MLB Player News
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Josh Jung 3B | TEX
Rangers' Josh Jung: Crosses .300 mark
Jung went 2-for-4 with a walk and a solo home in Saturday's 7-3 loss to Seattle.
Jung launched his second home run in three games, recording multiple hits and at least one RBI in all three contests. He spent the first nine games of the season hitting below .200, but his batting average now stands at .303. Since returning from an absence the Rangers attributed to him simply being banged up, Jung's bat has flourished to the tune of a .412/.487/.794 slash line with seven doubles, two home runs and six RBI over the last nine games.
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Jazz Chisholm Jr. 2B | NYY
Amed Rosario 3B | NYY
Yankees' Jazz Chisholm: On bench for series finale
Chisholm is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.
The Yankees will send the left-handed-hitting Chisholm to the bench for the second time in five games while the team is in the midst of a stretch that has been heavy on matchups with left-handed starting pitchers. Amed Rosario will step in at the keystone in place of Chisholm, who went hitless in each of his last three starts but drew a combined five walks and added a stolen base.
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Tyler Tolbert SS | KC
Royals' Tyler Tolbert: Sent to Triple-A
The Royals optioned Tolbert to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.
Tolbert made the Opening Day roster but totaled just five plate appearances in eight games during the first three-plus weeks of the season. If he rejoins Kansas City later this season, the 28-year-old isn't likely to serve as much more than a pinch runner and defensive replacement.
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Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Remains productive in loss
Duran started at second base and went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Mariners.
Duran notched a run-scoring double in the ninth inning, as the Rangers mounted a comeback that eventually lost steam. He might have made the start against Seattle's George Kirby because he has a better track record against the right-hander than the Rangers' primary second baseman, the lefty-hitting Josh Smith. The start may also be a sign that Smith's season-opening slump (.177 average, 20 games) has left his starting spot vulnerable. Duran, who has played multiple positions, is slashing .289/.347/.422 over 17 games played.
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Giancarlo Stanton DH | NYY
Ben Rice DH | NYY
Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton: Idle for series finale
Stanton is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.
Stanton will hit the bench for the second Sunday in a row, as the Yankees will give the veteran slugger some rest after he had started each of the last six days while going 3-for-25 (.120 average) with one home run, two RBI and an additional run over that stretch. Ben Rice will replace Stanton in the lineup as the Yankees' designated hitter.
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Royals' Kyle Isbel: Idle Sunday
Isbel is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.
The Royals will stock up some extra right-handed bats to counter Yankees southpaw Ryan Weathers, so Isbel will hit the bench along with fellow left-handed hitters Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone. Isbel had started each of the last four games but went 1-for-10 at the dish, bringing his season average down to .265.
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Jac Caglianone RF | KC
Royals' Jac Caglianone: Taking seat versus lefty
Caglianone is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.
After a stretch of four consecutive starts, the left-handed hitter will exit the lineup Sunday while the Yankees send southpaw Ryan Weathers to the bump. Starling Marte will take Caglianone's spot in right field and bat sixth.
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Starling Marte RF | KC
Royals' Starling Marte: Handling limited platoon role
Marte will start in right field and bat sixth in Sunday's game against the Yankees.
Marte will crack the Royals' starting nine for just the sixth time in the team's first 22 games, with the 37-year-old seeing the majority of his at-bats against left-handed pitching. He's batting .200 (4-for-20) with a 0:7 BB:K.
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Royals' Jonathan India: Left out of lineup vs. lefty
India is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.
On the bench for three of the Royals' previous four matchups with right-handed starting pitchers, India's playing time had already been tailing off, but the veteran infielder will now remain out Sunday despite a southpaw (Ryan Weathers) taking the hill for the Yankees. The Royals will go with the left-handed-hitting Michael Massey at second base instead of India, who has mustered a lowly .167/.310/.313 slash line across 58 plate appearances thus far during his second season with Kansas City.
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Mitch Spence RP | KC
Mason Black RP | KC
Royals' Mitch Spence: Heading back to Triple-A
The Royals optioned Spence to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.
Spence wasn't going to be available for at least a few days after he yielded six earned runs on four hits and five walks while covering four innings and tossing 84 pitches in long relief during Saturday's 13-4 loss to the Yankees, so Kansas City will send him to the minors in exchange for a fresh arm. Mason Black was recalled from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move and will give the Royals another right-handed arm capable of covering multiple innings out of the bullpen.