MLB Player News

Hicks is not in the lineup against the Rangers on Thursday.

Hicks went 2-for-8 with an RBI in the Rays' last series against the Mets that concluded Wednesday. The catcher is set to get some rest Thursday while Nick Fortes starts behind the plate and bats ninth.

Soriano didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Guardians, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out two.

Soriano did a decent job limiting the damage Thursday, though he'd ultimately come an out shy of qualifying for the win, as the Blue Jays turned to the bullpen with two outs in the fifth after Soriano threw 98 pitches. The results have been mixed lately for the right-hander, who's posted a 5.64 ERA across 22.1 innings in his last four starts. Overall, Soriano has gone 11-7 with a 3.52 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 151:70 K:BB through 28 starts (156 innings) between the Blue Jays and Angels this season. He's currently in line to face the A's in hitter-friendly Sacramento his next time out.

Varland earned the save in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Guardians, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

Varland managed to strand a pair of baserunners in the ninth to log his eighth consecutive save and 32nd of the season, which is tied for fourth most in the majors. Varland's ERA is down to a pristine 1.16 across 69.2 innings with a 0.99 WHIP and 86:19 K:BB.

Bibee (5-15) took the loss Thursday against the Blue Jays, allowing five runs on four hits and five walks over four innings. He struck out four.

Bibee held Toronto to one run over his first four innings, but he unraveled in the fifth, allowing four runs without recording an out. It's the first time in four outings that Bibee's failed to record a quality start -- he had held opponents to three earned runs or fewer in nine straight starts prior to Thursday. The right-hander's ERA now sits at 4.06 on the season with a 1.18 WHIP and 132:51 K:BB across 29 starts (166.1 innings). Bibee will look to bounce back his next time out, tentatively scheduled for next week on the road in Baltimore.

Allen will start the first game of Friday's doubleheader versus the Tigers, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

All four of Allen's appearances since he was recalled in mid-August have come out of the bullpen. However, he has made 20 starts between the majors and minors in 2026 and will be pitching on five days' rest, so he should be capable of providing decent length if he's pitching well.

Loftin isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins.

Loftin has recorded a base hit in eight of his last nine games, but the Royals will give him a breather during Thursday's series finale. Josh Rojas will step in to start at third base and bat seventh.

Holliday is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Red Sox.

The lefty-swinging Holliday has a .699 OPS against lefties and a .675 OPS versus righties in 2026, but this will be his second straight time sitting out when the opposition has sent a southpaw (in this case, Jake Bennett) to the bump. Blaze Alexander will play second base in Holliday's stead.

Basallo is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Red Sox.

The left-handed-hitting Basallo has just a .466 OPS versus lefty hurlers this season, so he'll exit the lineup as the Red Sox send southpaw Jake Bennett to the bump. Carlos Narvaez will do the catching for the Orioles in the series opener.

Rafaela (quad) isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Orioles, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Rafaela was pulled from Wednesday's game in the seventh inning due to quad tightness, and he'll need at least a day to recover before making his return to the starting nine. His absence will allow Eli White to start in center field and bat eighth Thursday.

Story isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Orioles, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Story will get a chance to catch his breath Thursday after going 7-for-16 with four RBI and a run scored while starting all four of Boston's games since his return from the IL on Sunday. Isiah Kiner-Falefa will fill in at shortstop and bat ninth.