MLB Player News

Butler is not in the Athletics' starting lineup against the Red Sox on Monday.

Butler has a .188 batting average over 106 plate appearances against southpaws this season, so he'll begin Monday's game in the dugout as the Red Sox send Garrett Crochet to the mound. Tyler Soderstrom, Colby Thomas and Brent Rooker will start in the outfield from left to right for the Athletics. Butler has logged at least two hits in five of his last 10 games, and over that span he has gone 13-for-38 (.342) with six runs, two homers and five RBI.

Fermin is not in the lineup for Monday's game in Seattle.

Fermin started each of the previous three games -- two at third base and one at second base -- while Nolan Gorman shifted to first base to cover for the suspended Willson Contreras. However, Alec Burleson (wrist) is back from the 10-day injured list and will handle first base Monday. Fermin has fared well in his limited chances this season, slashing .278/.381/.417 with one home run and a 6:6 K:BB over 20 contests.

Smith (hand) is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Rockies on Monday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Smith will remain out of the Dodgers' lineup while working through a right hand contusion that he suffered Thursday against the Pirates, when his throwing hand was struck by a ball while he was catching. Imaging came back negative, but the contusion is something that Smith will likely have to work through for the rest of the season. Ben Rortvedt will serve behind home plate and bat ninth in Monday's series opener.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Monday that Mahle (shoulder) could return from the 60-day injured list this weekend to make a start against the Mets, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Out since mid-June with a right shoulder strain, Mahle was roughed up in his first rehab outing but was better his last time out, striking out three over 2.1 scoreless innings for Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday. He is not fully stretched out after throwing just 47 pitches Sunday, but the Rangers may consider using him in tandem with Jacob Latz, who recently moved from the bullpen to the rotation. Mahle managed a 2.34 ERA over 14 starts covering 77 innings before getting hurt, but a pedestrian 56:27 K:BB suggested that he benefited from some batted-ball luck.

Evans (elbow) threw a bullpen session Monday and is on track to begin a rehab assignment next week, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Evans landed on the 15-day injured list on Aug. 15 due to right elbow inflammation and will likely need just one or two rehab starts in the minors to get stretched back out. Prior to being deactivated, Evans went 6-5 with a 4.37 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 58:30 K:BB across 78.1 innings over 15 starts with Seattle. With the Seattle rotation currently at full strength, Evans could be relegated to a bullpen role once he's reinstated.

Crooks is starting at catcher and batting sixth in Monday's game against the Mariners.

Crooks is making his third start over the last four games and the left-handed hitter has been in the lineup four times across the Cardinals' last five contests versus righties. According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, Crooks is expected to continue seeing the bulk of the starts behind the dish for the rest of the season. Pedro Pages' could be limited mostly to playing versus lefties, while Yohel Pozo will be used as a pinch hitter.

Kelly is out of the lineup for Monday's game in Atlanta.

Kelly will get a breather for the series opener in Atlanta after he started behind the plate in the final two games of the Cubs' weekend set versus the Nationals, going 2-for-7 with a pair of solo home runs, an additional RBI and a walk between those contests. Reese McGuire will handle catching duties for Chicago on Monday.

Mariners manager Justin Hollander said Monday that Bliss (biceps) tore the meniscus in his right knee while on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma and is out for the rest of the season, Tim Booth of The Seattle Times reports.

Bliss had been on the shelf since April 9 due to a left biceps tear that required surgery, but he appeared to be on the cusp of a return from the 60-day injured list after going 5-for-13 with three doubles, four walks, two stolen bases and seven RBI through his first six rehab games with Tacoma. Unfortunately for the 25-year-old infielder, he seemingly suffered the knee injury over the weekend and required another surgery Monday. Hollander didn't provide a timeline for Bliss' return from the knee procedure, but if Bliss required a full repair of the meniscus, he could be out of action for the start of spring training.

Taillon (groin) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday's game in Atlanta, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Taillon has officially been cleared to rejoin the Cubs rotation after missing the past couple weeks of action with a strained left groin. The veteran right-hander allowed three runs on six hits --including a pair of home runs -- and a walk while striking out six over 3.2 innings in his lone rehab start with Triple-A Iowa this past Thursday. Taillon threw 68 pitches in that outing, so he'll have a somewhat limited workload Wednesday.

The Cubs recalled Roberts from Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

Roberts will rejoin the Cubs and provide a fresh arm in the bullpen after Daniel Palencia (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Over 10 appearances with the big club this season, Roberts has posted a 6.00 ERA and 1.33 WHIP across nine innings.