MLB Player News

Montgomery is not in the lineup for Monday's game versus the Cubs.

Montgomery had made 19 straight starts, but he's managed a lowly .539 OPS with a 39.3 percent strikeout rate over that span. With a lefty in Shota Imanaga on the hill for the Cubs, the left-handed-hitting Montgomery will get a day to regroup. Luisangel Acuna will cover shortstop for the White Sox.

Duran is absent from the lineup for Monday's game against the Diamondbacks.

The left-handed-hitting Duran will get a break versus southpaw Mitch Bratt after starting each of the previous 17 contests. Eli White will occupy left field for the Red Sox in the series opener.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Monday that Griffin has been cleared to transition out of the splint he had been wearing on his injured left ring finger, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Ditching the splint represents an important milestone in Griffin's recovery from a torn tendon in the finger, as he'll now be able to increase the intensity and volume of his baseball activities. Once the Pirates' homestand concludes Wednesday, Griffin is scheduled to report to the team's spring training facility in Florida to begin a hitting progression and playing catch. He'll likely remain in Florida for the duration of his rehab program before he's cleared to report to a minor-league affiliate to start playing in games. If all goes well, Tomczyk relayed that the Pirates are "optimistic" that Griffin will be ready to return to the big-league roster when he's first eligible to come off the 60-day injured list Sept. 4.

The Royals reinstated Garcia (hand) from the 10-day injured list Monday. He'll start at third base and bat cleanup in the team's series opener versus the Athletics.

Kansas City will get two major lineup pieces back ahead of its four-game series versus the Athletics, as first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (wrist) was also activated from the IL. Garcia had been on the shelf since June 22 due to a muscle strain his left hand, with his return getting pushed back further after he experienced renewed discomfort following his first rehab game July 28. He then underwent a cortisone shot that appears to have yielded the desired effect, as Garcia resumed his rehab assignment at Double-A Northwest Arkansas last week and went 4-for-10 with a double, three walks and a stolen base over three games. Garcia is expected to step back in as the Royals' primary option at the hot corner, resulting in Nick Loftin shifting into more of a utility role.

Marsee is not in the lineup for Monday's game in Philadelphia.

With ace lefty Cristopher Sanchez toeing the rubber for the Phillies, the lefty-swinging Marsee will receive a day of rest. Esteury Ruiz will cover center field in Marsee's stead.

The Royals reinstated Pasquantino (wrist) from the 10-day injured list Monday. He'll start at first base and bat fifth in the team's series opener versus the Athletics.

Kansas City will get two major lineup pieces back ahead of its four-game series with the Athletics, as third baseman Maikel Garcia (hand) was also activated from the IL. Pasquantino ended up spending just under three weeks on the shelf due to soreness in his right wrist, the same hand he previously required surgery for June 14 to address a broken hamate bone. Though Pasquantino should be available to play on a near-everyday basis as the regular season winds down, fantasy managers may want to temper expectations for his power production as he works to regain full strength in his wrist.

The Red Sox optioned Burgos to Triple-A Worcester on Monday.

Burgos helped save the bullpen with four innings of one-run ball in Sunday's loss to the Pirates, but he's being sent down a day later. The Red Sox called up Wyatt Olds from Triple-A to take Burgos' spot in the bullpen.

The Red Sox selected Olds's contract from Triple-A Worcester on Monday.

Olds will receive his first call-up to the big leagues after submitting a 5.33 ERA and 74:28 K:BB over 50.2 frames this season with Worcester. The right-hander -- who turned 27 earlier this month -- will likely provide Boston with some bullpen protection for a short period of time before returning to Worcester.

The Padres announced Monday that Andujar (wrist) has been cleared to begin a swing progression, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Andujar went down just after the All-Star break with a fractured right wrist. He will ramp up a swinging progression before eventually heading out on a rehab assignment. Andujar is without a timeline to return from the 10-day injured list, but he appears unlikely to make it back before the end of August.

Lawlar (hamstring) joined the Diamondbacks in Boston and is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Monday's game against the Red Sox, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Though Lawlar had been expected to continue his rehab assignment at Double-A Amarillo for the early part of the week, the Diamondbacks have apparently seen enough from the 24-year-old during his time on the farm to feel comfortable with his health. Lawlar -- who has been on the shelf since June 20 due to a right hamstring strain -- hit .250 with five home runs, two stolen bases and a 1:13 BB:K in nine games with Amarillo. He'll likely see most of his action in center field upon rejoining the Diamondbacks, with Lawlar's addition perhaps leaving Ryan Waldschmidt, Max Kepler and Lars Nootbaar to jockey for playing time between left field and the designated-hitter spot.