MLB Player News

Sosa is not in the lineup for Friday's contest against the Padres.

Sosa has just a .559 OPS and 35.6 percent strikeout rate so far in September. After being moved down to the No. 6 spot in the lineup for the previous two games, he'll get a day to regroup Friday. Miguel Vargas is at first base and Curtis Mead is at third base for the White Sox.

The Royals activated Cruz (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Cruz has been on the shelf since Aug. 3 due to tendinitis in his throwing shoulder, but he's been cleared to rejoin the active roster. The 26-year-old made four appearances during a minor-league rehab stint, allowing three hits and no walks with four strikeouts across 4.1 innings. Lucas Erceg (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Harris is not in the lineup for Friday's game in Pittsburgh.

After starting three straight games at third base earlier this week, Harris has now been held out of the lineup in back-to-back contests. Darell Hernaiz will play the hot corner and Zack Gelof will handle second base in Friday's series opener. Harris and Gelof could continue to form a quasi-platoon down the stretch, though it will be difficult to know ahead of time which of the two of them is going to start since they both bat from the right side of the plate.

Finnegan (groin) is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list Friday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Finnegan said he is "ready to go" for Friday's contest. The 34-year-old right-hander has been on the shelf since the start of September due to a right adductor strain. He'll likely compete with Will Vest for saves during the closing days of the regular season.

Stephenson is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Cubs.

Stephenson started Thursday's series opener and helped steer Hunter Greene to a shutout, but he'll get a breather in the second game of the series. Jose Trevino is at catcher and batting eighth for the Reds.

Stewart is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

Stewart had started each of the previous six contests but will get a breather Friday after going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in Thursday's game versus the Cubs. Spencer Steer is handling first base and Ke'Bryan Hayes (back) has returned to the lineup at third base.

Hayes (back) will start at third base and bat seventh in Friday's game versus the Cubs.

Hayes didn't start the previous two tilts due to a back issue, but he entered Thursday's game against the Cubs as a defensive replacement and is back in the lineup Friday. The 28-year-old enters play Friday having gone hitless over his last five contests.

Larnach is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Guardians.

Larnach will take a seat Friday against left-hander Parker Messick. In his place, Carson McCusker will DH while Austin Martin, Byron Buxton and James Outman fill the outfield from left to right.

Dingler is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus Atlanta.

It's a routine day off after Dingler started at catcher each of the previous five contests. Jake Rogers will be behind the dish and bat ninth for the Tigers on Friday.

Wallner (back) isn't in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Guardians.

Wallner was removed from Wednesday's contest due to back spasms, and despite a team day off Thursday, he'll be out of the lineup Friday. James Outman will fill right field in place of Wallner.