MLB Player News

Tucker (back) will start in right field and bat sixth Friday against the Padres, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Tucker hasn't played since Monday due to back spasms, but he now seems to be feeling better following a few days of rest. He'll aim to turn things around in his return after going cold in June, slashing just .212/.321/.318 with two homers, 13 RBI, seven runs and two steals since the beginning of the month.

Boston recalled Cheng from Triple-A Worcester and he will start at shortstop against the Yankees on Friday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Cheng will make his season debut for Boston with Marcelo Mayer hitting the injured list with a left forearm injury. The 23-year-old Cheng may see extended playing time with Boston being depleted at the shortstop position with Isiah Kiner-Falefa (forearm), Trevor Story (abdomen) and Nick Sogard (oblique) all on the injured list in addition to Mayer. With Worcester, Cheng slashed .254/.351/.424 with seven homers and 18 RBI in 240 plate appearances.

The Red Sox placed Mayer on the 10-day injured list Friday with a stress reaction in his left forearm, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Interim manager Chad Tracy said that Mayer's injury is something that he's been dealing with for a while, so the team will place him on the IL to allow him to heal properly. Tsung-Che Cheng will come up from Triple-A Worcester to fill the open roster spot and is likely to receive a handful of starts while Boston also navigates injuries to Isiah Kiner-Falefa (forearm) and Nick Sogard (oblique).

Simpson is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against Arizona, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Simpson will ride the bench for the series opener despite recording at least one hit in six of his last seven games, and even with the Diamondbacks starting a righty in Zac Gallen. Victor Mesa will replace Simpson in left field and bat seventh Friday.

Sanoja is absent from the lineup for Friday's game in St. Louis.

Sanoja leads the Marlins with 36 starts at third base this season, but this is his second straight game out of the lineup and his fourth absence over the last five games versus righties. Graham Pauley was recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville and is getting the call at the hot corner Friday.

Kreidler is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies.

Kreidler will hit the bench Friday after he went a collective 8-for-19 with a triple, a walk, six RBI and three runs while starting in the Twins' past five games. A lifetime .184/.257/.278 hitter in the big leagues, Kreidler's recent hot stretch at the plate is likely just a blip on the radar, but he could play ahead of Tristan Gray at shortstop more often than not until his bat cools.

Hernandez is not in the lineup for Friday's contest in St. Louis.

Hernandez started each of the previous three games -- including two versus righties -- but the right-handed hitter will begins Friday's series opener on the bench. Esteury Ruiz is in left field for the Marlins.

Kirk is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Rangers.

Kirk will get a break Friday after he went 1-for-7 at the plate while catching 18 innings over the past two days. Brandon Valenzuela will step in at catcher for Kirk and will bat eighth.

Williams (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Fredericksburg on Sunday, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Williams is finally ready to pitch in games again following last July's internal brace procedure on his right elbow. The veteran right-hander will likely need most, if not all, of the allotted 30 days a pitcher receives on a rehab assignment, but he should be ready to rejoin the Nationals' active roster sometime in July.

Jobe (elbow) will throw live batting practice Saturday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Jobe will continue his rehab at the Tigers' facility in Lakeland, Fla. He's already thrown handfuls of bullpen sessions and will now progress to facing live hitters this weekend, as the right-hander works his way back from Tommy John surgery. Jobe has a good chance to pitch for Detroit in the second half of the season.