MLB Player News

Isbel is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers.

The Rangers are sending southpaw Patrick Corbin to the bump, so the left-handed-hitting Isbel will begin the contest on the bench. Tyler Tolbert will patrol center field and bat ninth for the Royals.

Langeliers is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins.

Langeliers had started every game at either catcher or designated hitter since the All-Star break, so he'll get a well overdue day off as the Athletics close out their series in Minnesota. Willie MacIver will receive a turn behind the dish Thursday.

Stanton slugged a pinch-hit, two-run home run in the 10th inning of Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Rays.

Coming off the bench to face Tampa Bay closer Pete Fairbanks in a 3-3 tie, Stanton crushed a fastball to left field with an exit velocity of 108.1 mph. It was part of a barrage that has seen the Yankees become the first team since the 1999 Reds to homer 14 times in a two-game span, per Andy Nesbitt of SI.com. Stanton's more than done his part with three of those long balls, and through 14 games in August he's slashing a stunning .432/.523/1.027 with seven homers and 17 RBI.

Wells went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs in Wednesday's 6-4 extra-inning win over the Rays.

Wells took Drew Rasmussen deep in the fifth inning, then went back-to-back with Giancarlo Stanton in the 10th off Tampa Bay closer Pete Fairbanks. The backstop has been losing playing time lately to Ben Rice due to a slump that had seen him bat just .119 (7-for-59) since the All-Star break, but Wednesday's breakout -- Wells' first multi-hit performance since July 9 -- might be a sign he's ready to reclaim No. 1 duties behind the plate.

Grisham went 3-for-5 with two solo home runs in Wednesday's 6-4 extra-inning win over the Rays.

Long balls in the first and eighth innings contributed to another Yankees barrage, and per Andy Nesbitt of SI.com, they're the first team since the 1999 Reds to launch 14 homers over a two-game span. Grisham has already blown past his previous high for home runs in a season, slugging 23 in 109 contests. Through 17 games in August he's slashing .262/.368/.492 with five homers, eight RBI and 13 runs.

Simpson went 1-for-5 with two stolen bases Wednesday against the Yankees.

Simpson made his impact late in the game, reaching base on a leadoff single in the seventh inning before swiping both second and third base. He went 10 games without a stolen base from late July to early August, Simpson has three stolen bases on four attempts across his last eight games. He's also hit .375 with five runs and three RBI in those eight contests.

Williams recorded his 18th save of the season in Wednesday's 6-4 extra-inning win over the Rays, giving up an unearned run on two hits in the 10th inning. He struck out three.

David Bednar blew the save in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extras, and after the Yankees slugged two more homers in the top of the 10th to reclaim the lead, Williams found himself in another save situation. He allowed back-to-back hits to lead off the frame, bringing home the phantom runner and making things very dicey, but the Airbender proceeded to strike out the side and escape the jam. Bednar is still likely the top choice for closing duties, but Williams has gone five straight appearances without giving up an earned run while delivering an 11:1 K:BB over 4.1 innings, and he could be working his way back into the mix.

Seymour went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBI on Wednesday against the Yankees.

Seymour has started four of five games since having his contract selected by the Rays, only sitting against a left-handed pitcher. He recorded his first big-league home run in the eighth inning off Luke Weaver on Wednesday and later chipped in an RBI single. Seymour has gone only 3-for-16 with eight strikeouts to this point.

Fairbanks (4-4) allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits while striking out one across one inning to take the loss Wednesday against the Yankees.

Fairbanks entered the game in the 10th inning with the score knotted at 3-3. He allowed homers to the first two batters he faced, the first pair he's surrendered in his last six appearances. While his strikeouts remain down, Fairbanks has still been very effective this season by maintaining a 2.85 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across 47.1 frames.

Bednar (4-5) picked up the win after blowing the save in Wednesday's 6-4 extra-inning victory over the Rays, coughing up two runs on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning. He struck out three.

Called upon to protect a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth, Bednar struck out the side, but not before serving up a two-run double to Hunter Feduccia. The right-hander then backed into the win when the Yankees slugged a couple more homers in the top of the 10th off Tampa Bay closer Pete Fairbanks. The stumble ended a seven-appearance scoreless streak for Bednar, but the blown save was his third since he was dealt to New York at the trade deadline, against three successful conversions. Devin Williams secured the save in the 10th inning, and the Yankees' closer role still appears unsettled with September rapidly approaching.