MLB Player News

Manager Matt Quatraro said that Witt is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres due to back tightness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old went 0-for-4 with a strikeout while playing through the injury Saturday, and the Royals will be cautious with their All-Star shortstop. Witt should be considered day-to-day heading into Monday's series opener against San Francisco.

Pena (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Pena was pulled from Saturday's contest due to right hamstring cramps and will miss at least one start due to the injury. The veteran shortstop is still participating in baseball activities, per Rome, which could indicate that Pena will quickly rejoin the starting nine. Nick Allen is starting in his place and batting ninth Sunday.

Walker (hip) is absent from Sunday's lineup against Baltimore, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

After being removed early from Saturday's game due to right hip tightness, Walker will sit out of Sunday's series finale against Baltimore. Manager Joe Espada said that the 35-year-old is doing baseball activities and feeling better, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. LaMonte Wade will play first base and bat cleanup for Houston on Sunday.

Rodon (elbow) received a second round of injections after throwing about 10 pitches off a mound Friday and could progress to a full bullpen session this week, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Friday's round of shots appears to have been a scheduled part of his rehab program as he continues to work his way back from left elbow inflammation, which sent him to the injured list in late June. The 33-year-old is without an official timeline for his return, but it seems as though he could be back during the first half of August if he continues to progress with no setbacks.

Rutschman is absent from Sunday's lineup against Houston, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com reports.

Rutschman, who went 0-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout in Saturday's game, will ride the pine for the series finale. Samuel Basallo will be behind the plate and bat fifth for Baltimore.

Lewis (hamstring) is starting at second base and batting cleanup Sunday against the Cubs.

Lewis was held out of Saturday's starting nine due to left hamstring soreness but will rejoin the lineup Sunday after missing just one game. Since returning to the Twins in early June after a brief stay at Triple-A St. Paul, the 27-year-old has a .258/.319/.484 slash line with eight doubles, seven homers, three steals, 16 RBI and 19 runs in 33 games.

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

The first baseman was reinstated from the injured list Friday after missing nearly a month due to a hamate fracture, but he finds himself back on the bench Sunday against San Diego righty German Marquez. There's been no word that Pasquantino aggravated the injury, so the Royals may simply be easing him back into the lineup. Kansas City is starting three catchers Sunday, with Luke Maile working behind the plate, Salvador Perez at first base and Carter Jensen at designated hitter.

Massey is out of the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Padres.

After going 4-for-8 with two RBI, two runs scored, one walk and one strikeout in the first two games of the series, Massey will receive a breather for Sunday's matchup. Nick Loftin will take over duties at second base and bat second for Kansas City.

DeGrom (glute) is scheduled to start Monday's game against the White Sox, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

The 38-year-old was scratched from his final outing before the All-Star break due to a mild left glute strain, but deGrom's been cleared to take the mound for Texas' fourth game of the second half. He's given up two runs or fewer in six of his past seven starts and has a 4-1 record with a 3.07 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 52:10 K:BB across 41 innings during that span.

Witt is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

Witt went 0-for-8 with a walk and three strikeouts in the first two games of the second half, and it's interesting he's already receiving a day off. The shortstop started Kansas City's first 76 games of the season and only hit the bench after sustaining a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee. There's been no indication that the 26-year-old suffered a setback or is dealing with a new injury, but his absence could extend into a series versus San Francisco that begins Monday.