MLB Player News

Ramirez's absence Friday against the Nationals is due to hand soreness, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

The news is hardly a surprise, as Ramirez returned faster than expected from a broken hamate bone. He'll get at least one day to rest, though whether he returns Saturday could depend at least partially on whether Cleveland is still in the Wild Card hunt.

Urshela (hand) is back in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rangers.

Urshela left Tuesday's game after getting hit in the hand by a pitch, but the injury evidently wasn't a particularly serious one. He'll bat seventh and play third base Friday.

Ramirez is not in the lineup for Friday's game in Washington.

Ramirez returned faster than expected from a broken hand, returning from the injured list Tuesday. He's gone 3-for-9 with three homers and eight RBI since his return, though he's evidently not ready to play every day just yet. Cleveland sits two games out of a Wild Card spot with three left to play, so there's a chance he ends up shut down for the season if a loss Friday eliminates them from contention. Ryan Flaherty starts at the hot corner in his absence.

Chapman went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in Thursday's win over Seattle.

Chapman accounted for the winning margin in the 3-1 contest with a two-run shot to center field in the second inning. The homer was his second in as many days and fifth overall in September. Despite hitting only .247 this season, the 26-year-old has set career highs in homers (36), RBI (91), runs scored (101) and walks (73).

Astudillo went 4-for-5 with a solo home run, two RBI and four runs scored Thursday against the Tigers.

Astudillo reached base four times and came around to score on each occasion. The highlight came in the eighth inning, when he smacked his fourth home run of the campaign. He's played only sparingly down the stretch, as Thursday's start was his third in the team's past eight games.

Chapman went 2-for-5 with a go-ahead two-run home run in a win over the Angels on Wednesday.

Chapman erased a 2-1 deficit and set the Athletics up for a key victory by slugging a 436-foot shot to center in the ninth inning with Marcus Semien aboard. The power-hitting third baseman has parlayed just 11 hits in September into 14 RBI, with his five homers during the month playing a pivotal part. Chapman's month could be even bigger were it not for his significant troubles making consistent contact otherwise, as he's struck out on 30 occasions and has only gone without a strikeout in three of 21 games this month.

Duffy, who went 1-for-4 with an RBI double in a win over the Yankees on Wednesday, is hitting .316 (12-for-38) with six extra-base hits (three doubles, three home runs) over 46 plate appearances in September.

Some of his teammates have been grabbing the headlines recently with their game-winning hits, yet Duffy has rather quietly hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games. The veteran's .248/.340/.305 line for the season leaves something to be desired in terms of both batting average and slugging percentage, but his current stretch of hitting is a particularly welcome sight considering it's come during the Rays' playoff push and the fact he hit just .189 in August.

Candelario is not in Thursday's lineup against the Twins.

He is 5-for-27 (.185) with one home run over his last 10 games. John Hicks will start at first base and hit sixth.

Devers will not be in the lineup Thursday against the Rangers, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Devers, who is starting at third base and hitting second Wednesday, will head to the bench for Thursday's series finale as the Red Sox -- which are eliminated from the playoffs -- look to rest some of their regulars over the final week of the season.

Urshela (hand) will sit Wednesday against the Rays.

Urshela left Tuesday's game after getting hit by a pitch in the hand. His X-rays were negative, and although manager Aaron Boone suggested he may not have to miss any time, that was apparently overly optimistic. He'll sit for at least one game and will get another rest with the Yankees' scheduled off day coming up Thursday. According to Lindsey Adler of The Athletic, he's expected to rejoin the lineup Friday against the Rangers.