MLB Player News

Andujar is starting at third base and batting fifth in Thursday's game versus the Rangers.

It's the first start at third base at the major-league level for Andujar since 2021 and the first start at the hot corner at any level since 2022. While it seems unlikely that the Athletics will use Andujar at third base regularly, it gives him a potential path to playing time following Tyler Soderstrom's move to left field.

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

Daniel Schneemann will get the nod in center field while Martinez takes a seat after starting in both of the past two contests. Since Lane Thomas (wrist) landed on the injured list April 22, Martinez has seen the bulk of the starts in center field. Martinez is batting .313 over his last 10 games, but he hasn't been a strong source of counting statistics while typically batting near the bottom of the lineup. He's recorded just three runs, two RBI and one stolen base over that 10-game stretch.

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

The Guardians typically hold the left-handed-hitting Jones out of the lineup against left-handed pitching, but he'll sit Thursday against right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson, which will allow Jhonkensy Noel to pick up a start in right field. Though Jones still looks to be the preferred option in the strong side of a platoon, he hasn't exactly mashed against right-handed pitching this season, slashing .194/.286/.323 (78 wRC+) in those matchups.

The Royals transferred McArthur (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Thursday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Taylor Clarke, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday. McArthur is recovering from surgery to address an olecranon fracture in his right elbow and has not yet started a throwing program.

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

The Guardians will give Santana a breather for the day game after he started in each of the last four contests while going 4-for-11 with two walks, a stolen base and a run scored. Kyle Manzardo will fill in for Santana at first base.

The Royals selected Clarke's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Clarke last pitched in the majors in 2023 with the Royals, posting a 5.95 ERA and 65:24 K:BB over 59 frames that season. The 31-year-old allowed nine runs (seven earned) with a 9:5 K:BB across 14.1 innings this season with Omaha.

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

Naylor started at catcher in each of the last five contests, so he'll be getting a needed rest Thursday as the Guardians wrap up their series against the Twins with a day game after a night game. Austin Hedges will fill in behind the plate, forming a battery with starting pitcher Ben Lively.

The Royals optioned Cameron to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Cameron took a no-hitter into the seventh inning in his major-league debut Wednesday against the Rays, ultimately tossing 6.1 scoreless frames on one hit and five walks with three strikeouts en route to picking up a win. With Cameron being sent back down to the minors, the Royals must feel good about Cole Ragans' (groin) ability to make his next start. Cameron has certainly earned the right to be first in line the next time the big club needs a starter.

Jansen is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Royals, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

For the first time this season, Ben Rortvedt will make more starts in a series than Jansen. It will be Rortvedt at catcher and batting ninth on Thursday as the Rays try to avoid the sweep.

Hoffman (3-0) struck out three over two perfect innings of relief Wednesday to pick up the win in an extra-inning victory over the Red Sox.

After shutting down Boston in the ninth inning, Hoffman stayed on the mound for the 10th and was rewarded when the Blue Jays walked it off in the bottom of the frame. The 32-year-old right-hander has been needed more than one inning in three of his last seven appearances, racking up three wins and three saves during that span with a 0.90 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and 16:1 K:BB over 10 innings. Hoffman hadn't worked since Sunday, so he was well rested, but after tossing 27 pitches Wednesday he likely won't be available should a save situation arise Thursday in the series finale against the Red Sox.