MLB Player News

Kurtz will likely be placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right thumb capsule strain, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Kurtz was removed from Wednesday's game against the White Sox with what was diagnosed as an illness at the time. However, he appeared to jam his right hand while attempting to field a throw in the first inning of that game, and more tests have revealed a right thumb strain. It's unclear whether the injury is severe enough for Kurtz to warrant a stint on the IL beyond the 10-day minimum. However, assuming he's placed on the IL, it means that the young first baseman would no longer represent the American League in the All-Star Game on Tuesday. An extended absence means there will be more reps at first base available for Joey Meneses and Jeff McNeil.

Guzman is not in the Angels' starting lineup against the Twins on Friday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Guzman will be on the bench for the beginning of Friday's game while Vaughn Grissom starts at third base and bats third. Guzman went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts against the Rangers on Thursday, but in the 10 games prior, he went 12-for-41 (.293) with two RBI and two doubles.

O'Hoppe is not in the Angels' starting lineup against the Twins on Friday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Tyler Heineman will start at catcher for Friday's series opener and form a battery with the returning Grayson Rodriguez (back). O'Hoppe is slashing .220/.281/.317 with four home runs and 23 RBI across 225 plate appearances this season.

Trout is not in the Angels' starting lineup against the Twins on Friday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Fletcher relays that it's a planned off-day for Trout, who will play center field Saturday and will either play center field or serve as the designated hitter in Sunday's series finale. Josh Lowe will start in center field Friday while Wade Meckler and Jo Adell man the corners.

The Angels optioned Saucedo to Triple-A Salt Lake following Thursday's game against the Rangers.

The move corresponds with the Angels reinstating Grayson Rodriguez (back) from the 15-day injured list, and the right-hander will start in Friday's game against the Twins. Saucedo has appeared in six major-league games out of the Angels' bullpen this season, though he was tagged with the blown save in his last outing against the Rangers on Tuesday, when he allowed one run on two hits while striking out two across one inning. Saucedo will head back down to Triple-A, where he has a 6.75 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and 32:24 K:BB across 30.2 innings this season.

The Angels reinstated Rodriguez (back) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start against the Twins on Friday.

Rodriguez is ready to make his first major-league start since June 14 following a one-month stint on the IL while recovering from lower-back tightness. The right-hander has been limited to six major-league starts this season due to two separate stints on the IL, and he has 2-2 record with an 8.06 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 24:15 K:BB across 25.2 innings.

Narvaez is not in the Red Sox's starting lineup against the Mets on Friday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Narvaez will take a seat for Friday's series opener with Connor Wong starting behind home plate and batting eighth while catching pitches from Sonny Gray. Narvaez has a .529 OPS with one steal, two home runs and six RBI over 170 plate appearances this season.

DeGrom will not make his scheduled start against the Astros on Sunday due to a mild left glute strain, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Friday that he's not sure whether deGrom will be available "right away" following the All-Star break, and a stint on the 15-day injured list is a real possibility for the veteran right-hander. No longer starting Sunday, DeGrom will enter the All-Star break with a 7-5 record over 18 starts along with a 3.49 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 122:22 K:BB across 100.2 innings. The Rangers should have a clearer idea of deGrom's recovery timeline once he undergoes more tests.

Troy isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Troy has collected a base hit in each of his last four games, but the D-backs will keep him on the bench to begin Friday's contest. Ryan Waldschmidt will start in center field and bat eighth.

Kepler isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Kepler will get a breather Friday after going 4-for-13 with a homer, six RBI and two runs scored during Arizona's four-game set against the Padres. His absence will allow Lourdes Gurriel to start in left field and open a spot in the lineup for Tim Tawa at first base.