MLB Player News

Narvaez (knee) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres, but Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed that the catcher will return to the starting nine for Monday's series opener in Houston, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Narvaez hasn't played since Tuesday while he's managed a sore left knee, but Cora noted that the backstop will be available off the bench Sunday. Connor Wong had filled in for Narvaez in each of the Red Sox's previous three games, and Cora said that he elected to stick with Wong behind the dish Sunday because he typically serves as starter Brayan Bello's personal catcher. Once he returns to the lineup Monday, Narvaez should resume handling his usual duties as Boston's No. 1 backstop.

Wong will start at catcher and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Padres.

Wong will draw his fourth straight start behind the plate while top backstop Carlos Narvaez (knee) remains day-to-day. Per Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald, manager Alex Cora said that Narvaez is available for Sunday's series finale, but the Red Sox are electing to stick with Wong since he serves as starting pitcher Brayan Bello's personal catcher. Cora added that Narvaez will return to the lineup Monday in Houston, and Wong is likely to see his playing time tail off as a result.

Toro is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

Toro started at first base in the first two games of the series and went 1-for-8 with a walk and a run scored between those contests, but he'll give way to Romy Gonzalez in the finale. The two should continue to share the first-base position moving forward, with Toro likely getting the bulk of the starts against right-handed pitching.

Schneider is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

While the Blue Jays went up against left-handed starting pitchers in the previous three contests, Schneider led off in each of those games and went a collective 4-for-13 with two home runs, one double, one walk and four RBI. Schneider should remain a regular in the lineup against lefties, but he'll retreat to the bench Sunday while right-hander Tyler Glasnow toes the rubber for the Dodgers.

Straw is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

While the Blue Jays went up against left-handed starting pitchers in the previous three contests, Straw was included in the lineup for each of those games and went 2-for-10 with a walk and a run scored. Straw will return to his normal bench role for Sunday's finale while the Dodgers send right-hander Tyler Glasnow to the hill.

Kirk is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

Kirk will get some rest for the Sunday afternoon game after he started behind the dish in both of the previous two contests. Tyler Heineman will handle catching duties for Toronto in the series finale.

Loperfido (knee) will start in left field and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

Loperfido was limited to a bench role in each of the previous three contests while he managed a bruised right knee, but his ability to make pinch-hitting appearances Friday and Saturday suggested that he was never at any real risk of requiring a stint on the injured list. With the 26-year-old stepping back into the starting nine for the series finale in Los Angeles, Davis Schneider will retreat to the bench.

Young is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.

With Cal Raleigh getting a day off from catching but sticking in the lineup at designated hitter, Jorge Polanco will receive the start at second base while Young heads to the bench. The rookie still appears to be viewed as Seattle's top option at the keystone, but with a .253 batting average, three home runs, one steal, 21 runs and 16 RBI through his first 53 big-league games, Young's fantasy appeal will mostly be limited to AL-only leagues or deeper mixed leagues.

Walls (groin) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Walls will remain on the bench for the second game in a row while he continues to tend to a sore left groin. According to Bass, Walls said that he first tweaked his groin in the Rays' 7-3 win over the Angels on Tuesday, but at this point, the injury mainly limits him while running the bases rather than moving laterally in the field. With that in mind, Walls could be available off the bench Sunday as a late-inning defensive replacement.

Burger is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

After being reinstated from the injured list Friday, Burger started in the first two games of the series while the Phillies sent lefties to the bump. With Zack Wheeler on the mound Sunday, Burger will head to the bench, and he may have to settle for the short side of a platoon at either first base or designated hitter while the Texas lineup is at close to full strength.