MLB Player News

The Red Sox optioned Campbell to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Campbell made five appearances after being recalled earlier this month, yielding four runs with a 3:1 K:BB over 5.2 innings of work. The Red Sox are expected to call up right-hander Richard Fitts in a corresponding move prior to Thursday's game against the Yankees.

Alexander will start Thursday's game against the Orioles at Camden Yards, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Though Houston will get Lance McCullers (finger) back from the injured list to start Friday, Alexander will at least temporarily stick around in a starting role while the Astros run out a six-man rotation this week. Houston could keep the six-man setup in place when the team begins a stretch of 13 games in 13 days Tuesday, but Alexander may need to perform well in his start in Baltimore to ensure he remains in the rotation over Luis Garcia (elbow), who could be ready to return from the 60-day IL next week. Alexander has fared well over his last four starts, logging a 1.59 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 21:6 K:BB in 22.2 innings.

Melton is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Before sitting against ace left-hander Tarik Skubal in the Astros' 1-0 loss Tuesday, the left-handed-hitting Melton had been included in the lineup in each of the Tigers' previous three matchups with righties. However, he went just 1-for-10 with a 0:7 BB:K in those contests, and he'll remain on the bench Wednesday as Detroit sends a righty (Charlie Morton) to the bump for the series finale. Taylor Trammell will get the starting nod in center field at Melton's expense.

Wilson (forearm) went 1-for-3 with a solo home run with Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Wilson logged seven innings Tuesday and launched a solo shot in his second plate appearance in the third inning. The shortstop has gone 3-for-11 with a double and a homer since starting his rehab assignment Saturday at Triple-A Las Vegas for a fractured left forearm. While there's still no official return date, the standout rookie isn't expected to need much more time on the farm before rejoining the Athletics.

Sweeney is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Since being called up from Triple-A Toledo on Aug. 10, Sweeney has been a fairly regular presence in the lineup, starting in eight of the previous 10 games while going 6-for-25 (.240 average) with one home run, six runs and four RBI. Sweeney could lose out on playing time once Parker Meadows' (quadriceps) return from the injured list likely pushes Javier Baez back to shortstop on a more frequent basis, but for now, the 25-year-old could continue to get steady playing time versus righties. The left-handed-hitting Sweeney will take a seat Wednesday against Astros southpaw Framber Valdez, however.

Keith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Detroit is stocking up on extra right-handed bats to counter Astros southpaw Framber Valdez, so Keith will hit the bench for the series finale along with fellow left-handed hitters Zach McKinstry, Trey Sweeney and Kerry Carpenter. Keith -- who had started in each of the last eight games -- is slashing just .143/.200/.167 over 45 plate appearances against lefties this season.

Carpenter is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Detroit is stocking up on extra right-handed bats to counter Astros southpaw Framber Valdez, so Carpenter will hit the bench for the series finale along with fellow left-handed hitters Zach McKinstry, Trey Sweeney and Colt Keith. Carpenter -- who had started in each of the last 10 games -- is slashing just .213/.224/.383 over 49 plate appearances against southpaws this season.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday that Lauer will be available out of the bullpen for this weekend's series in Miami, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Shane Bieber (elbow) is poised to make his Blue Jays debut Friday, which means Lauer will be booted out of the rotation, despite logging a 2.76 ERA and 87:25 K:BB over 88 innings covering 20 appearances (14 starts). Schneider added that it's "not a [permanent] move to the bullpen" for Lauer, so the left-hander could still make some starts for Toronto down the stretch.

Lopez (shoulder) will make his first rehab start Thursday for Triple-A St. Paul, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.

Lopez began throwing live batting practice last week and appears to have avoided any setbacks in his recovery from a Grade 2 teres major strain, so the Twins will clear the way for him to kick off a rehab assignment. Given that he's been on the shelf with the injury since June 5, he'll likely need an additional rehab start or two after Thursday's outing before being activated from the 60-day injured list.

Solano will start at first base and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

After serving as a fairly consistent presence in the lineup against left-handed pitching during the first half of the season, Solano will be included in the starting nine for the fifth time since the All-Star break. His downturn in playing time coincides with the trade-deadline acquisition of Josh Naylor, who bats from the left side of the plate but has produced well enough against southpaws this season (98 wRC+ in 158 plate appearances) to avoid being platooned. However, with the Mariners wrapping up their series in Philadelphia with a day game after a night game and with a southpaw (Jesus Luzardo) on the bump for the Phillies, Seattle manager Dan Wilson likely viewed it as an opportune time to give Naylor a break.