MLB Player News

The Rays scored in each of the final seven innings and tied the game with three in the ninth, but the Tigers were able to win it in the bottom of the inning. Schoop was 5-for-27 with no homers this spring coming into this one. The Tigers seem prepared to use him as their primary second baseman at the beginning of the year. They’d love for some team to make an offer for him, but Schoop will have to experience some regular-season success if that’s going to happen.

The 23-year-old slugger was removed from Wednesday’s game due to soreness in his ankle and it was bothering him enough that he was held out of Thursday’s contest as well. The day off seems to have done him some good though, as he’s back in there in right field and batting third against Tigers’ right-hander Troy Melton on Friday evening in Kansas City.

The switch-hitting 23-year-old outfielder has been struggling at the plate in recent weeks, hitting just .192/.306/.274 with one homer, 10 RBI and a 23/11 K/BB ratio over 85 plate appearances in his last 20 games, so perhaps giving him a day off to clear his head is a good idea. Tristan Peters will slide over and cover right field while Brenton Doyle draws a start in center and will bat sixth for the White Sox against Mets’ left-hander Sean Manaea.

Nationals’ manager Blake Butera told reporters on Thursday night that X-rays on Abrams’ ankle came back negative for any fractures and that he’s just dealing with a minor left ankle sprain. They’re hopeful that he’ll be able to return to the lineup on Saturday. Nasim Nuñez will once again start in his place at shortstop on Friday night and will bat eighth against Marlins’ right-hander Ryan Gusto.

He’ll take the place of Emmet Sheehan in the Dodgers’ bullpen for the time being. The 26-year-old right-hander has registered a 2.35 ERA and an 8/5 K/BB ratio over 7 2/3 frames with the Dodgers this season. He’ll provide manager Dave Roberts with another weapon to deploy from the right side in the middle innings.

Sheehan had just been recalled from Triple-A on Tuesday to function in a multi-inning relief role, but he did not make an appearance. The expectation is that he’ll stay stretched out as a starter at the Triple-A level until he’s needed once more by the Dodgers. He won’t be able to return for at least 10 days unless he’s replacing someone that’s heading to the injured list. Paul Gervase was recalled in a corresponding move on Friday.

Cuas was just optioned to Triple-A on Monday, but with Maikel Garcia (hamstring) hitting the injured list on Friday, they’re able to bring him back before the 10 days are up. The 32-year-old hurler holds a stellar 1.64 ERA and a 13/4 K/BB ratio despite a shaky 1.46 WHIP over 11 innings in 10 appearances with the Royals this season. He’ll function in a middle relief role once again for manager Matt Quatraro.

The 25-year-old righty was with the Royals for just three days, giving up two runs on two hits and three walks over 1 1/3 innings in his two appearances. He’ll continue to refine his craft at the Triple-A level until he’s called upon once more.

With Maikel Garcia (hamstring) landing on the injured list on Friday, Lugo will have his first chance to show the Royals what he can do at the MLB level. The 25-year-old outfielder has slashed .265/.350/.473 with 11 homers, 36 RBI and three stolen bases across 226 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A this season.

Garcia, who had just returned from the injured list on Monday, suffered a hamstring strain while running the bases in the first inning on Thursday night. It’s a brutal blow for the Royals and for fantasy managers who had been holding onto him with the hope that he’d be able to make a major impact down the stretch. Matthew Lugo was recalled from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move on Friday.

Cellucci was just promoted from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, but he’ll head right back there to clear a spot on their active roster for the return of Spencer Arrighetti (foot) on Friday. The 28-year-old southpaw did not make an appearance out of the bullpen during his brief stay with the Jays, so his MLB debut will have to wait.