MLB Player News

Refsnyder is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Refsnyder went 2-for-12 with a solo home run and an additional run while starting each of the Red Sox's last three games -- all against right-handed pitchers -- but he'll head back to the bench Sunday while righty Merrill Kelly takes the hill for Arizona. Tyler O'Neill (finger) is returning from a two-game absence and will take back his usual spot in left field, so Refsnyder's opportunities to play against right-handed pitching could be more limited moving forward while O'Neill, Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu form Boston's preferred outfield arrangement. Refsnyder should still be a regular part of the lineup versus left-handed pitching.

O'Neill (finger) will start in left field and bat fifth in Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

He had missed the first two games of the series versus the Diamondbacks due to left fourth finger inflammation, but O'Neill has shown enough improvement to take back a spot in the outfield in the finale. Rob Refsnyder will head back to the bench to reopen a spot in the lineup for O'Neill, who had gone hitless with seven strikeouts in 11 at-bats over his last three starts before missing time with the finger injury.

Rogers went 3-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored and three RBI in Saturday's 13-4 win over the White Sox.

After getting Friday off, Rogers returned with a bang Saturday to help power the offense. The 29-year-old is splitting time behind the plate with rookie Dillon Dingler, who will likely get Sunday's matinee contest. Rogers has taken a step back from 2023, when he blasted 21 home runs and posted a .730 OPS. This season, Rogers has nine long balls and a .603 OPS through 78 games, and Dingler may see his role grow down the stretch if the Tigers fall out of contention and want to take a look at younger players.

Semien went 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 13-5 loss to the Guardians.

Semien led off the game with a single and scored to give Texas a brief lead early. He later drove in a run in the seventh and ninth innings. Semien is up to 63 RBI over 128 games and would need a very productive final month to match the 100 RBI he had in 2023.

Boston manager Alex Cora was non-committal Saturday when asked if one rehab outing would be enough for Slaten (elbow) before returning from the 15-day injured list, MLB.com reports.

Slaten threw 17 pitches (eight strikes) for Double-A Portland on Friday, giving up a run on one hit and one walk while striking out one over one-third of an inning. Cora said Slaten was fine in terms of health but noted that the right-hander was out of rhythm. The Red Sox will evaluate him this weekend and decide if Slaten needs another rehab outing prior to being activated.

Hendriks (elbow) will make a third rehab appearance Sunday at Double-A Portland, MLB.com reports.

Hendriks opened his rehab assignment a week ago at Triple-A Worcester with an impressive 1-2-3 outing on 12 pitches (10 strikes) , then had less successful results four days later at Portland (one-third of an inning, one walk, one hit). The report estimates Hendriks could make between six to eight relief appearances while on assignment before being activated.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Saturday that O'Neill (finger) could return to action Sunday against the Diamondbacks, MLB.com reports.

O'Neill, who was scratched ahead of Friday's 12-2 loss, went unused during Saturday's 4-1 loss. Cora said the power-hitting outfielder is feeling better and was able to do some hitting Saturday, leaving the Red Sox optimistic that the 29-year-old will return to action for the series finale.

Akin (3-0) allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the win Saturday over the Astros.

This was Akin's first game back from the paternity list, and he was able to capture the win after Jackson Holliday put the Orioles ahead with a three-run double in the sixth inning. Akin had been a little shaky recently, allowing five runs over 9.1 innings across his previous six appearances before welcoming his child into the world. Overall, the southpaw has a 3.46 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 79:16 K:BB while adding four holds over 65 innings this year, excelling as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen for Baltimore.

X-rays on Jeffers' injured right hand were negative, MLB.com reports. He did not play in Saturday's game after being removed late in Friday's game due to the injury. "He was having a little trouble gripping the bat downstairs, so we got him out of the game," manager Rocco Baldelli said. "That was why he came out. But he should be OK going forward."

Jeffers was lifted for a pinch hitter in the ninth inning of Friday's loss to St. Louis due to a sore hand. He took balls off his hand twice while behind the plate but was able to continue playing defense. It sounds like he could return to the lineup Sunday, but he may need another day or two off.

Correa (heel) will not return from the 10-day injured list before the end of August, as he has not been able to run with cleats on or at full speed, Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports

On a positive note, Correa was able to run at about 80 percent intensity for 30 yards while wearing tennis shoes, so he at least looks to be taking a step in the right direction in his recovery from plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Correa was initially placed on the injured list over the All-Star break and was expected to be in line for an abbreviated absence, but he's now missed more than two months due to a lack of progress.