MLB Player News

Pederson is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's matchup against the Giants.

With left-hander Carson Whisenhunt toeing the slab for the Giants, Pederson will sit out Wednesday's series finale. Justin Foscue will replace Pederson as the designated hitter and bat fifth for Texas.

Lowe entered Tuesday's game as a pinch hitter and went 0-for-2 in a 6-2 loss to the Mets.

Lowe, who was acquired from the Reds on Monday, opened his first game with Cleveland on the bench against a left-handed starter. He pinch hit for Rhys Hoskins once a right-handed reliever entered the game and finished out the contest at first base. With the Guardians demoting Kyle Manzardo to Triple-A Columbus on Monday, Lowe is expected to serve as the primary first baseman against right-handed starters.

Diaz went 2-for-5 with a double, a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored in Tuesday's 9-7 extra-innings win over the Rockies.

Diaz notched his third multi-hit effort over his last seven games. The steal was just his third of the season, though two of them have come since the All-Star break. Diaz remains firmly in the leadoff role despite the relative lack of speed, as he continues to set the table well. He's batting .300 with an .831 OPS, 15 home runs, 64 RBI, 61 runs scored, 20 doubles and one triple over 109 contests this season.

Hicks went 2-for-5 with a grand slam, a double and a walk in Tuesday's 9-7 extra-innings win over the Rockies.

Hicks was dealt from Miami at the trade deadline and had a fantastic performance in his Rays debut. His grand slam came with two outs in the third inning, and he ended up with his fifth multi-hit effort in his last eight games when all was said and done. The catcher is batting .284 with an .808 OPS, 15 homers, 66 RBI, 55 runs scored, three stolen bases, 10 doubles and one triple over 102 contests this season. Hicks' steady bat should make him the favorite for starts at catcher over Nick Fortes, especially against right-handed pitchers.

Bell went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 8-2 loss to the Royals.

Bell provided one of Minnesota's few bright spots, taking Steven Cruz deep for a solo homer in the eighth inning. The blast was his 14th of the season and snapped a 21-game homer drought. While the power returned Tuesday, Bell has been relatively quiet since the All-Star break, batting .241 with three RBI and five runs scored across 15 games.

The Mets outrighted Melendez to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.

Melendez was designated for assignment Sunday. He lost his roster spot after hitting for an OPS of .665 in 144 plate appearances for the Mets.

The Cubs optioned Alcantara to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.

Alcantara hit his first MLB home run after being called up from Triple-A on Monday, but he'll now head back to the minors in order to make room for new addition Tyrone Taylor. Alcantara has gone just 5-for-21 in the big leagues this season but owns a .905 OPS through 273 plate appearances at Iowa.

Eldridge isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rangers due to a bruised left thumb, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Eldridge said he suffered the bruise after getting jammed a couple of times last week, and the injury also helps to explain why he was absent from Monday's lineup. He'll be available to serve as a pinch runner Tuesday and is expected to return to the starting nine in Wednesday's series finale. In the meantime, Buddy Kennedy will serve as San Francisco's DH and bat sixth.

The Red Sox optioned Gonzalez to Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Chris Henrique of BostonSportsJournal.com reports

Gonzalez will head back to the minors to help make room on the active roster for the additions Boston made prior to Monday's trade deadline. The 29-year-old utility man has seen his production take a hit this season, slashing just .185/.264/.308 with seven RBI and seven runs scored in 73 plate appearances with Boston.

Ballesteros will start at designated hitter and bat sixth in Tuesday's game against the Orioles.

Ballesteros was acquired from the Cubs in a trade Monday and will be thrown right into the lineup. That the left-handed-hitting Ballesteros is getting a start versus a lefty in Cade Povich is an encouraging sign that the Angels plan to give him everyday reps down the stretch. Ballesteros is a career .249/.328/.408 hitter with a 10.8 percent walk rate and 19.9 percent strikeout so far in the majors.