MLB Player News

Massey is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rays.

The Rays have a right-handed opener (Casey Legumina) followed by a left-handed bulk reliever (Ian Seymour) going in the series finale, so the left-handed-swinging Massey will take a seat. Josh Rojas is at second base and will bat fifth for the Royals.

Witt (knee) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Rays.

Witt will miss a sixth consecutive start as he deals with a Grade 1 MCL sprain of his right knee. He has been available off the bench the last couple days, so Witt does appear likely to avoid a trip to the injured list. His next opportunity to return to the Royals' lineup will come Friday in Chicago against the division-leading White Sox.

The Rays recalled Grove from Triple-A Durham on Thursday.

Grove finished his rehab from shoulder surgery and was optioned to Durham recently following the conclusion of his rehab assignment. Now, he's back in the big leagues as a replacement for the injured Steven Matz (ankle). Assuming Grove appears in a game, it will be his first at the big-league level since 2024.

The Rays placed Matz on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left ankle sprain.

It's unclear when or how Matz was injured, but it will cost him at least the next two weeks of action. Matz has been roughed up for 10 runs (nine earned) over seven innings in five appearances since being demoted to the Rays' bullpen.

Fedde didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Guardians, giving up two runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks over four innings of relief. He struck out two.

Working behind opener Chris Murphy, Fedde dealt with traffic on the basepaths in every frame he was on the mound for, but the veteran right-hander was able to keep Cleveland off the board until finally buckling in the sixth inning and getting lifted after 75 pitches (44 strikes). Fedde was on the hook for his seventh loss of 2026, but he escaped when the White Sox tied it up in the ninth off Guardians closer Cade Smith. Fedde has been stingy over five appearances (one start) in June, posting a 1.69 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 16:7 K:BB through 21.1 innings. His next turn through the rotation, either as a traditional starter or bulk reliever, is scheduled to come on the road early next week in Baltimore.

Smith gave up two runs on three hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning Wednesday to take his third blown save of the season in a 4-3 extra-inning win over the White Sox. He struck out one.

The normally reliable closer blew his first save since April 14, retiring the first two batters he faced in the ninth inning before serving up back-to-back solo shots to Braden Montgomery and Randal Grichuk to tie the game at 3-3 before he put two more batters aboard and got the hook. The Guardians were able to bail Smith out in the 10th, but the right-hander has now been tagged for four runs in his last two appearances, and he's issued at least one free pass in four straight. If his struggles continue, Erik Sabrowski, Hunter Gaddis and Shawn Armstrong -- who finished up Wednesday's contest -- could all find their way into the closing mix, but Smith's job security won't evaporate that quickly.

Bibee didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the White Sox, allowing three hits and a walk over six scoreless innings. He struck out three.

The right-hander overcame a 160-minute rain delay before the first pitch to put together one of his best outings of the season, but Bibee saw his third win slip away when Cade Smith suffered a rare blown save in the ninth inning. Bibee tossed 58 of 89 pitches for strikes as he produced his ninth quality start of the season, and over four trips to the mound in June he's delivered a 1.71 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB over 26.1 innings. Bibee will look to stay locked in for his next trip to the mound, which is set to come at home early next week against the Rangers.

Seigler started at second base and went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 8-6 loss to Colorado.

Seigler made a fifth consecutive start at second base since being called up before being moved mid-game to third base for an injured Caleb Durbin (finger). The Red Sox confirmed Durbin's injury is not a fracture, per Owen Perkins of MLB.com, and it will be a matter of how much pain he can tolerate. If Durbin misses time, Seigler could take over at the hot corner while Andruw Monasterio fills in at the keystone.

Monasterio started at shortstop and went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 8-6 loss to the Rockies.

Monasterio made a second consecutive start at shortstop with Marcelo Mayer (foot) opening the game on the bench. The homer was the third of the season for Monasterio, who entered Wednesday's contest batting just .087 (2-for-23) over his last 11 games. Mayer eventually entered the game for an injured Caleb Durbin (finger) and took over at shortstop while Monasterio covered second base.

Wong served as the designated hitter and went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 8-6 loss to Colorado.

Wong gave the Red Sox an early lead with a two-run home run in the second inning. It was his first of the season and first since September 2024. He was an unlikely DH -- Wednesday marked just the third time this season he filled the role -- but the Red Sox carry three catchers and had Mickey Gasper on the bench if needed. Wong is slashing .270/.356/.393 with the one home run, 12 RBI, two steals and 12 runs scored across 33 games.