Perez was lifted from his start Wednesday against the Orioles in the top of the fourth inning due to left shoulder soreness. He was charged with three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two batters before exiting.

The White Sox were trailing 3-0 at the time of Perez's departure, so he'll be on the hook for the loss if Chicago isn't able to at least tie the game. The veteran southpaw appeared to suffer the injury on his 75th and final pitch of the afternoon and immediately motioned to the dugout to get checked on by a trainer. Perez had pitched well since returning Aug. 13 following an extended stay on the injured list due to a left flexor strain, turning in a 3.34 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 32.1 innings over six appearances (five starts) prior to Wednesday.

The Royals optioned Avila to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

He's being sent down in order to clear a spot on the active roster for the return of Cole Ragans (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list. Avila has allowed just one run with an 11:4 K:BB over 9.1 frames with the big club, but having minor-league options remaining worked against him.

The Royals activated Ragans (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

After being sidelined for more than three months with a left rotator cuff strain, Ragans will make his return to the Royals rotation Wednesday against the Mariners at Kauffman Stadium. Ragans made two rehab starts with Triple-A Omaha prior to being activated, allowing just one run with a 14:2 K:BB over 6.2 innings. The left-hander threw 56 pitches in his most recent rehab outing this past Friday, so his workload will be relatively limited versus the Mariners.

Baez (head) started at shortstop and went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Tuesday's 7-5 loss to the Guardians in 10 innings.

Baez rejoined the starting nine Tuesday for the first time since exiting last Friday's 8-2 loss to the Marlins after fouling a ball off his head. The 32-year-old passed all concussion testing following his departure and seemingly avoided any serious injury, as he was used off the bench a day later. Since making his third All-Star appearance in mid-July, Baez is slashing just .210/.219/.298 and appears to have settled back into a part-time role at both shortstop and in center field.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Early will start Sunday's series finale in Tampa against the Rays, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Early will unsurprisingly stick around in the rotation for a third turn after looking sharp through his first two outings in the majors, both of which came against the Athletics. Between the two starts, the 23-year-old rookie punched out 18 batters and allowed just one earned run on 10 hits and one walk across his first 10.1 big-league innings. The left-hander will have less time than usual to recover ahead of Sunday's start, however; he'll be taking the hill on four days' rest for the first time in the majors and for just the third time all season, including his stints with Triple-A Worcester and Double-A Portland. After Sunday's outing, Early will likely make one final start the following weekend in Detroit as the Red Sox look to lock down an AL wild-card spot.

Refsnyder will start in right field and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Athletics.

The right-handed-hitting Refsnyder traditionally sees his playing time versus lefties. However, injuries to Roman Anthony (oblique) and Wilyer Abreu (calf) have afforded Refsnyder some reps against right-handed pitching, as he'll be making his second straight start versus a righty and fourth consecutive start overall. The 34-year-old Refsnyder is slashing .303/.410/.576 in 11 contests since returning from the injured list Aug. 28.

Eaton is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics.

Eaton had started five of the last six tilts, but he'll begin Wednesday's festivities on the bench. Rob Refsnyder will handle right field and bat sixth for the Red Sox.

Sogard is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Athletics.

Sogard had started five of the last seven tilts, seeing action at both second base and right field. He'll take a seat Wednesday, as Romy Gonzalez will occupy the keystone and Rob Refsnyder will patrol right field.

Clemens is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

The Yankees are sending righty Luis Gil to the bump, marking the first time over the last six contests versus righties that Clemens has been out of the lineup. Edouard Julien will handle first base and bat eighth in the series finale.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Wednesday that he expects Vasil to remain in the bullpen next season, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Vasil was a starter throughout his time in the minors with the Mets before the White Sox plucked him in the Rule 5 Draft last offseason, so he'd be capable of getting stretched out. However, Getz and the White Sox like the versatility Vasil provides in the bullpen, with his ability to eat multiple innings and appear in high-leverage situations, depending on what is needed. Vasil has posted a 2.45 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 77:47 K:BB over 95.2 innings, picking up five wins, four saves and two holds along the way.