MLB Player News

Soderstrom (groin) will start in left field and bat cleanup in Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.

Soderstrom was out of the lineup for the previous five games with groin tightness, but he picked up two hits off the bench in Tuesday's win over the Red Sox and is back in the lineup Wednesday. The 23-year-old is slashing .349/.408/.566 since the beginning of August.

Gelof is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.

The right-handed-hitting Gelof finds himself on the bench for the third game in a row, this time sitting against a right-hander (Lucas Giolito) after his prior two absences from the lineup came versus lefty starters. The Athletics had been deploying Gelof as their everyday second baseman following his call-up from Triple-A Las Vegas on Aug. 25, but he's slashed a disappointing .230/.277/.377 with a 43.9 percent strikeout rate since that time. He appears to have moved into a reserve role while the Athletics have turned to Darell Hernaiz at second base and Brett Harris at third.

India is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Mariners.

India has now started six of eight games since returning from the injured list, going 6-for-21 with two doubles over that time. The Royals will go with Adam Frazier at second base Wednesday in place of India.

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.