Bryan Woo fans seven in defeating Red Sox

The 23-year-old slugger missed six consecutive games due to a mild flexor strain in his elbow. He took batting practice on the field without issue on Saturday though and is finally ready to return. He’ll start as the Royals’ designated hitter and will bat third against Red Sox’ southpaw Payton Tolle on Sunday afternoon at Fenway Park.

With Lourdes Gurriel Jr. getting designated for assignment on Sunday, Fernandez will rejoin the Diamondbacks to show what he can do over the final two weeks of the season. He’s hit .262/.305/.356 with three homers and nine steals in 207 plate appearances over 65 games with the D’Backs during his rookie campaign.

Gurriel has struggled through an injury-plagued season, slashing a woeful .210/.254/.290 with just two homers and 22 RBI in 201 plate appearances. It was clear that the Diamondbacks weren’t going to pick up his team option for the 2027 season, so they’ll give some of their younger players an opportunity over the final two weeks of the season.

With Kyle Bradish (abdomen) landing on the injured list unexpectedly on Sunday, Hiraldo will return to add a fresh arm to the Orioles’ bullpen. The 30-year-old hurler has registered a 5.87 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and a 13/6 K/BB ratio over 7 2/3 innings in seven appearances for the O’s this season. He’ll function in a middle relief role.

The issue cropped up for Bradish during Saturday’s start against the Blue Jays. With only a couple of weeks left in the season, it seems likely that this will end his 2026 campaign prematurely. Yaramil Hiraldo was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to add a fresh arm to the Orioles’ bullpen on Sunday.

Lowe will take a seat with left-hander Matthew Boyd toeing the slab for the Cubs. Spencer Horwitz will also get the same treatment. Nick Gonzales will cover second base in his absence and will bat fifth for the Pirates on Sunday afternoon at Wrigley Field.

Montgomery has been really scuffling at the plate lately, slashing a putrid .143/.259/.257 with two homers, seven RBI and a 9/11 K/BB ratio over 81 plate appearances in his last 21 games, so giving him a day off to clear his head seems to make sense. Tristan Peters will slide over to cover right field while Brenton Doyle draws a start in center and will bat ninth for the White Sox against Michael McGreevy and the Cardinals.

Alvarez missed the first two games of the series after suffering a minor ankle injury on Thursday. The 29-year-old slugger is back in there as the Astros’ designated hitter on Sunday and will bat second against Rays’ right-hander Freddy Peralta. Alvarez is just 7-for-33 (.212) in the month of September and has hit just three home runs over his last 38 games.

The 25-year-old southpaw has done a nice job in 18 appearances with the White Sox this season, registering a 3.13 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and an 18/12 K/BB ratio over 37 1/3 innings of work. He should get another opportunity with the big league club before the 2026 season comes to a close.

The 25-year-old hurler has made five appearances (three starts) for the White Sox this season, posting an uninspiring 6.93 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 24/12 K/BB ratio over 24 2/3 innings. He’ll add a fresh arm capable of working multiple innings to a White Sox’ bullpen that has been taxed recently.