MLB Player News

The Athletics announced Monday that Kuroda-Grauer (testicle) has resumed taking part in light, non-impact activities, Jason Burke of Roundtable.io reports.

Kuroda-Grauer will be eased back into baseball-related workouts after he required surgery July 21 to address a ruptured testicle, an injury he suffered a day earlier when he fouled a ball off of himself. The Athletics aren't putting a timeline on Kuroda-Grauer's return from the injured list, but since he hasn't yet begun a hitting, running or fielding progression, he doesn't appear on track to make it back from the shelf before the end of August.

The Athletics plan to reinstate Springs (hip) from the 15-day injured list and insert him into the rotation at some point during the upcoming week, Jason Burke of Roundtable.io reports.

Though the team hasn't confirmed when Springs will slot into the rotation, he'll most likely take the hill either Wednesday or Thursday in Kansas City. Springs landed on the IL on Aug. 4 due to right hip discomfort but was able to restart a throwing program a day later. He reported to Single-A Stockton and made his lone rehab start Friday, tossing 59 pitches (41 strikes) while recording four punchouts and allowing five hits and no walks over three innings. Springs may have a light cap on his pitch count in his return to the Athletics, though fantasy managers may want to avoid streaming him in any case after he submitted a 6.17 ERA and 1.48 WHIP over 108 innings in 22 starts prior to hitting the IL.

Walls is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Walls is in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak, but he'll put it on hold for a night as the Rays give him some rest. Jorge Mateo will step in at shortstop in place of Walls, who is still slashing just .240/.296/.360 since the All-Star break in spite of his recent hot stretch at the dish.

Mesa (hamstring) remains out of the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Mesa hasn't started a game since exiting Friday's series opener due to left hamstring tightness, though he appeared as a pinch hitter Saturday. The outfielder is considered day-to-day. Ryan Vilade will handle right field for the Rays on Monday.

Turner (knee) will start at shortstop and bat second in Monday's game versus the Marlins.

Turner did not play in Sunday's contest against the Twins after fouling a ball of his lower right leg Saturday. It will be only a one-game absence for the shortstop, as he's feeling well enough to give in a go Monday as the Phillies open up a homestand.

Bednar (6-3) blew a save but earned the win over Toronto on Sunday, allowing an unearned run over 1.2 innings. He walked one, struck out one and did not yield any hits.

Bednar was brought in from the bullpen in the eighth inning with one out, a runner on first and the Yankees up 2-1. The veteran closer retired both batters he faced in that frame to maintain the lead, then returned to try to close things out in the ninth. The Blue Jays managed to tie the game on Bednar's watch, but that was largely due to an inning-opening error by first baseman Ben Rice, who later redeemed himself with a two-run blast in the 10th that gave New York -- and Bednar -- the victory. The blown save (as undeserved as it was) was just the third of the campaign through 30 attempts for Bednar, who is tied for sixth in the majors with 27 saves overall. He struggled a bit early in the season, but Bednar has been lights-out since May 22, posting a 0.81 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 36:9 K:BB over 33.1 innings spanning 29 appearances.

The Pirates optioned Barco to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Barco's stay in Pittsburgh lasted just one day, with the southpaw being called upon out of the bullpen to piggyback starter Lake Bachar in Sunday's 8-3 win over the Red Sox. After Bachar opened the game with three scoreless frames, Barco came on to work the next three innings, striking out four batters while yielding three earned runs on two hits and one walk. Barco will give up his spot on the active roster and in the bullpen to right-hander Yohan Ramirez (personal), who was reinstated from the paternity leave list in a corresponding move.

The Pirates reinstated Ramirez (personal) from the paternity leave list Monday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Ramirez stepped away from the Pirates for the entirety of the team's three-game weekend series with the Red Sox to spend time with his growing family. He'll rejoin the bullpen ahead of Monday's series opener versus the Tigers, with the Pirates optioning left-hander Hunter Barco to Triple-A Indianapolis to clear room for Ramirez on the active roster and in the bullpen.

The Pirates optioned Simon to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Simon will give up his spot on the 26-man active roster to outfielder Oneil Cruz (hand), who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list. After getting the call from Triple-A on Aug. 5, Simon saw a fairly steady role for the Pirates, starting in eight of the club's ensuing 11 games while slashing .290/.333/.323 with one stolen base, four runs and two RBI over 34 plate appearances.

Gonzales (face) will start at second base and bat cleanup in Monday's game against the Tigers.

The Pirates kept Gonzales out of the lineup for the final two games of their weekend series with the Red Sox after he exited Friday's 8-4 win due to a facial contusion, which he sustained when he was hit in the helmet by a pitch. The 27-year-old appears to be feeling better after a couple of days of rest and shift over from his usual spot at third base to cover the keystone in place of Brandon Lowe, who will serve as the Pirates' designated hitter Monday.