MLB Player News

Diaz (shoulder) said after Sunday's 5-1 win over the Diamondbacks that he's "hurting a little bit" but is optimistic that he'll be able to play Tuesday in Kansas City, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Diaz went 1-for-2 with an RBI and an RBI before exiting Sunday's game due to a left shoulder strain. He appears to have avoided anything overly significant, and Diaz should be aided by the Rays' team off day Monday. The 34-year-old can be considered day-to-day ahead of the team's three-game set in Kansas City.

Suarez was removed from Sunday's game against the Pirates after being hit by a pitch in the hand/wrist, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Suarez went 0-for-2 with a strikeout before being plunked in the sixth inning. He remained in to run the bases but was replaced by a pinch hitter the next time through the order. The 34-year-old seems likely to undergo precautionary X-rays and should be considered day-to-day until the team updates his status.

The Red Sox optioned Gasper to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

The 30-year-old had received fairly regular playing time between catcher and designated hitter since about mid-May, but his .486 OPS in 17 games this month will result in him being demoted. Romy Gonzalez (shoulder) was reinstated from the injured list and will take over Gasper's spot on the 26-man active roster.

Wagner is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

Since Wagner was called up from Triple-A El Paso on June 9, most of his absences from the lineup have come against left-handed pitching, but he'll take a seat against right-hander Emmet Sheehan on Sunday. Wagner is getting on base at a robust .432 clip since his promotion, but he's offered little value thus far in traditional 5x5 rotisserie leagues with a .265 average, zero home runs, zero RBI, zero steals and five runs over 15 games.

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

The left-handed-hitting Smith will head to the bench while southpaw Robbie Ray takes the hill for the Giants. With Smith out of the lineup, Drake Baldwin will get a day from catching but will stick in the starting nine at designated hitter.

Eldridge is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta.

The Giants will shield the left-handed-hitting Eldridge from a tough lefty (Chris Sale) in the series finale. The freshly activated Heliot Ramos will enter the starting nine at designated hitter while Eldridge heads to the bench for the first time since June 2.

Diaz was removed from Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks due to a left shoulder strain, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

The veteran slugger went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored prior to departing the contest. Diaz should be considered day-to-day as he continues to be evaluated, and he'll have a team day off Monday to aid in his recovery ahead of Tuesday's series opener in Kansas City.

Soler is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.

After making a surprise return from the injured list Monday, Soler served as the Angels' designated hitter for each of the team's ensuing five games and went 4-for-16 with a pair of home runs, four walks, four RBI and three runs. He doesn't appear to have experienced any setbacks with his oblique injury since returning to action, so Soler's absence from the lineup Sunday is likely just a planned rest day.

Bell is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.

The Twins will hold Bell out of the starting nine for the second Sunday in a row in a planned rest day. Byron Buxton will get a day off from playing center field but stick in the starting nine as Bell's replacement at designated hitter.

Eldridge went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Saturday's 5-0 win over Atlanta.

Eldridge doubled in the second inning before coming around to score, marking his second two-bagger in as many days. The 21-year-old has been struggling at the plate of late, batting .111 with three runs scored across 32 plate appearances over his last eight games. Overall, he's slashing .279/.374/.486 with 22 runs scored, 16 RBI and six home runs in 163 plate appearances this season.