MLB Player News

Mesa (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.

Mesa exited Friday's 6-5 loss after seven innings due to left hamstring tightness and will be left out of the starting nine for a second straight day. According to MLB.com, manager Kevin Cash labeled Mesa as day-to-day and said that the young outfielder is "going to be OK," so Mesa appears likely to avoid a stint on the injured list. Mesa was able to make a pinch-hitting appearance in Saturday's 4-3 extra-inning loss, which suggests that his absence Sunday may have more to do with a lefty (Trevor Rogers) starting for the Orioles than the hamstring injury.

Contreras is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh.

Following a 0-for-3 performance with a walk and two strikeouts in Saturday's 4-0 win, Contreras will ride the pine for the series finale. Nick Sogard will move over to first base in place of Contreras, who had started in each of the previous eight contests.

Hicks is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.

Hicks will be given a rest after he started behind the plate in each of the Rays' last four games. Nick Fortes will handle catching duties Sunday.

Hayes went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Saturday's 8-4 loss to the Marlins.

Hayes popped a fifth-inning home run, which was followed one batter later by a Matt McLain homer to give Cincinnati a 4-3 lead. The home run was the fifth of the season for Hayes, who has hit safely in three consecutive games. That represents the second-longest hit streak of 2026 for the third baseman, who had a four-gamer in April and is batting just .149 with a .456 OPS over 68 games and 186 plate appearances.

McLain went 3-for-4 with a double, a solo home run and an additional run scored in Saturday's 8-4 loss to Miami.

McLain's third-inning double triggered a two-run rally, and then he and Ke'Bryan Hayes hit back-to-back homers in the fifth to give the Reds a 4-3 lead. The double snapped an 0-for-10 stretch for McLain, who's had a disappointing season at the dish with a .197/.296/.352 slash line over 363 plate appearances. It's been a different story in the field, as he extended an errorless streak to 108 games, setting a new franchise record for second basemen.

Lawlar (hamstring) went 1-for-4 with a walk, a home run and two RBI in a rehab game with Double-A Amarillo on Saturday.

Lawlar has been tearing it up during his rehab assignment, producing a .250/.270/.667 slash line with five home runs and two stolen bases through nine contests at Double-A. The 24-year-old has checked several boxes in the recovery process -- including making starts in center field on consecutive days and playing full nine-inning games -- and appears to be ready to return from the 10-day injured list. However, the Diamondbacks plan to have the 24-year-old stay on assignment for another few games, according to MLB.com.

The Red Sox are expected to place Yoshida (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list prior to Sunday's game against the Pirates, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Boston intends to call up Mickey Gasper from Triple-A Worcester as a replacement for Yoshida, who strained his left hamstring while legging out a double during Saturday's 4-0 win. Per MLB.com, the Red Sox expect Yoshida to miss more than the minimum 10 days, with the 33-year-old unlikely to return until September. Gasper could be an option to take over Yoshida's role as the primary designated hitter against right-handed pitching, though interim manager Chad Tracy may prefer to rotate a number of different players in that lineup spot.

Montgomery went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI on Saturday against the Tigers.

Montgomery doubled home two runners in the third inning to break a 1-1 tie. His production continues to come in bunches, as he's driven in 17 runs across 25 games since the All-Star break despite hitting only .173 with a 37.3 percent strikeout rate. Montgomery reached 70 RBI for the campaign with the performance, paired with his 26 home runs.

Atlanta selected Kerr's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

In a corresponding move, Danny Young was designated for assignment. Kerr last appeared in the majors with Atlanta in 2024, submitting a 5.64 ERA and 1.61 WHIP across 22.1 innings before undergoing Tommy John surgery that June.

Vargas started at second base Saturday in place of the injured Ketel Marte (knee) and went 1-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in a 10-3 win over Atlanta.

Vargas finsihed off the scoring with a three-run shot in the top of the ninth inning. He replaced Marte in Friday's game, when the latter was removed in the second inning, and filled in for him again a day later. Marte was considered a game-time decision Saturday, so this may not lead to a sizeable opportunity for Vargas. The homer was his eighth of the season, a career high, but his first since May 12.