MLB Player News

Pratt (illness) will start at shortstop and bat ninth in Wednesday's game versus the Pirates.

Pratt didn't participate in Tuesday's game due to illness, but he feels well enough a day later to give it a go. The rookie shortstop is slashing .273/.341/.369 with three home runs and 13 stolen bases in his first 64 big-league contests.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Wednesday that Walls (hip) felt good during his workouts Tuesday, and the team is encouraged by the shortstop's progress, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Walls hit the 10-day injured list Sept. 8 with a right hip flexor strain, but it sounds like he won't miss much more than the minimum, with Bass indicating Walls could return as soon as Thursday. Now 30, Walls is a .199/.290/.297 career hitter over parts of six MLB seasons. However, Tampa Bay values his defense, and that aspect of his game has kept Walls in a regular role throughout the season (110 starts).

Abrams (neck) will start at second base and bat cleanup in Wednesday's contest versus the Phillies.

Abrams was unable to play Tuesday because of neck tightness, but he's ready to roll after one day of rest. It's the sixth start at second base this season for Abrams, who has split time between both spots in the middle infield over the last two-plus weeks.

Montgomery was removed from Wednesday's game versus the Guardians in the fifth inning with a left wrist contusion.

Montgomery initially stayed in the game after being hit by a Parker Messick pitch in the fourth inning, but he eventually had to be replaced. X-rays came back negative, and he's listed as day-to-day. Aside from the hit-by-pitch, Montgomery struck out in his only other plate appearance before being removed.

The Twins placed Culpepper on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a left hamstring strain.

Culpepper tweaked his hamstring while running out a double play in Tuesday's loss to the Yankees. The strain is considered mild, giving Culpepper a chance to return for the final two games of the regular season, per Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Ben Ross is starting at shortstop for the Twins on Wednesday, and he could share the position with Ryan Kreidler while Culpepper is shelved.

Gimenez is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Gimenez will take a seat during Wednesday's series finale after starting each of the previous 10 contests. Ernie Clement will cover shortstop and Josh Smith will cover second base for the Blue Jays.

Winn is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Winn will get the afternoon off after starting each of the previous five contests. It will be Thomas Saggese manning shortstop and batting seventh for the Cardinals in Wednesday's rubber match.

Ortiz went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Pirates.

It's the 28-year-old infielder's second straight two-RBI performance, as he raises his game to close out the regular season, Over 12 contests in September, Ortiz is batting .417 (15-for-36) with two doubles, two homers, five runs and eight RBI.

Seager went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Tuesday's 4-2 win over Boston.

Seager delivered a two-out, two-run single to finish off the Rangers' four-run second inning. The shortstop has knocked in five runs over the last two contests and has been heavily involved in the offense this month, as the Rangers vie for a playoff spot. Seager is 16-for-53 (.302) with three doubles, five home runs, 11 RBI and 10 runs scored over 13 September games.

Pena went 3-for-4 with two solo homers, three runs scored and a strikeout during Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Royals.

Pena notched his first multi-homer game since July 26 against the White Sox. The 28-year-old smacked a solo shot off Michael Wacha in both the first and third innings. This year, Pena is slashing .273/.325/.465 with 19 homers, 49 RBI and nine stolen bases over 434 plate appearances.