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Joey Loperfido LF | HOU
Blue Jays' Joey Loperfido: Back in action Wednesday
Loperfido (hip) is starting in center field and batting eighth Wednesday against the Rangers.
The 25-year-old suffered an adductor injury during Saturday's matchup with the Cardinals and is rejoining the lineup Wednesday after a couple days off. Loperfido should continue seeing regular action in Toronto's outfield down the stretch, and he'll likely see more starts in center field since Daulton Varsho (shoulder) will miss the rest of the season.
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Jacob Latz RP | TEX
Rangers' Jacob Latz: Activated, optioned to Triple-A
The Rangers reinstated Latz (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday and optioned him to Triple-A Round Rock.
Forearm tightness has kept Latz on the shelf since early August. He gave up five earned runs over one-third of an inning during his first rehab outing Aug. 18, but he's since allowed just two runs across 7.2 frames in the minors. The Rangers will keep him at Triple-A for now, though there's still a chance he rejoins the big squad to help out Texas' bullpen over the final few weeks of the season.
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Mauricio Dubon LF | ATL
Astros' Mauricio Dubon: Getting eighth straight start
Dubon will start at second base and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Padres.
Dubon doesn't have a clear path to a spot at any one position, but his versatility and hot bat will allow him to stick in the lineup for an eighth consecutive game. He's produced an impressive .382/.400/.412 battling line over 14 games so far in September, though Dubon hasn't supplemented it with many counting stats (zero home runs, zero steals, five RBI and four runs).
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Jason Heyward LF | SD
Astros' Jason Heyward: Picks up fourth consecutive start
Heyward will start in right field and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Padres.
Heyward has picked up starts in five consecutive matchups with right-handers and should have a relatively clear path to a strong-side platoon role in left field with Ben Gamel (fibula) recently joining Chas McCormick (hand) on the injured list. Since signing with Houston on Aug. 29, Heyward has slashed .235/.278/.441 with two home runs, six RBI, six runs and one stolen base in 16 games.
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Luis Frias RP | CLE
Blue Jays' Luis Frias: Sent back to minors
The Blue Jays optioned Frias to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.
Since coming up from Triple-A on Sept. 6, Frias has allowed eight earned runs on eight hits and three walks in only 3.1 innings. He'll head back to the minors in order to get back on track, and the Jays will bring up Dillon Tate to fill the open spot in their bullpen.
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Victor Caratini C | MIN
Astros' Victor Caratini: Sitting Wednesday
Caratini is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres.
Caratini is on the bench for the second day in a row after he had previously started four consecutive games. He should continue to see semi-regular playing time while the Astros have been rotating a number of players at first base, including Caratini and fellow catcher Yainer Diaz.
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Dillon Tate RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Dillon Tate: Recalled from Buffalo
The Blue Jays recalled Tate from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.
Tate posted a 4.59 ERA and 1.41 WHIP through 33.1 innings with the Orioles before being DFA'd by the club in August. However, he's given up just one run over five innings since joining the Jays organization Sept. 1, and he'll now return to the majors to give Toronto's bullpen a fresh arm. Luis Frias was optioned to Buffalo in a corresponding move.
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Kyle Tucker RF | LAD
Astros' Kyle Tucker: Taking seat Wednesday
Tucker is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres.
The Astros continue to manage Tucker's workload carefully coming off an extended absence due to a shin fracture. Since returning from the injured list Sept. 6, Tucker has bowed out of the lineup four times in 12 games. The reins on Tucker gradually appear to be loosening, however, as he started in right field each of the past three days after previously being limited to designated-hitter duties in four of his first five starts upon returning from the IL.
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Chayce McDermott RP | NYM
Orioles' Chayce McDermott: Returns from injury at Triple-A
Triple-A Norfolk reinstated McDermott (shoulder) from its 7-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday in the first game of a doubleheader with Nashville, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.
McDermott will be getting his first game action since he was shut down in late July with a right scapula stress reaction. The 26-year-old is unlikely to be a factor with the Orioles before the end of the season, but finishing the campaign healthy would give the right-hander and the team some peace of mind heading into the offseason.
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Jordan Westburg 2B | BAL
Orioles' Jordan Westburg: May begin rehab assignment Thursday
Westburg (hand) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.
Westburg has been on the shelf since Aug. 1 with a fractured right hand, but after taking batting practice Tuesday without issue, he appears to have cleared the final hurdle before being ready for game action. Given his long layoff, Westburg may require at least a couple of games in the minors to regain his timing at the plate, but he should make it back from the 10-day injured list before the Orioles' regular season comes to a close Sept. 29. Westburg and Ramon Urias (ankle) are seemingly tracking toward similar return timelines from the IL, and the Orioles could have regular roles available for both players in the infield once they're activated.