MLB Player News

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Wednesday that Walls (hip) felt good during his workouts Tuesday, and the team is encouraged by the shortstop's progress, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Walls hit the 10-day injured list Sept. 8 with a right hip flexor strain, but it sounds like he won't miss much more than the minimum, with Bass indicating Walls could return as soon as Thursday. Now 30, Walls is a .199/.290/.297 career hitter over parts of six MLB seasons. However, Tampa Bay values his defense, and that aspect of his game has kept Walls in a regular role throughout the season (110 starts).

Young is not in the lineup for Wednesday's tilt versus the Phillies.

Young started the last five contests in center field, but he'll get a break Wednesday. Dylan Crews will play center field for the Nationals, and he'll be flanked by Daylen Lile and James Wood in the outfield corners.

House is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Phillies.

House manned third base in the first game of the series Tuesday, but he'll take a seat in this one. Jorbit Vivas will cover the hot corner for the Nationals on Wednesday.

Abrams (neck) will start at second base and bat cleanup in Wednesday's contest versus the Phillies.

Abrams was unable to play Tuesday because of neck tightness, but he's ready to roll after one day of rest. It's the sixth start at second base this season for Abrams, who has split time between both spots in the middle infield over the last two-plus weeks.

Heim is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

The 31-year-old will yield to Brian Serven behind the plate after catching three of the Athletics' last four games. Heim has hit 12 homers in 85 games with the A's this season, but he has been in a funk of late, slashing .175/.195/.275 with just one long ball so far in September.

Gonzales is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Brewers.

The Pirates will go with Jacob Gonzalez at third base. Gonzales is slashing .303/.411/.368 across his last 90 plate appearances for Pittsburgh.

Horwitz is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Brewers.

It's the first time since April that a healthy Horwitz did not start a contest against a right-hander. Ryan O'Hearn will play first base as the Pirates take on Brewers righty Logan Henderson.

Harrison will start Thursday's game in Pittsburgh, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Harrison's last appearance came in relief last week, and he was charged with four runs without recording an out against the Reds. In his last five starts, the left-hander has logged a 6.95 ERA, 2.23 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB over 22 innings. Given those struggles, Harrison will not be guaranteed any more starts beyond Thursday.

Judge was removed from Wednesday's game against the Twins in the top of the sixth inning, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

Heliot Ramos pinch hit for Judge with a runner on base and the Yankees down 2-0. It's an odd spot to lift one of the best hitters in baseball, though Kuty suggests manager Aaron Boone may have simply wanted to give Judge a half day heading into Thursday's team off day. Judge just returned last week following a three-plus-month absence due to a stress fracture in his ribs.

De Paula is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Cincinnati.

De Paula made five straight starts upon his promotion to the big leagues Friday, but the left-handed hitter will get a breather as the Reds hand the ball to southpaw Andrew Abbott. Alex Call is grabbing a start in De Paula's place, manning left field while Teoscar Hernandez starts at designated hitter.