Vinnie Pasquantino not in Royals’ lineup on Sunday

There’s a chance Hernández decides to stick around as emergency organizational depth after tossing three scoreless innings against the Orioles last Friday. The well-traveled 31-year-old has the option to elect free agency after passing through waivers unclaimed, but his clearest path to another big-league opportunity is probably with Atlanta.

Kurtz has gone 1-for-8 with a three-run homer in a pair of games since coming back from the injured list over the weekend. The 23-year-old offensive force will get a breather with hard-throwing lefty Peyton Tolle toeing the rubber for Boston in this one. It’ll be Jeff McNeil taking over at first base.

Mead has a phenomenal opportunity to make some noise in Sutter Health Field’s high-octane offensive environment in West Sacramento after coming over from the Nationals in a challenge trade for lefty Connelly Early over the weekend. The 25-year-old former top prospect has gone through a bizarre odyssey in the early portion of his career, but he appears to have finally arrived as an impactful everyday option this season, launching 17 homers in 327 plate appearances for Washington. He’s started pulling the ball in the air with much greater frequency this season, which will absolutely work in Fenway Park. He’s at second base in his Boston debut, but is likely to also see time at the hot corner over the final two months.

It’s going to be challenging for Severino to make it back this season after hitting the injured list with a right shoulder strain last month, but he’s going to give it a shot. The 32-year-old will need to get a couple bullpen sessions under his belt before he’s cleared to face hitters in live batting practice. There’s a decent chance he’s back at some point in September, but that’s hardly a lock.

Kikuchi is at least a couple weeks away from returning to Los Angeles since he’ll need to build up his pitch count and stamina over a couple rehab starts. The 35-year-old southpaw is working his way back from shoulder inflammation that put him to the injured list back in early May. He opted for the rest-and-rehabilitation route instead of season-ending surgery and should make it back to the Angels’ rotation in mid-to-late August.

Cubs skipper Craig Counsell told reporters Cabrera is likely to require three rehab outings before returning. The 28-year-old starter hit the shelf with a moderate left hamstring strain back on June 24. He should make it back to Chicago at some point in mid-August.

Garcia is ready to return to game action after hitting the injured list with a muscle strain in his left hand back on June 23. The 26-year-old third baseman hasn’t come close to replicating last year’s impressive 16-homer, 23-steal breakthrough campaign. However, he should make an impact for fantasy managers down the home stretch and he should be rostered in most leagues.

Ross loses his spot on Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster with the acquisition of Johnathan Rodríguez from the Orioles. The 26-year-old went 1-for-5 with a homer in two games with the Pirates earlier this month.

Rodríguez heads to Triple-A Indianapolis as organizational depth for Pittsburgh after being designated for assignment last week. The unheralded 26-year-old hit .182 (2-for-11) during a seven-game stint with the Orioles.

Valencia comes back up to join Detroit’s bench for Monday’s series opener against the Orioles with Kerry Carpenter hitting the shelf with plantar fasciitis. The 26-year-old rookie hit .417 (5-for-12) with two homers and three RBI during six games with the Tigers earlier this month.