MLB Player News

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Thursday that Turner (hamstring) will not be activated from the 10-day injured list Friday, and he's not sure whether the shortstop will return at any point during the weekend series versus the Twins, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The good news is Turner had another good workout Thursday and Thomson is adamant that his starting shortstop will be ready for Game 1 of the NLDS on Oct. 4. Ideally, Turner will be back at some point this weekend in order to knock rust off before the playoffs, but the primary goal is to have him ready for the postseason. He's been sidelined for much of September with a Grade 1 right hamstring strain.

Baez (neck) will start at shortstop and bat ninth Thursday against the Guardians.

Baez sat out the Tigers' last two games while dealing with neck stiffness, but he'll return in time to start a pivotal contest against Cleveland in the race for the AL Central title. The 32-year-old has been struggling offensively since the beginning of the month, going just 3-for-27 (.111) and posting a .323 OPS over 12 games.

Baldwin is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Yankees.

Baldwin started the first two games of the series and had made three straight starts overall, but he'll begin Thursday's festivities on the bench. Derek Hill will patrol center field and Michael Taylor will be in right field for the White Sox.

Sosa is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Yankees.

It appears to be a routine day off for Sosa, who had started each of the last four contests. Miguel Vargas will play first base and Curtis Mead will be at third base for the White Sox in the series finale.

Abreu isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game versus Toronto, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Abreu will get a breather Thursday after going 2-for-11 with a run scored and four strikeouts since returning from the injured list Sunday. Rob Refsnyder will fill the void in right field and bat eighth.

Narvaez isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against Toronto, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Narvaez will take a seat Thursday after going 2-for-8 with a homer and five RBI over the first two games of the series. Connor Wong will catch for starter Brayan Bello and bat ninth.

Harper (illness) will start at first base and bat third Thursday against Miami, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Harper missed the Phillies' last two games while fighting off an illness, but he seems to be feeling better heading into Thursday's series finale. The 32-year-old slugger will aim to finish the year strong after posting an .839 OPS across 85 plate appearances since the beginning of September.

Realmuto (finger) will start at catcher and bat sixth Thursday against the Marlins, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Realmuto sat out Wednesday's contest after taking a foul ball off his right index finger Tuesday, and he's now ready to return to the starting nine after a day of rest. The 34-year-old backstop has been cold at the plate toward the end of the regular season, slashing .210/.288/.290 across 73 plate appearances since the beginning of the month.

Hernandez is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Philadelphia.

It's a routine day off for Hernandez, who had started each of the previous five contests. Agustin Ramirez will serve as the Marlins' designated hitter and Liam Hicks will do the catching Thursday.

Kirk is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Red Sox.

Kirk will receive a day of rest after starting at catcher in the first two games of the series. Tyler Heineman will be behind the dish and bat ninth as the Blue Jays try to avoid the sweep.