MLB Player News

Chapman (illness) is back in the lineup Friday against the Rays.

Chapman will start at third base and bat fifth versus the undefeated Rays and right-hander Drew Rasmussen after being scratched from the Blue Jays' lineup Thursday due to an illness. He boasts a ridiculous .489/.538/.851 slash line with three home runs and 15 RBI through 12 games this season.

Newman (shoulder) is available off the bench Friday against the Phillies, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Newman took a pitch off his left shoulder Thursday, but X-rays came back negative and he only has some minor bruising. Jose Barrero is getting the start at shortstop for the Reds on Friday versus the visiting Phillies.

LeMahieu (quad) said Friday that he expects to be back in the Yankees' lineup Saturday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

LeMahieu will miss a third straight start Friday with some quad tightness, but it sounds like he's nearly back to 100 percent. The veteran infielder is off to a solid start this season as the Yanks' leadoff hitter, putting up an .833 OPS with one home run in 10 contests.

LeMahieu (quad) remains out of the Yankees' lineup for Friday's game against the Twins.

LeMahieu was reportedly available off the bench Thursday but will now miss a third straight start with a tight quad. Isiah Kiner-Falefa will be at third base and Anthony Volpe is batting leadoff.

Urshela isn't in the Angels' lineup for Friday's game against Boston, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

After starting the season with an impressive .341 batting average, Urshela will get the day off against Tanner Houck and the Red Sox. In his place, Luis Rengifo will slide over to shortstop, and Brandon Drury will pick up a start at second base.

Nevin is starting at third base and batting second for the Tigers in Friday's game versus the Giants.

Nevin was on the bench Wednesday for the first game after his recall but has started each of the last two contests for the Tigers, both times in the two-hole. One was against a righty and this one comes versus lefty Sean Manaea. With the Tigers' offense scuffling, Nevin could get a long look. His fantasy upside is pretty limited, though.

Maton isn't in the Tigers' lineup Friday.

With the left-handed Sean Manaea starting on the mound for San Francisco, Maton will begin the game on the bench. Tyler Nevin will start in his place at the hot corner and bat second.

Moncada was placed on the 10-day injured list by the White Sox on Friday, retroactive to April 11, with lower-back soreness.

Moncada's recovery had been coming along more slowly than anticipated and the team decided to go ahead and make an IL move. He'll be eligible to return April 21 and would seem to have a decent chance to be back at that time. Jake Burger and Hanser Alberto will probably get the first crack to fill in at third base, with Lenyn Sosa and Romy Gonzalez also potentially in the mix.

Moncada (back) no longer is expected back Friday and could instead require a stint on the injured list, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

A trip to the IL looks to be just a possibility, but even if the White Sox aren't ready to make that move yet, Moncada doesn't appear ready to play. The third baseman has been on the shelf all week with a back issue that is coming along slowly. Chicago has been using Hanser Alberto and Jake Burger at the hot corner during Moncada's absence.

Baty could replace Eduardo Escobar as the Mets' starting third baseman very soon if the veteran doesn't emerge from his early season slump, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

After nearly winning a spot on the big-league roster this spring, Baty has kept the pressure on by going 12-for-31 (.387) to begin the year with four homers, 10 RBI and a 6:9 BB:K through eight games with Triple-A Syracuse. Escobar, meanwhile, is batting .103 (4-for-39) with a 2:11 BB:K and an average exit velocity in the fifth percentile. The Mets will give Escobar a little more time to turn things around at the plate, but if he doesn't begin producing soon, Baty is likely to get his chance.