MLB Player News

Duran is absent from the lineup for Monday's game against the Diamondbacks.

The left-handed-hitting Duran will get a break versus southpaw Mitch Bratt after starting each of the previous 17 contests. Eli White will occupy left field for the Red Sox in the series opener.

The Royals reinstated Garcia (hand) from the 10-day injured list Monday. He'll start at third base and bat cleanup in the team's series opener versus the Athletics.

Kansas City will get two major lineup pieces back ahead of its four-game series versus the Athletics, as first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (wrist) was also activated from the IL. Garcia had been on the shelf since June 22 due to a muscle strain his left hand, with his return getting pushed back further after he experienced renewed discomfort following his first rehab game July 28. He then underwent a cortisone shot that appears to have yielded the desired effect, as Garcia resumed his rehab assignment at Double-A Northwest Arkansas last week and went 4-for-10 with a double, three walks and a stolen base over three games. Garcia is expected to step back in as the Royals' primary option at the hot corner, resulting in Nick Loftin shifting into more of a utility role.

The Royals reinstated Pasquantino (wrist) from the 10-day injured list Monday. He'll start at first base and bat fifth in the team's series opener versus the Athletics.

Kansas City will get two major lineup pieces back ahead of its four-game series with the Athletics, as third baseman Maikel Garcia (hand) was also activated from the IL. Pasquantino ended up spending just under three weeks on the shelf due to soreness in his right wrist, the same hand he previously required surgery for June 14 to address a broken hamate bone. Though Pasquantino should be available to play on a near-everyday basis as the regular season winds down, fantasy managers may want to temper expectations for his power production as he works to regain full strength in his wrist.

The Red Sox optioned Burgos to Triple-A Worcester on Monday.

Burgos helped save the bullpen with four innings of one-run ball in Sunday's loss to the Pirates, but he's being sent down a day later. The Red Sox called up Wyatt Olds from Triple-A to take Burgos' spot in the bullpen.

The Red Sox selected Olds's contract from Triple-A Worcester on Monday.

Olds will receive his first call-up to the big leagues after submitting a 5.33 ERA and 74:28 K:BB over 50.2 frames this season with Worcester. The right-hander -- who turned 27 earlier this month -- will likely provide Boston with some bullpen protection for a short period of time before returning to Worcester.

The Athletics announced Monday that Kuroda-Grauer (testicle) has resumed taking part in light, non-impact activities, Jason Burke of Roundtable.io reports.

Kuroda-Grauer will be eased back into baseball-related workouts after he required surgery July 21 to address a ruptured testicle, an injury he suffered a day earlier when he fouled a ball off of himself. The Athletics aren't putting a timeline on Kuroda-Grauer's return from the injured list, but since he hasn't yet begun a hitting, running or fielding progression, he doesn't appear on track to make it back from the shelf before the end of August.

The Athletics plan to reinstate Springs (hip) from the 15-day injured list and insert him into the rotation at some point during the upcoming week, Jason Burke of Roundtable.io reports.

Though the team hasn't confirmed when Springs will slot into the rotation, he'll most likely take the hill either Wednesday or Thursday in Kansas City. Springs landed on the IL on Aug. 4 due to right hip discomfort but was able to restart a throwing program a day later. He reported to Single-A Stockton and made his lone rehab start Friday, tossing 59 pitches (41 strikes) while recording four punchouts and allowing five hits and no walks over three innings. Springs may have a light cap on his pitch count in his return to the Athletics, though fantasy managers may want to avoid streaming him in any case after he submitted a 6.17 ERA and 1.48 WHIP over 108 innings in 22 starts prior to hitting the IL.

Walls is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Walls is in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak, but he'll put it on hold for a night as the Rays give him some rest. Jorge Mateo will step in at shortstop in place of Walls, who is still slashing just .240/.296/.360 since the All-Star break in spite of his recent hot stretch at the dish.

Mesa (hamstring) remains out of the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Mesa hasn't started a game since exiting Friday's series opener due to left hamstring tightness, though he appeared as a pinch hitter Saturday. The outfielder is considered day-to-day. Ryan Vilade will handle right field for the Rays on Monday.

Bednar (6-3) blew a save but earned the win over Toronto on Sunday, allowing an unearned run over 1.2 innings. He walked one, struck out one and did not yield any hits.

Bednar was brought in from the bullpen in the eighth inning with one out, a runner on first and the Yankees up 2-1. The veteran closer retired both batters he faced in that frame to maintain the lead, then returned to try to close things out in the ninth. The Blue Jays managed to tie the game on Bednar's watch, but that was largely due to an inning-opening error by first baseman Ben Rice, who later redeemed himself with a two-run blast in the 10th that gave New York -- and Bednar -- the victory. The blown save (as undeserved as it was) was just the third of the campaign through 30 attempts for Bednar, who is tied for sixth in the majors with 27 saves overall. He struggled a bit early in the season, but Bednar has been lights-out since May 22, posting a 0.81 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 36:9 K:BB over 33.1 innings spanning 29 appearances.