MLB Player News

Valencia is out of the lineup against Toronto on Saturday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Valencia will receive a day off after going 1-for-5 with a pair of strikeouts during Friday's contest. In his place, Joey Rickard will man right field and bat eighth.

Rays manager Kevin Cash labeled Duffy as day-to-day after the third baseman developed a recurrence of back spasms Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Initially included in the Rays' lineup for their second-half opener Friday against the Marlins, Duffy was scratched a couple hours before the contest after his back stiffened up while he was driving to Tropicana Field and then flared up again in the batting cage. Duffy will presumably attempt to go through a workout Saturday morning before the Rays determine his availability for the second game of the series. Adeiny Hechavarria entered the lineup in Duffy's stead Friday, finishing 2-for-5 with an RBI.

Escobar went 1-for-3 with a double, two walks and two runs in the Twins' 6-5 loss to the Royals on Friday.

It was an active day for the 29-year-old, who laced his league-leading 36th double of the season. Escobar is currently on pace for 61 two-baggers and has 52 extra-base hits through 91 games overall, part of the reason he owns a .509 slugging percentage that would easily be a career-best mark if he can maintain it the rest of the season.

Devers (shoulder) will return from the 10-day disabled list ahead of Saturday's tilt against the Tigers, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

Devers was placed on the disabled list July 12 due to shoulder inflammation, and after successfully completing a workout Friday, he'll return to action. He figures to resume his role as the starting third baseman, likely bumping Eduardo Nunez back to second base. The 21-year-old is slashing .241/.292/.424 with 14 homers and 48 RBI through 89 games this season.

Devers (shoulder) will participate in a workout Friday and could come off the 10-day DL prior to Saturday's contest, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Devers was placed on the shelf July 12 due to shoulder inflammation, so Saturday will be the first day he's eligible to return. If all goes well during his workout, he will likely be back in the starting lineup at third base for Saturday's tilt.

Davis was called up from Triple-A Fresno on Friday.

As expected, Davis will join the big-league team after the Astros optioned Tyler White to the minors prior to the All-Star break. Davis will likely serve as Yulieski Gurriel's backup while also sprinkling in some time in left field. Across 15 games with Houston this year, Davis has hit .219/.375/.438 with two home runs and three RBI.

Duffy was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Marlins with back spasms, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Duffy was also a late scratch in the final game before the All-Star break, though that was due to an ankle injury. Daniel Robertson will slide over to third base, with Adeiny Hechavarria coming into the lineup as a shortstop.

Duffy (ankle) will start at third base and bat second against Miami on Friday, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

It appears as though Duffy is fully healed from a right ankle injury that he suffered during Saturday's game against the Twins. Across 80 games this year, Duffy has slashed .317/.371/.413 with four home runs, 27 RBI and seven stolen bases.

Davis is likely to be called up to Houston on Friday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic Houston reports.

The Astros sent Tyler White down before the break and will need to make a corresponding move before play resumes Friday. Davis has been out of the lineup for Triple-A Fresno since Tuesday, possibly in order to give him a break before joining the big-league club. In a pair of brief stints in the majors earlier this season, Davis has hit .200/.321/.267 in 17 games.

Paredes was promoted to Double-A Erie on Thursday.

Paredes had been in a constant groove with High-A Lakeland since the beginning of June, hitting .307 with a .915 OPS, eight home runs and 23 RBI over those 39 games. The 19-year-old shortstop will now get his first crack at the Double-A level. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, expect Paredes to finish out the 2018 campaign with Erie.