MLB Player News

Tolbert will start at shortstop and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Rockies.

Tolbert appears to have emerged as the preferred option at shortstop in the absence of Bobby Witt (back). He'll cover the position for the fourth time in five games, but Tolbert could soon shift back into a utility role. Per Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star, the Royals are anticipating Witt coming off the injured list ahead of Tuesday's series opener versus the Twins.

Manager Mark Kotsay said that Wilson, who is out of the lineup Sunday against the Tigers, is dealing with patellar tendinitis in his knee, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Kotsay added that the injury is manageable, and he expects Wilson to be back at shortstop Tuesday in Cincinnati after Monday's team off day. It's unclear when the 24-year-old sustained the injury, but he's been struggling at the plate over the past nine games, batting just .162 (6-for-37) with two doubles, on steal, two RBI and three runs. Alika Williams will fill in at shortstop Sunday for the Athletics.

Massey is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.

The left-handed hitter had started the last five games but will get a breather while southpaw Kyle Freeland toes the rubber for Colorado. Nick Loftin will check in for Massey at second base and bat second.

The Royals reinstated Isbel (foot) from the 10-day injured list Sunday.

Isbel has completed his recovery from a Grade 3 tear of his left plantar fascia, an injury that had kept him on the shelf since June 10. However, with southpaw Kyle Freeland on the hill for the Rockies, the left-handed hitter will stay on the bench for now. Isbel was productive during his nine-game rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha with an .878 OPS, but he slashed just .244/.298/.354 with three home runs and five stolen bases in 56 games with Kansas City before suffering the foot injury.

Kurtz, who is out of the lineup Sunday against the Tigers, is scheduled to visit a hand specialist Monday in Los Angeles, after which the Athletics are expected to decide whether he'll need to go on the injured list, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

After being hit by a pitch Wednesday, the 23-year-old was back in the lineup for the next two games but now finds himself on the bench Sunday for a second straight contest. Kurtz underwent an MRI and X-rays before initially rejoining the starting nine Thursday, with manager Mark Kotsay saying that the X-ray results were "kind of unclear." The fact Kurtz was cleared to play indicated it was a minor injury, but he apparently has some lingering issues that warrant further evaluation.

Volpe is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Volpe started at shortstop the previous three contests, but he went hitless to bring his slash line down to .240/.325/.322 over 194 plate appearances on the season. While the Yankees should be able to clear a regular spot in the lineup for Volpe against left-handed pitching, his playing time versus righties will likely remain sporadic until he earns more opportunities.

Goldschmidt is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

The Yankees will give the 38-year-old a breather for the matinee contest after he started 10 straight games while going 7-for-40 (.175) with one home run, two RBI and three runs. Ben Rice will draw the start at first base Sunday, while Amed Rosario slots into the designated hitter spot.

Wade is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Wade started in left field for the first two games of the series, going 2-for-5 with a double, a walk, two RBI and a run scored. He'll exit the lineup Sunday while Yordan Alvarez receives a turn in left field. Wade looks to have a hold on at least a semi-regular spot in the lineup versus right-handed pitching.

Trammell will start in center field and bat fifth in Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Trammell will stick in the lineup for a seventh straight game after getting on base at a .423 clip over the prior six contests while adding two home runs, five runs and four RBI. He appears to have usurped Lucas Spence as the Astros' preferred option in center field for the time being.

Spence is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

On the bench for the fourth time in the past five games, Spence appears to have faded into a reserve role while Taylor Trammell has re-emerged as the preferred option in center field. Since receiving his first big-league call-up July 17, Spence has hit just .162 while striking out at a 36.6 percent clip. He could be headed back to Triple-A Sugar Land in the near future.