Justin Verlander (hamstring) set for bullpen session

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.

Aleman continues to shuttle back and forth between the Guardians and Triple-A whenever they need a fresh arm in the bullpen. The 26-year-old has made 21 appearances at the MLB level, posting a 4.43 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and a 28/10 K/BB ratio over 22 1/3 innings. He’ll continue to refine his craft at the Triple-A level until he’s called upon once again.

He’ll replace Franco Aleman in the Guardians’ bullpen. Brogdon, 31, made 15 appearances with the Guardians earlier in the season, posting a 5.28 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a 14/3 K/BB ratio across 15 1/3 innings of work. He’ll function in a middle relief role.

McLain was a late scratch from Saturday’s lineup due to left shoulder soreness and he’s still not feeling good enough to give it a go on Sunday. The Reds maintain that it’s a day-to-day situation and McLain isn’t expected to require a return trip to the injured list. Juan Brito will cover second base in his absence and bat seventh for the Reds against Brewers’ southpaw Robert Gasser on Sunday.

The 33-year-old superstar has really struggled since returning from a broken hamate bone, slashing a woeful .214/.289/.270 with just one homer, 15 RBI and seven stolen bases in 180 plate appearances across 42 games. Angel Genao will cover third base in his absence and will bat seventh for the Guardians against Twins’ right-hander Joe Ryan.

Baty missed the first two games of the series after exiting Wednesday’s contest with left knee pain. He’s back in there at second base and will bat eighth against Yankees’ ace Cam Schlittler on Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

The Phillies needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster to accommodate the return of Tanner Banks on Sunday and Cairo found himself on the outside looking in. The 25-year-old infielder has had a disappointing season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, slashing .227/.378/.298 with four homers, 35 RBI and 25 stolen bases (in 36 attempts) over 516 plate appearances. It’s likely he’ll slip through waivers unclaimed and continue to function as extra infield depth for the Phillies.

With Tanner Banks (forearm) returning from the injured list on Sunday, someone needed to get the boot to clear a spot in the Phillies’ bullpen and it looks like Holman drew the short straw this time. The 26-year-old righty made just one appearance in his time with the big league club, giving up four unearned runs in 1/3 of an inning.