MLB Player News

McKinstry will start at third base and bat sixth in Thursday's game against the Guardians, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Even with Javier Baez (back) returning from the injured list Monday, McKinstry has been able to retain a near-everyday role in the Detroit infield, at least against right-handed pitching. McKinstry will draw his fifth consecutive start Thursday, with the 29-year-old having picked up three starts at third base and two at shortstop during that span. Third base could end up being the primary home for McKinstry if he hits well enough to retain a regular spot in the lineup, as Matt Vierling is capable of filling in as an outfielder while Parker Meadows (hamstring) is on the shelf.

Neto went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's win over the Rangers.

Neto singled in his first trip to the plate before coming around to score on a Mickey Moniak homer in the following at-bat as the Angels took an early 4-0 lead. The shortstop would then drive home three runs of his own over the course of the night, starting with an RBI double in the third and finishing with a two-run blast in the eighth, giving him his 12th long ball of the campaign. Neto has now posted multiple hits in back-to-back games, while Wednesday marked his third three-hit performance this season.

Pena went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Wednesday's 9-1 win over the Marlins.

The theft was Pena's first since June 14. He hit .240 (18-for-75) across the 20 games in between steals, and he's up to 11 pilfers on 15 attempts this season. The shortstop continues to hit well in a starting role, batting .277 with a .711 OPS, seven home runs, 40 RBI and 46 runs scored across 90 contests this season.

Bichette was removed from Wednesday's game versus San Francisco due to right calf soreness.

The severity of Bichette's injury remains unclear, but it was apparently bothering him enough to warrant his removal from Wednesday's contest in the fourth inning. Leo Jimenez entered as Bichette's replacement at shortstop and would likely be the next man up to start should the 26-year-old's calf cause him to miss any amount of time.

Correa went 4-for-7 with a solo home run and a walk in Wednesday's doubleheader against the White Sox.

After going 3-for-4 in the matinee, Correa launched a solo home run off Drew Thorpe in the nightcap, tying the game,2-2. The 29-year-old shortstop now has at least one hit in 12 of his last 13 games, going 17-for-46 (.370) with five home runs in that span. With his current hot streak, Correa's boosted his slash line to .310/.379/.526 with 13 homers, 47 RBI and 50 runs scored through 312 plate appearances this season.

Baez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians.

After coming off the 10-day injured list Monday, Baez started at shortstop in both of the first two contests of the series, going 1-for-6 with a double between the two contests. Though he's expected to see the bulk of the starts at shortstop now that he's healthy again, Baez will give way Wednesday to utility man Zach McKinstry.

The Rays will place Franco (personal) on the restricted list Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Franco had previously spent the entirety of the season on administrative leave, but MLB granted the Rays' request to move the 23-year-old to the restricted list after he had charges formally filed against him by prosecutors in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday. According to Marc Topkin and Juan Carlos Chavez of the Tampa Bay Times, Franco faces charges of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor as well as human trafficking, the latter of which carries a 15-to-20-year prison term if convicted. Major League Baseball isn't expected to issue any disciplinary action for Franco until the legal process is completed, but he won't accrue MLB service time or receive a salary while he's on the restricted list.

Caballero is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

Caballero had started five of the previous six contests, but he will begin Wednesday's contest on the bench. Taylor Walls and Richie Palacios will form the Rays' double-play combination Wednesday.

Hamilton is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Jamie Westbrook and Ceddanne Rafaela will serve as the Red Sox's starters in the middle infield while the lefty-hitting Hamilton sits against southpaw JP Sears. Hamilton should continue to serve as Boston's primary option at second base against right-handers with Enmanuel Valdez having been optioned to Triple-A Worcester.

Schuemann went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a walk in a loss to the Red Sox on Tuesday.

The rookie extended his on-base streak to seven games, a stretch during which he's cobbled together an impressive .350 average and 1.130 OPS, along with three of his eight steals on the season. Schuemann has a modest four-game hitting streak going as well, pushing his improving season slash line to .236/.329/.347 across 234 plate appearances.