MLB Player News

The Twins placed Topa on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a left oblique strain.

Topa was removed from Sunday's game with left knee discomfort, but he'll head to the injured list Friday with a different ailment. The 34-year-old has been serving as a high-leverage arm since Jhoan Duran was dealt to the Phillies. He's blown two of his six save chances during that stretch and has allowed seven runs (six earned) across his last nine appearances. Cody Laweryson was brought up from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move. Cole Sands, Kody Funderburk and Michael Tonkin are candidates for save chances.

The Twins selected Laweryson's contract from Triple-A St. Paul on Friday.

Laweryson's next appearance with the Twins will be his MLB debut. The 27-year-old right-hander has logged 44 innings of work between Double-A and Triple-A this season, posting a 2.86 ERA and 9.2 K/9. Laweryson will likely slot into Minnesota's bullpen in middle relief.

Varsho is absent from the lineup for Friday's game versus the Orioles.

The left-handed-hitting Varsho will take a seat as the Orioles send southpaw Trevor Rogers to the bump. Varsho -- who is slashing just .162/.238/.162 against lefties this season -- will yield center field to Myles Straw.

Lukes is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Orioles.

It's southpaw Trevor Rogers on the hill for the Orioles, so the left-handed-swinging Lukes will take a seat. The Blue Jays are going with Davis Schneider, Myles Straw and George Springer in the outfield for the series opener.

Barger is not in the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Orioles.

The Blue Jays haven't faced many left-handers lately, but the left-handed-hitting Barger has been out of the lineup each of the last three times they've gone up against a southpaw. George Springer will be in right field and Ernie Clement will play third base Friday versus Trevor Rogers and the Orioles.

The Phillies will place Alvarado on the 15-day injured list prior to Friday's game against the Royals due to an undisclosed injury, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

It's unclear what injury he's dealing with, but Alvarado last pitched Wednesday against the Mets, giving up a solo home run in one inning of work. He will be eligible for activation for the final series of the regular season, but it's possible Alvarado's season is over, particularly since he's ineligible for the postseason roster after his PED suspension.

The Phillies selected Buehler's contract from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Buehler will start Friday's game against the Royals as the Phillies shift to a six-man rotation. The right-hander made one start at Lehigh Valley after being signed to a minor-league contract Aug. 31, allowing two runs (one earned) while striking out five over three innings. He was released by the Red Sox last month after posting a 5.45 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 84:55 K:BB in 112.1 innings. The Phillies will take a look at the 31-year-old down the stretch to evaluate his capacity to help out their pitching staff in the playoffs.

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

Quero will get the day off Friday after making three straight starts -- two at DH and one at catcher. Kyle Teel will slot in behind the plate while Andrew Benintendi serves as the designated hitter.

Brito will be sidelined for 8-to-12 weeks after undergoing surgery to repair his left hamstring, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Brito came into spring training with a chance to win the Guardians' second-base job, but he spent all season in the minors and was limited to only 24 games at Triple-A Columbus due to thumb and now hamstring surgeries. The 23-year-old should be ready to report to spring training without any restrictions.

Sogard is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Yankees.

Sogard had started each of the previous three contests -- including two in right field -- but he will begin Friday's festivities on the bench. Nate Eaton will patrol right field and bat eighth in the series opener.