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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B | TOR
Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero: Ends power drought in rout
Guerrero went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 10-0 win over the Giants.
The first baseman snapped a 17-game homer drought, launching just his fifth long ball of the season in the ninth inning off Ryan Walker. Guerrero's had a rough first half -- during that 17-game drought, he managed a weak .194/.250/.226 slash line with only two doubles and five RBI -- but Wednesday's blast could help take some of the pressure off just ahead of the All-Star break.
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Dylan Cease SP | TOR
Blue Jays' Dylan Cease: Nearly dials up no-no
Cease (6-4) picked up the win Wednesday in a 10-0 rout of the Giants, scattering one hit and three walks over eight scoreless innings. He struck out 11.
The right-hander took a no-hitter into the ninth inning, but Heliot Ramos broke it up with a leadoff single, ending Cease's afternoon at 118 pitches (81 strikes). It was his sixth start of the season with double-digit strikeouts, and Cease heads into the All-Star break with a 2.56 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and an American League-leading 148 strikeouts in just 98.1 innings. He's on the short list to get the start for the AL in the All-Star Game.
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Steven Kwan LF | CLE
Guardians' Steven Kwan: Out of Wednesday's lineup
Kwan is not in the Guardians' starting lineup against the Twins on Wednesday.
The Twins are sending southpaw Connor Prielipp to the mound, and Kwan has struggled against left-handers this season, slashing .165/.287/.200 with five RBI across 102 plate appearances. With Kwan on the bench, the Guardians will start David Fry, Kahlil Watson and Chase DeLauter in the outfield from left to right.
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Patrick Bailey C | CLE
Guardians' Patrick Bailey: Resting Wednesday
Bailey is not in Cleveland's starting lineup against Minnesota on Wednesday.
Bailey will get a breather while Austin Hedges starts behind home plate to do the catching for right-hander Slade Cecconi. Bailey is slashing .179/.232/.250 with two home runs and 12 RBI across 182 plate appearances this season.
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Danny Jansen C | TEX
Rangers' Danny Jansen: Resumes throwing
Jansen (forearm) played catch Wednesday for the first time in two weeks, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
Jansen noted that the plan for him moving forward is to throw every other day and see how his right forearm responds. He has been on the 10-day injured list since June 6 due to a right forearm strain, which has allowed Elias Diaz to surpass Kyle Higashioka as the Rangers' primary catcher in Jansen's absence.
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Brayan Bello RP | BOS
Red Sox's Brayan Bello: Could pitch Saturday for Boston
Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said Wednesday that Bello could be called up from Triple-A Worcester and to pitch Saturday against the Yankees if Ranger Suarez (adductor) is unable to start, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports.
Suarez was pulled early in his most recent start Sunday against the Angels due to adductor tightness. The Red Sox are hopeful that the left-hander can avoid a stint on the injured list and make a start during the upcoming weekend, but Boston may have to turn to Bello to fill in either as a conventional starter or in a bulk-relief role if Suarez is unable to pitch. Since being optioned to Worcester on June 5, Bello has submitted a 4.34 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 22:4 K:BB across 18.2 frames over four starts.
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Jorge Soler DH | LAA
Angels' Jorge Soler: Not in Wednesday's lineup
Soler is not in the Angels' starting lineup against the Rangers on Wednesday.
Soler will get a breather Wednesday while Mike Trout (hamstring) serves as the designated hitter in his return from the 10-day injured list. Soler is slashing .216/.301/.396 with 11 home runs and 39 RBI over 292 plate appearances this season.
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Nolan Schanuel 1B | LAA
Angels' Nolan Schanuel: Sitting against southpaw
Schanuel is absent from Wednesday's lineup against Texas.
Schanuel has been in the lineup against southpaws this season, though he's slashing .197/.280/.303 with two home runs and 10 RBI across 75 plate appearances against left-handed pitching. He'll be on the bench for the beginning of Wednesday's contest while Vaughn Grissom starts at first base and bats third against Rangers southpaw Mackenzie Gore.
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Wade Meckler LF | LAA
Angels' Wade Meckler: Sitting vs. left-hander
Meckler is not in the Angels' starting lineup against the Rangers on Wednesday.
The Rangers are sending southpaw Mackenzie Gore to the mound, so the lefty-hitting Meckler will take a seat while Josh Lowe, Jose Siri and Jo Adell start in the outfield from left to right. With Mike Trout (hamstring) back from the 10-day injured list, it's possible that either or both of Meckler and Lowe lose out on playing time against right-handed pitching. Meckler is slashing .284/.357/.394 with two steals, two home runs and 16 RBI over 129 plate appearances this season.
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Chadwick Tromp C | LAD
Orioles' Chadwick Tromp: Clears waivers, accepts assignment
Tromp cleared outright waivers Wednesday and accepted an assignment to Triple-A Norfolk, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Baltimore removed Tromp from its 40-man roster last Friday after Adley Rutschman was reinstated from the 7-day injured list in a corresponding move. Tromp will end up sticking around in Baltimore's organization and head to the Triple-A level, where he's slashed .182/.270/.341 with three home runs and 13 RBI in 100 plate appearances between Gwinnett and Norfolk this season.