MLB Player News

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

Kevin McGonigle will cover shortstop in the series finale in place of Baez, who started at the position in each of the Tigers' previous three contests while going 4-for-14 with three RBI. Though he appears to be locked in as a near-everyday player for the time being, Baez could fade into more of a part-time role once Kerry Carpenter (foot) eventually returns from the injured list.

Mariners manager Dan Wilson said Saturday that Brash (lat) is "looming" closer to throwing a bullpen session, MLB.com reports.

On the shelf since June 10 due to a Grade 1 right lat strain, Brash was able to begin a throwing progression a few weeks ago and has thus far been limited to playing catch. Brash has been gradually increasing the distance of his throwing without any apparent issues, so he looks poised to take the next step in his recovery program by getting back on a mound. Brash appears to be trending toward a late-August return from the 15-day injured list.

Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said July 31 that Criswell (shoulder) has resumed a throwing progression, MLB.com reports.

Hollander didn't go into many specifics regarding where Criswell stood in his throwing progression beyond noting that he was about a week behind fellow reliever Matt Brash (lat), who had yet to resume throwing off a mound as of the July 31 update. With that in mind, Criswell looks like he's still limited to playing catch for the time being, so his return from the injured list wouldn't appear to be imminent. Criswell went on the shelf June 9 after being diagnosed with a right shoulder strain.

Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said July 31 that Crawford is expected to be "a couple weeks down" after requiring an injection to relieve inflammation in his left wrist, MLB.com reports.

Crawford was expected to rest for 3-to-5 days following the injection, so he may have already started up the process of ramping back up. The veteran infielder is eligible to return from the injured list Sunday, but he looks like he'll need more time to complete a full range of baseball activities before the Mariners bring him back from the shelf. Brendan Donovan returned from the IL on Tuesday and has settled in as the Mariners' primary third baseman, so Crawford could be headed for a utility role once he's activated.

Donovan is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.

The Mariners will keep the left-handed-hitting Donovan on the bench Sunday and go with Weston Wilson at third base while southpaw Ian Seymour draws the start for the Rays. Since returning from the injured list Tuesday, Donovan has started in four of six contests while going 2-for-13 at the dish.

Lopez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.

Lopez had started in the Rangers' last five games, but the left-handed-hitting infielder will retreat to the bench Sunday while southpaw Cade Povich takes the hill for the Orioles. Justin Foscue will step in for Lopez at second base and will bat sixth.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.

After going 1-for-7 with a home run and two RBI while serving as the Rangers' designated hitter in the first two contests of the series, the left-handed-hitting Pederson will head to the bench Sunday while lefty Cade Povich toes the slab for the Orioles. Corey Seager will get a break from playing shortstop but will stay in the lineup at DH in place of Pederson.

Carter is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.

After starting in each of the last eight games, the left-handed-hitting Carter will retreat to the bench Sunday while southpaw Cade Povich toes the slab for the Orioles. Cam Cauley will replace Carter in center field and will bat ninth.

O'Neill will start at designated hitter and bat cleanup Sunday against the Rangers.

O'Neill will draw a third straight start after getting on base five times in the first two contests of the series. Since the All-Star break, O'Neill has posted a 1.026 OPS over 15 games, with his red-hot bat seemingly earning him more opportunities against right-handed pitching.

Taveras will start in right field and bat sixth in Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Trade-deadline pickup Christian Franklin made starts over Taveras in the outfield in the Orioles' first two games of the week, but Taveras has been included in the lineup over the former in each of the ensuing four contests. Taveras went just 2-for-10 with a double, a walk and a run scored in the previous three contests, so he probably still has some work to do before firmly solidifying himself as a part of the everyday lineup.