Raley (flu) remains out of lineup on Thursday

Mesa has been battling a lingering hamstring issue, which caused him to miss three games earlier this week. It sounds like he could wind up requiring a trip to the injured list since he lasted just four innings before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in his return to Tampa Bay’s lineup.

Cruz’ home run was his 15th of the year. He hit a two-run shot off Keider Montero in the fifth inning. Cruz was playing in his first game since suffering a hand injury on June 7. He’s hitting .265 with an .832 OPS and 46 RBI this year.

Montgomery allowed no runs while recording two strikeouts in the ninth inning. It was a dominant performance that earned him his fifth save of the year. Montgomery has two saves in the last five days, but only three total in August so far.

Montero gave up four hits, walked one and struck out three. He fell to 9-8 with the loss. Montero took the mound in the fifth inning with a 1-0 lead, but allowed three runs in the frame. Oneil Cruz hit a two-run home run and Spencer Horwitz had a two-out RBI single. Montero has a 3.30 ERA and has established himself as a long-term cog in the Tigers rotation this season. He’s lined up to face the Rays at home on Monday.

Ashcraft gave up five hits, walked none and struck out four. He improved to 13-5 with the win. Ashcraft allowed a solo home run to Brett Callahan in the fifth inning, but otherwise held the Tigers scoreless over eight innings. He’s allowed two earned runs in 17 innings with 14 strikeouts and one walk over his last two starts. Ashcraft has a 3.68 ERA. He’s lined up to face the Padres on the road next Monday.

Basallo will get a couple additional tune-up games in this week before returning to spearhead Baltimore’s catching mix for the final five-plus weeks of the season. The 22-year-old former top prospect has been out with shoulder inflammation since late July.

Gray threw 15 pitches in his first game action since last September. He entered the contest out of the bullpen in the fifth inning. The 28-year-old righty was one of the top pitching prospects in baseball roughly a half-decade ago before injuries derailed his promising career.

Anthony kicked off his rehab assignment in style with a no-doubter to right field in the fifth inning. The moonshot came on the heels of a 108-mph single in his second plate appearance of the evening. He also drew a pair of walks, reaching base safely in all four of his plate appearances. The 22-year-old former top prospect’s impending return represents a massive X-factor for the Red Sox as they try to secure a playoff spot following a remarkable midseason turnaround. He’s probably going to require a few additional rehab contests before he’s cleared to return to Boston’s lineup, but this performance qualifies as an extremely encouraging development. Anthony is the type of elite talent that should be rostered in all fantasy formats.

It was Ryan’s first bullpen session since landing on the injured list with a left glute strain back in early August. The 30-year-old upper-echelon fantasy starter has generally faded down the home stretch the last few years, so the hope is that the multi-week break helps get him back on track. He’ll need to progress to facing hitters in live batting practice before the Twins establish a definitive return timeline, which means fantasy managers shouldn’t expect Ryan back until some time in September.

Mesa was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the fourth inning of his first game back following a three-game absence due to hamstring tightness. He was hit by a pitch during his lone plate appearance prior to exiting.