MLB Player News

Rafaela went 3-for-4 with a double, a solo home run and an additional run scored in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Nationals.

Rafaela gave the Red Sox some insurance with his 407-foot blast off Andrew Chafin in the ninth inning, his third hit of the game and 11th homer this season. It's the third multi-hit performance in four games for Rafaela -- he's gone 8-for-17 (.471) with two homers and six extra-base hits in that span. Overall, the 24-year-old outfielder is batting .264 with a .763 OPS, 50 runs scored, 38 RBI and 11 steals across 319 plate appearances this year.

Crochet (9-4) earned the win Sunday over the Nationals, allowing two runs on nine hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out seven.

Crochet has won back-to-back starts despite allowing seven runs on 17 hits over 11 innings in that span. Still, the left-hander sports a 2.39 ERA with a 1.09 WHIP and an MLB-leading 151 strikeouts through 19 starts (120.1 innings) this season. Crochet figures to make one more start before the All-Star break -- he's tentatively lined up to face the Rays at home next week.

Hicks earned the save, his first of the season, in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Nationals, allowing a run on a hit and a walk while striking out one in the ninth inning.

After Aroldis Chapman pitched the eighth inning, Hicks was called upon for the save in just his third appearance since joining Boston in the deal that sent Rafael Devers to San Francisco. The 28-year-old Hicks has been shaky in his brief tenure with his new team, allowing four runs (two earned) in 2.2 innings, though it appears that the Red Sox are committed to keeping him in a high-leverage role. Overall, Hicks sports a 6.49 ERA with a 1.58 WHIP and 45:22 K:BB across 51.1 innings this season.

The Royals placed Lynch on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to left elbow nerve irritation.

The injury may have played a part in Lynch's recent struggles; the lefty reliever has allowed four earned runs on 10 hits and four walks in 7.2 innings over his last seven appearances. Kansas City recalled right-hander Jonathan Bowlan from Triple-A Omaha to replace Lynch in the bullpen.

The Royals recalled Bowlan from Triple-A Omaha prior to Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

He'll join the bullpen as a replacement for southpaw Daniel Lynch (elbow), who was placed on the 15-day injured list. Over 12 appearances with the big club this season, Bowlan owns a 3.00 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 12:7 K:BB in 15 innings.

Fermin will start at catcher and bat fifth in Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Fermin's playing time is back on the rise again, as he'll be getting his fifth consecutive start Sunday. Four of those starts have come behind the dish, as the Royals have been using top backstop Salvador Perez at designated hitter and first base more frequently in an effort to keep him fresh. Fermin is batting .275 over 167 plate appearances on the season but doesn't bring much power (two home runs) or speed (zero steals) to the table.

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

With Yainer Diaz starting behind the plate and Isaac Paredes serving as the designated hitter, the Astros won't have room in the lineup for Caratini in the series finale. Caratini had started in each of the previous three games, going 4-for-13 with a home run, two doubles, five RBI and an additional run.

Garcia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Garcia started the previous 30 games and will receive a day to reset while he's in the midst of a 4-for-24 slump. Nick Loftin will fill in at the hot corner and bat eighth versus Arizona righty Anthony DeSclafani.

Williamson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Miles Mastrobuoni will get the nod at third base while Williamson heads to the bench for the series finale. The rookie had started in each of the Mariners' previous five games, going 4-for-14 with three doubles, two walks, two runs and two RBI.

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

The rookie infielder will exit the lineup for the first time since June 22, ending a stretch of 14 consecutive starts. Jorge Polanco will step in at second base in place of Young, who could benefit from the day off after going 0-for-12 with five strikeouts over the past four contests.