MLB Player News

Naylor is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.

Naylor has a .626 OPS in 10 games since the All-Star break and will take a seat for Sunday's matchup with Baltimore. Austin Hedges will step behind the plate to catch for right-hander Gavin Williams.

DeJong went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 6-5 extra-innings loss to the Tigers.

DeJong has started three of the Royals' last four games at third base and looks to be the team's top option there. Maikel Garcia provides the Royals with infield flexibility, and DeJong's increased role has led to a drop in playing time for second baseman Michael Massey. DeJong has gone 10-for-26 during his active eight-game hitting streak that dates back to July 25 when he was with the White Sox. For the year, he's produced a .233/.279/.437 slash line, 19 homers, 45 RBI, 41 runs scored, two stolen bases and 14 doubles over 105 contests. For now, it looks like manager Matt Quatraro will ride the hot hand when filling out his lineup card for second base and third base.

Martinez is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.

Martinez will sit for Sunday's series finale after going 2-for-7 with a walk and a home run while starting in the first two contests against Baltimore. Tyler Freeman will start in center field and bat seventh in Martinez's stead.

Mountcastle is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians.

Mountcastle will get a breather for the series finale in Cleveland after he had started in each of the Orioles' last eight games while going 8-for-33 with three extra-base hits, nine RBI and four runs. He'll cede his spot in the lineup to trade-deadline pickup Eloy Jimenez, who serves as the Orioles' designated hitter while Ryan O'Hearn fills in for Mountcastle at first base.

Duran will start in center field and bat leadoff in Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Though he played all nine innings of Saturday's 7-4 loss while going 1-for-5 with three strikeouts, Duran was evaluated by the training staff during an at-bat earlier in the game, when he appeared to tweak his side on a swing. He apparently checked out fine upon reporting to the ballpark Sunday, but Duran was sporting a wrap around his torso, and manager Alex Cora said that the 28-year-old will get some treatment, according to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. Don't be surprised if Duran receives a day off sometime in the near future, given that he hasn't been rested since the All-Star break and doesn't look to be at full health.

Pepiot (knee) is scheduled to throw a three-inning simulated game as the next step in his recovery, MLB.com reports.

The Rays didn't give an exact date for when Pepiot will throw the sim game, though he's had two and three days of rest between his most recent bullpen sessions. After his next session, the club will decide whether Pepiot is ready to be activated or if he will require a rehab assignment.

The Tigers optioned Guenther to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday.

He'll cede his spot on the active roster to lefty Brant Hurter, who was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move and is expected to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Alex Faedo in Sunday's game against the Royals. Following his promotion from Toledo on Thursday, Guenther made one appearance out of the Detroit bullpen, giving up an earned run on one hit and two hit batsmen over 1.1 innings.

The Tigers selected Hurter's contract from Triple-A Toledo on Sunday.

Alex Faedo will draw the start for the Tigers in Sunday's series finale versus the Royals, but he's likely to work only an inning or two before giving way to Hurter, who is expected to operate as a bulk reliever. A 25-year-old lefty, Hurter will be making his MLB debut Sunday after logging a 5.80 ERA and 1.48 WHIP across 71.2 innings over 19 appearances (18 starts) for Toledo. With the Detroit rotation having been decimated by injuries in addition to Jack Flaherty being sent to the Dodgers at the trade deadline, Hurter should have the opportunity to make additional starts or bulk-relief appearances if he shows well in his debut Sunday.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Verdugo's absence from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays is a result of the outfielder being "a little beat up," Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Boone didn't go into any specifics regarding the nature of Verdugo's injury, merely noting that he expects the 28-year-old to be "all right" moving forward. Verdugo might just be tending to some general soreness while he's been used heavily of late, as he had started in each of the Yankees' last 34 games. With a day out of the lineup Sunday and a team off day Monday, Verdugo will most likely be ready to go for the start of the Yankees' three-games series with the Angels on Tuesday.

McClanahan (elbow) threw from a mound Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

This was the first time McClanahan threw from a mound since he underwent Tommy John surgery in August of 2023. He threw 10 fastballs and is expected to progress to full bullpen sessions next. McClanahan is still very likely to miss all of the 2024 season.