MLB Player News

Garcia (hand) will start at shortstop and bat second in Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

A left hand strain had kept Garcia out of the lineup for the Royals' previous three games, but the extra rest plus a team off day Saturday appears to have provided enough time for him to move past the issue. Though he had made all of his starts to date at third base or designated hitter, Garcia will cover shortstop Sunday while Bobby Witt (knee) misses a second straight game.

Witt (knee) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

A team off day Saturday didn't provide sufficient time for Witt to fully heal from a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee, prompting the Royals to keep him on the bench for a second straight game. Maikel Garcia will step in at shortstop in place of Witt, who will be re-evaluated Sunday and could still avoid a stint on the injured list.

Watson went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Saturday's 8-1 win over Houston.

Watson started a third consecutive game in right field but has yet to reach base safely while striking out seven times in 10 plate appearances. Despite appearing to be overmatched in his first tour of MLB, the left-handed batter could continue to get regular work while the Guardians cope with a recent spate of injuries, including outfielders Chase DeLauter (ribs) and Angel Martinez (foot).

Goldschmidt is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

The 38-year-old will get a breather after he had started at first base or designated hitter in every contest dating back to May 20. Goldschmidt has enjoyed a resurgent 2026 campaign, with his .901 OPS placing him behind only Ben Rice and Aaron Judge (rib) among all Yankees players.

Cantillo threw a major-league high 44 curveballs in Saturday's 8-1 win over the Astros, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Cantillo used the pitch 45 percent of the time, easily the most of any of his starts, and Houston went just 2-for-22 against it. Entering Saturday, the curve was third in his arsenal in terms of usage (20 percent) behind his four-seamer (40.4 percent) and changeup (28.2 percent). Cantillo threw 71 strikes among his 98 pitches Saturday for a 72.4 percent strike rate, the second-best mark of his big-league career. "That's exactly what we've talked about [with] attacking the zone," manager Stephen Vogt said. "That was one of the best games we've seen him pitch."

Grichuk is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Grichuk will hit the bench after going 3-for-14 with a solo home run, a double, a walk and an additional run scored while starting the past four games. Three of those starts came against left-handed pitching, as the White Sox still appear to be treating Grichuk primarily as a short-side platoon player.

Romo is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Romo will hit the bench for the fourth time in five games, though three of those absences have come against left-handed pitching. He and Edgar Quero appear to have settled into a quasi-platoon behind the plate, but both will likely see their opportunities shrink once Kyle Teel (knee/hamstring) makes his expected return from the 60-day injured list later this month.

McLain is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.

Spencer Steer and Edwin Arroyo will serve as the Reds' starters in the middle infield while McLain gets a breather in the series finale. McLain had started 13 straight games, slashing .233/.365/.512 with three home runs, four stolen bases, four RBI and eight runs during that stretch.

The White Sox optioned Davis to Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday.

The right-hander has struggled in June with six runs allowed and a 4:4 K:BB in seven appearances, so he'll be the odd man out as Jordan Hicks (lat) comes off the injured list Sunday. Davis has made 22 appearances this year in his first taste of the majors and has a 4.63 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 20:13 K:BB over 23.1 innings.

The White Sox reinstated Hicks (lat) from the 15-day injured list Sunday.

The right-hander landed on the shelf about a month ago due to a right lat strain, and he's ready to rejoin the big-league bullpen after three rehab appearances at Triple-A. Hicks has struggled with his control this year and has a 5.60 ERA, 2.09 WHIP and 15:17 K:BB across 17.2 innings.