MLB Player News

Kelly will start at catcher and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Mariners.

The Cubs' timeshare at catcher has been tilting in favor of Kelly lately; he'll pick up his third start Sunday in the last four games. Thus far in August, Kelly has produced a .689 OPS, 60 points ahead of Miguel Amaya's mark on the month.

Gasper is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Though he'll head to the bench while southpaw Matt Wilkinson starts for the Giants, the switch-hitting Gasper looks to have moved into a regular role as the Red Sox's designated hitter versus right-handed pitching since being recalled from Triple-A Worcester a week ago. While starting in each of Boston's last five games, Gasper went 5-for-15 with three home runs, one double, two walks, eight RBI and three runs.

Jones (hip) will serve as the Red Sox's designated hitter and leadoff batter in Sunday's game against the Giants.

Jones will re-enter the lineup for the first time since Aug. 8. Though he's typically been a regular part of the starting nine against left-handed pitching, Jones has seen limited playing time over the past two weeks while the Red Sox have faced a right-handed-heavy pitching schedule. Jones also missed out on starting against a lefty in Monday's win over the Diamondbacks while he dealt with hip tightness, but he cleared up any concern about his health by making a cameo off the bench two days later.

Lagrange (shoulder) has been doing well in his flat-ground throwing program, but Yankees GM Brian Cashman said in early August that it is "highly doubtful" the fireballing pitcher will throw for the big-league club this season, MLB.com reports.

Lagrange was diagnosed with a right shoulder capsular strain in early July and hasn't appeared in a game since. While the 23-year-old appears to be making progress in his recovery, it's unlikely that there's enough time left in the campaign for him to work his way back to minor-league action and then to a big-league call-up. Cashman didn't completely shut the door on that scenario, however, saying that Lagrange pitching for the Yankees this season is "possible but unlikely."

Hill is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Though he'll be on the bench for the second straight day while the Red Sox send another lefty (Jake Bennett) to the bump, the left-handed-hitting Hill looks to be gaining traction as the strong-side member of a platoon in left field with Victor Bericoto. Hill has started in all four of the Giants' matchups against righties since being called up from Triple-A Sacramento on Aug. 13 and has gone 3-for-12 with two doubles, two walks, two RBI and one run to begin his big-league career.

Gilbert is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

The Giants included Gilbert in the lineup for Saturday's 3-2 loss while southpaw Patrick Sandoval started for the Red Sox, but the left-handed-hitting outfielder will hit the bench against lefty Jake Bennett in the series finale. Jonah Cox will replace Gilbert in center field and will bat eighth.

Schmidt (elbow) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Tuesday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Schmidt has been on the injured list all season while rehabbing from the internal brace procedure he underwent last July. The 30-year-old hurler is nearing the finish line in his recovery and could begin a minor-league rehab assignment by next weekend if his live BP session Tuesday goes well. Schmidt could then return to the big-league club at some point in September, though the expectation is that he will work out of the bullpen.

Cavanaugh is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

The left-handed-hitting Cavanaugh will be on the bench for a second straight day while the Red Sox send southpaw Jake Bennett to the bump for the series finale. Andrew Knizner will handle the catching duties for the Giants.

Sullivan will start at catcher and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Guardians.

Sullivan has handled a hefty workload of late, starting behind the dish in all but two of the Rockies' 10 games since Aug. 12 while All-Star backstop Hunter Goodman (shoulder) has been out of commission. Though Sullivan has popped two home runs, driven in seven runs and scored five times during that span, his fantasy utility will likely take a hit during the upcoming week, when the Rockies will leave the favorable confines of Coors Field and play seven straight road games.

Veen is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians.

The Rockies will keep the left-handed-hitting Veen on the bench for the second time in the series while the Guardians send another lefty (Foster Griffin) to the bump. Jordan Beck will draw the start in right field in place of Veen.