MLB Player News
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Michael Helman 2B | TEX
Rangers' Michael Helman: Playing time dwindling
Helman is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Houston.
Helman appears to be sliding back into a reserve role, as Wednesday marks the third time over the last four games that he's been absent from the lineup. The Rangers will use Wyatt Langford in center field and Alejandro Osuna in left field Wednesday.
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Bobby Seymour 1B | TB
Rays' Bob Seymour: Regaining strong-side platoon role
Seymour will start at first base and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Seymour appears to have re-emerged as the Rays' preferred option at first base, as he'll pick up his fourth start in Tampa Bay's last five matchups with right-handed pitchers. The rookie is still slashing a lowly .208/.236/.321 over 55 plate appearances in the majors this season and will be at risk of losing out on his strong-side platoon role if Jonathan Aranda (wrist) returns from the injured list next week.
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Jake Burger 3B | TEX
Rangers' Jake Burger: Taking seat Wednesday
Burger is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game in Houston.
Burger has swung a hot bat since coming off the injured list earlier this month, but he went 0-for-7 with five strikeouts in the first two games of the series and will now get a day off to regroup. Rowdy Tellez will play first base and bat cleanup as the Rangers try to avoid the sweep.
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Richard Palacios LF | TB
Rays' Richie Palacios: Losing hold of platoon role
Palacios is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Palacios seemed to have taken hold of a strong-side platoon role upon his return from the 60-day injured list Sept. 1, but he's now been out of the lineup for three straight matchups versus right-handed pitchers. The Rays will go with Bob Seymour at first base for the second day in a row.
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Hunter Feduccia C | TB
Rays' Hunter Feduccia: Sitting again Wednesday
Feduccia is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Feduccia is on the bench for the third time in four games and for the second time in three matchups versus a right-handed starting pitcher (Kevin Gausman). Nick Fortes appears to have at least moved into a timeshare with Feduccia, if he hasn't already overtaken him as the Rays' preferred option behind the plate.
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Christopher Morel DH | MIA
Rays' Christopher Morel: Cleared to start Wednesday
Morel (abdomen) will start in left field and bat cleanup Wednesday against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Morel is back in the starting nine for the first time since Sunday, when he exited the Rays' 4-3 loss to the Cubs early due to an abdominal contusion. He drew a walk in a pinch-hit appearance during Tuesday's 6-5 loss and will now check back into the lineup to make a rare start against a right-handed pitcher (Kevin Gausman).
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Kyle Finnegan RP | DET
Tigers' Kyle Finnegan: Cleared for rehab appearance
Finnegan (groin) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Thursday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Finnegan has missed most of September with a right adductor strain but has been cleared to test things out in a game setting. Given his brief absence, it could be the only rehab appearance Finnegan needs before returning to the Tigers' active roster. He's made 12 scoreless appearances and recorded four saves since being acquired by Detroit at the trade deadline.
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Nathan Lukes RF | TOR
Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes: Exiting starting nine
Lukes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.
With southpaw Ian Seymour toeing the rubber, the left-handed-hitting Lukes will hit the bench after he started in right field in both of the first two contests of the series. Addison Barger will shift from third base to cover right field in Lukes' stead Wednesday.
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Daulton Varsho LF | TOR
Blue Jays' Daulton Varsho: Sitting against southpaw
Varsho is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.
With lefty Ian Seymour on the hill for Tampa Bay, Varsho will be joined on the bench by fellow left-handed batters Nathan Lukes, Joey Loperfido and Andres Gimenez as the Blue Jays stack the lineup with right-handed bats. Myles Straw will spell Varsho in center field.
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Andres Gimenez 2B | TOR
Blue Jays' Andres Gimenez: Resting against southpaw
Gimenez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.
After making starts out of the middle infield in each of the Blue Jays' last eight games, the left-handed-hitting Gimenez will retreat to the bench while the Rays send southpaw Ian Seymour to the bump. Toronto will go with Davis Schneider at second base and Ernie Clement at shortstop Wednesday.