how much time he'll miss after the issue apparently flared up recently.

Chapman went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Friday in a 2-0 victory versus the Angels.

Chapman gave Oakland an insurance run with his solo shot to center field in the eighth inning. The long ball was his third in his past seven games and 14th overall this season. Chapman has slashed a disappointing .219/.310/.382 in 2021, and he is hitting only .188 with a 35.5 percent strikeout rate in July.

Astudillo went 3-for-4 with a double in a loss to the Cardinals on Friday.

Playing third base and hitting out of the five spot, Astudillo notched his second straight three-hit performance and belted his second double in as many games. He has gone 6-for-10 over his past two games to lift his season average from .246 to .271.

Moncada went 3-for-5 with a homer and two runs scored in Friday's 6-4 win over Cleveland.

Moncada put the White Sox on the board with his solo blast of J.C. Mejia in the second inning. It was his ninth long ball of the year and fourth over the last 13 games. The 26-year-old infielder raised his OPS to an even .800 with 29 extra-base hits through 395 plate appearances this season.

Devers (quadriceps) is expected to return to the lineup Saturday against the Rays, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Devers missed the last two games after he suffered a quadriceps injury in Wednesday's nightcap against the Blue Jays. However, manager Alex Cora said that the third baseman felt good Friday, and he could have been available off the bench if needed. Devers has gone 6-for-11 with a home run, two doubles and two RBI across his last three appearances.

Manager Rocco Baldelli said after Friday's game that Donaldson's hamstring injury is considered minor, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Donaldson was a late scratch from Friday's lineup, and Baldelli said that the third baseman's hamstring tightened up just before first pitch. The 35-year-old received treatment Friday, and the team will see how he feels Saturday before determining whether he can return.

Toro went 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored in Friday's 9-5 win over the Rangers.

Toro doubled and scored in the second inning and then came around to score again after singling in the third. Over the last five games, he's 7-for-16 with five extra-base hits and six runs scored. The 24-year-old infielder will carve out a prominent role in Seattle's lineup if he continues swinging the bat like this. Toro's OPS is up to .762 through 133 plate appearances this season.

Donaldson was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Cardinals due to right hamstring tightness, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

It's not yet clear whether Donaldson could be available off the bench Friday or whether he'll return to the lineup for Saturday's contest. Willians Astudillo will start at third base and bat fifth.

Devers (quadriceps) isn't starting Friday's game against the Rays, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Devers was hoping he could return for Friday's series opener in Tampa Bay, but he'll be out of the lineup for at least one more game due to left quadriceps tightness. Jonathan Arauz will start at the hot corner and bat ninth.