Athletics release reliever Michael Kelly

This doesn’t come as a major surprise as Buxton was always expected to require the procedure, though the Twins were holding out hope that he could return and contribute at some point down the stretch. The details of the procedure are not yet known, but Buxton should have plenty of time to recover before the start of the 2027 campaign.

The 29-year-old slugger has shouldered a heavy workload this season, so getting him a day off against tough right-hander Drew Rasmussen isn’t the worst idea in the world. Alvarez is just 7-for-33 (.212) in the month of September and has hit just three home runs over his last 38 games. He also had a minor injury scare with his ankle on Thursday, so it’s possible that played into the decision as well. Jose Altuve will function as the team’s designated hitter while Nick Allen starts at second base and will bat ninth for the Astros.

The Pirates are calling it hamstring discomfort, but Valdez had to be helped off the field. Unless was just a really bad cramp, Valdez’s season is most likely over. That would mean more at-bats for Jake Mangum and Billy Cook, unless maybe the Pirates want to give Jhostynxon Garcia a try. Garcia, though, just returned from injury in Triple-A.

Carroll missed the previous two games due to soreness in his back, but an MRI on Thursday didn’t show anything concerning and the superstar outfielder is back out there in right field for Friday’s tilt against Rangers’ left-hander MacKenzie Gore. Fantasy managers can go ahead and make sure he’s active for the weekend.

Bauers missed each of the past three games due to shin splints, but he’s finally feeling better and is back in there at first base and batting fifth against Reds’ left-hander Andrew Abbott on Friday night in Milwaukee. The 30-year-old slugger has hit .268/.395/.490 with a career-high 24 homers and 78 RBI in 522 plate appearances in what has been a very productive season at the dish.

Murakami hasn’t been a platoon bat for the White Sox this season, but he has slashed just .179/.331/.368 with six homers, 18 RBI and a 54/26 K/BB ratio over 145 plate appearances against southpaws this season, so maybe this will be a trend going forward. Miguel Vargas will shift over to first base with Colson Montgomery covering the hot corner and Luisangel Acuna drawing a start at shortstop and batting ninth against Cardinals’ left-hander Matthew Liberatore.

Stott doesn’t sit against all left-handers, but he’ll find himself on the bench against one of the toughest in baseball on Friday night. Edmundo Sosa will man the hot corner in his absence and will bat sixth for the Phillies.

Lile will get a rare night off with left-hander Yusei Kikuchi toeing the slab for the Angels in this one. Dylan Crews will slide over and cover left field in his place while James Wood covers right field and Andres Chaparro draws a start as the Nationals’ designated hitter and will bat second.

It’s our first Jiménez update in many months after he had knee surgery in May. The 31-year-old righty said he isn’t ruling out pitching again this year but knows that time isn’t on his side. We’d be surprised if he pitched this year. If so, that’ll make it two years in a row without pitching for Jiménez after multiple surgeries on his knee.

He’d missed three of the last four games. Springer had been pretty hot before sitting over this span for undisclosed reasons so he can be fired up in daily transaction leagues against RHP Chris Bassitt.