MLB Player News

Fortes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Fortes will get a break from playing on the synthetic turf in Toronto after going 1-for-4 while catching nine of 10 innings in Tuesday's 7-6 win. Hunter Feduccia will replace Fortes behind the dish in the series finale.

Simpson (leg) will start in left field and bat leadoff Wednesday against the Blue Jays, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

The Rays held Simpson out for Tuesday's 7-6 win so that he could receive more time to recover from left leg cramps, which cropped up during Monday's series opener. The day off appears to have helped resolve the issue, as Simpson will step back into his usual spot in the outfield and batting order. Tampa Bay is hopeful that the missed start won't disrupt Simpson's rhythm at the plate; since the start of May, Simpson has hit .316 with three stolen bases, eight runs and six RBI in 10 games.

Smith is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners.

It's a rare day off for Smith, who had started the previous 12 contests. Zach Cole will patrol right field and bat eighth for the Astros in Smith's stead.

Valenzuela is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

Valenzuela will be getting a routine day off for the series finale after he had started in both of the Blue Jays' previous two contests. Tyler Heineman will handle catching duties for Toronto on Wednesday.

Eovaldi (side) played catch in the outfield Wednesday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Eovaldi had to be scratched from a scheduled start Monday against the Diamondbacks because of left side tightness. He's listed as day-to-day, and the fact that he's throwing again already suggests he has a chance to take his next turn through the rotation this weekend in Houston.

Crochet (shoulder) will throw a 20-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

After he had been limited to playing catch since landing on the injured list April 29 due to left shoulder inflammation, Crochet was able to do some throwing off a mound Tuesday. The lefty will now take part in a more formal bullpen session a day later, marking a major step forward in the recovery process. The Red Sox were initially hopeful that Crochet would be in line for a minimum-length stay on the shelf, but since he's now missed more than two weeks, he'll likely need to make a rehab start or pitch in a simulated game before he gets activated from the 15-day injured list.

Fried was removed from Wednesday's start in Baltimore after three innings due to left posterior elbow soreness, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Fried had his usual velocity in the outing but wasn't sharp, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk while needing 61 pitches to navigate through his three frames. He will be examined by team physician Dr. Chris Ahmad and undergo imaging Thursday in New York. That Fried's soreness is on the outside of the elbow suggests his injury is not to the UCL, but more will be known after Thursday's exam. If Fried has to go on the injured list -- which is a likely scenario -- the Yankees could need a spot starter to take one turn before Gerrit Cole (elbow) is ready to rejoin the rotation.

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

Rafaela appears to be receiving a routine breather after he had started in each of the team's last 11 games while going 12-for-43 (.279 average) with two home runs, two stolen bases, seven RBI and four runs over that stretch. Jarren Duran will slide over from left field to replace Rafaela in center.

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

Connor Wong will get the nod at catcher Wednesday while the Red Sox are seemingly taking a timeshare approach to the position. Narvaez hasn't started consecutive games since May 3 and 4 and has now been behind the plate for three of the Red Sox's last seven contests. Wong has picked up three starts at catcher during that stretch while Mickey Gasper has served as Boston's backstop for the other game.

Contreras (hand) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Wednesday's game against the Phillies, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Contreras will make his return to the lineup after a bruised right hand kept him on the bench for the first time since mid-April during Tuesday's 2-1 loss. The one day was apparently all Contreras needed for the soreness and swelling in his hand to subside, so he'll take back his normal spot in the field Wednesday while Mickey Gasper shifts to designated hitter after starting at first base Tuesday.