MLB Player News

Duran is absent from the lineup Friday versus the Brewers.

Mitch Garver will fill the DH role and Josh Smith will cover first base as the Rangers take on right-hander Brandon Woodruff. Duran, a right-handed hitter, has done most of his damage against lefties this season.

Baez (bereavement) is expected back for the second game of Friday's doubleheader in Cleveland, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Baez will not be available for the first game as he makes his way back from Puerto Rico, where he was attending funeral services for his grandfather, but he is expected back in the lineup for the nightcap. Zach McKinstry is at shortstop for the afternoon tilt.

Correa (foot) is playing shortstop and batting cleanup Friday versus the Pirates.

Correa didn't play in Wednesday's win over the Tigers due to what the Twins simply referred to as soreness, but it's reasonable to assume it was foot-related since he's been playing through plantar fasciitis for a while. He's feeling well enough to give it a go Friday after Thursday's off day, as he and his Minnesota teammates take on Andre Jackson and the Pirates.

Bichette (knee) is expected to be back in the Blue Jays' lineup Saturday in Cincinnati, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Bichette revealed the news himself while being interviewed after he homered and played shortstop Thursday in his second rehab game with Triple-A Buffalo. He will fly to Cincinnati to join his team Friday, but it sounds like the Jays will wait until Saturday to activate him, or at least put him in the lineup. Bichette has been sidelined since late July because of patellar tendinitis in his right knee.

Neto (back) is reportedly pain-free and is expected to return to baseball activities as soon as Friday, per MLB.com.

Neto landed on the injured list with a back injury Aug. 4 and hasn't taken part in baseball activities since. He was diagnosed with inflammation but has subsequently made progress toward his return. Neto is expected back before the end of the campaign, though he may still be several weeks away from being activated.

Baez is expected to return from the bereavement list Friday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Baez has been away from the Tigers since Saturday while attending funeral services for his grandfather in Puerto Rico. He should appear in at least one half of Friday's doubleheader against the Guardians. Thursday's series opener in Cleveland was postponed due to rain, resulting in the twin bill.

Baez (bereavement) remains away from the Tigers on Thursday.

Baez was placed on the bereavement list Saturday as he traveled to Puerto Rico to attend his grandfather's funeral. The bereavement list window is three-to-seven days, so it's possible he doesn't rejoin the club until this weekend. Zack Short will start at shortstop and bat ninth Thursday as the Tigers open a four-game series in Cleveland.

Anderson's suspension was reduced to five games Thursday, and he will begin serving the ban Friday in Colorado, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

With the suspension for participating in the Aug. 5 brawl with the Guardians going into effect Friday, the shortstop will miss the series in Colorado and the first two games in Seattle early next week. He will return from the suspension Aug. 23, the rubber match of the series against the Mariners. Anderson's suspension was reduced from six games after he settled with the league before an appeal hearing was needed.

Crawford (concussion) could be activated from the 7-day injured list ahead of Sunday's series finale in Houston, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

He landed on the 7-day IL last Friday, following a collision two days prior with teammate Eugenio Suarez. Crawford has shown steady improvement throughout this week and will soon report to High-A Everett for a quick minor-league rehab stint. Jose Caballero and Dylan Moore have been sharing starts at shortstop in his absence while Julio Rodriguez has been hitting leadoff.

Boston manager Alex Cora said Reyes will serve as the backup first baseman while Justin Turner plays through a bone bruise on his left heel, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Turner is limited to designated hitter duty for the time being, so Cora said Reyes will play first base whenever Triston Casas sits. Reyes has never played first base in the majors, but he's had a reliable bat of late, which the manager could use if needed. Reyes, who popped a two-run home run Wednesday, is batting .394 (13-for-33) with two home runs, three doubles, six RBI and seven runs scored over the last nine games.