MLB Player News

Manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that LeMahieu (thumb) could return over the weekend, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

LeMahieu is expected to face live pitching sometime this weekend, but he could return if that goes well. The 32-year-old has been sidelined since Aug. 16 with a sprained left thumb but has made significant progress recently.

Moncada went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored in Wednesday's 10-3 win over Pittsburgh.

Moncada had one hit in his previous 15 at-bats before delivering multiple two-baggers Wednesday. He's been battling through leg soreness the last week, and the life his bat showed Wednesday is a positive sign.

Duffy is part of the Yankees' current taxi squad, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Duffy was signed by the Yankees in late June but did not make the team's Opening Day roster. He provides versatility and plenty of big-league experience, though he is ineligible to play unless the team first clears room for him on the active roster.

Chapman (head) is expected to start Thursday's game against the Rangers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 27-year-old was hit in the helmet by a pitch Tuesday and was a late scratch from Wednesday's lineup, though he still appeared in the contest as a defensive replacement. Chapman didn't suffer a concussion, so the A's were likely just expressing caution with their third baseman.

Ramirez went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run and a walk in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Twins.

Ramirez put Cleveland ahead with his three-run blast off Twins starter Jose Berrios in the third inning. It's the sixth homer of the year for Ramirez, who has added eight stolen bases, 21 RBI and 23 runs scored while posting a .240/.336/.455 slash line in 31 games.

Chapman was scratched from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers for an undisclosed reason.

Chapman remained in the game after being hit in the helmet by a pitch Tuesday, although the club hasn't confirmed whether his absence Wednesday is related. Vimael Machin will enter the lineup as the third baseman. Whether Chapman misses any additional time remains to be seen.

LeMahieu (thumb) is progressing well and and should face live pitching at some point this weekend, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Manager Aaron Boone said the team is "really encouraged" by LeMahieu's progress facing high-velocity pitching from a pitching machine. If facing live pitching goes well, he could be activated early next week.

Rivera started at second base and went 0-for-2 in Tuesday's 10-3 loss to the Athletics.

Rivera filled in for the injured Rougned Odor, who was scratched due to an eye infection. Rangers manager Chris Woodward opted for the right-handed-hitting Rivera against Oakland lefty Sean Manaea instead of Derek Dietrich, a lefty batter who later replaced Rivera when right-hander Lou Trivino entered the game. Rivera is hitless in five plate appearances since being promoted to the active roster.

Toro started at third base and went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in the nightcap of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Angels.

Toro, who sat out the first game in favor of Jack Mayfield, launched his third home run, which snapped an 0-for-15 run. Toro has been the primary replacement at third base as the Astros manage the hot corner while Alex Bregman remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Moncada has been playing though what manager Rick Renteria describes as leg soreness and fatigue, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Moncada recently sat out a game due to the leg issue and is 1-for-15 in his last four games. Renteria is asking the third baseman "to be very controlled when he's moving out there." This could be a residual effect of Moncada's late start to summer camp due to the coronavirus.