MLB Player News

Cora is signed to a three-year, $21.75 million contract with the Red Sox that he will still collect even if he doesn’t manage another game. Taking another managerial position would mean that he has to rip up that contract, so he’s understandably in no rush. Cora will spend time with his family for now, but there’s obviously a chance that he could change his mind in the future. For now, Don Mattingly will manage the Phillies.

Contreras was pulled from Friday’s game after being hit in the back of the helmet by a pitch and was then held out of Saturday’s lineup as a precautionary measure. He’s right back in there at first base on Sunday night and will bat cleanup against Dodgers’ right-hander Emmet Sheehan.

García was scratched from the Nationals’ lineup on Sunday, presumably as the two sides were getting deeper into discussions. Sherman also notes that Yankees’ Double-A starter Jack Cebert has been included prominently in those discussions. Stay tuned, as when there’s this much smoke, there’s usually fire.

Chaparro was hit by the pitch with the bases loaded in the fourth inning, bringing in the Nationals’ first run. He remained in the game to run the bases for himself and manned his position in the field during the home half of the fourth inning but was ultimately replaced when the Nats took the field in the fifth. He’ll likely have to pass through the concussion protocol before he’s cleared to return.

Kennedy returns to the Giants where he was before being dealt to the Mariners for cash considerations at the end of June. He’ll once again function as extra infield depth and could get an opportunity with the big league club if Luis Arraez is ultimately dealt before Monday’s trade deadline.

The Cubs designated the veteran right-hander for assignment earlier in the week, so they were willing to flip him for anything that they could get at this stage. The 34-year-old hurler holds a miserable 5.92 ERA across 76 innings in his 15 starts this season. It’s unclear if he’ll get an opportunity to pitch out of the rotation for the Blue Jays or if he’ll be utilized out of the bullpen initially instead.

Athletics’ manager Mark Kotsay called the issue manageable and said that they expect Wilson to return to manning the shortstop position on Tuesday. Alika Williams will start there in his place on Sunday and will bat seventh against Keider Montero and the Tigers as the A’s look to avoid a three-game series sweep.

Kurtz is set to visit a hand specialist on Monday, after which the A’s will determine whether or not he’s going to require a trip to the injured list. Fantasy managers should have a contingency plan in place for next week in the event that Kurtz is forced to miss some significant time.

Hicks is enjoying a breakout season at the dish, slashing .283/.364/.434 with 14 homers and 62 RBI across 405 plate appearances. Rosenthal notes that the Yankees, while in the market for a catcher, are not among the teams interested in Hicks as they would prefer a catcher that bats from the right side.

Chapman and the Giants are trying to find answers as to why he’s still experiencing soreness whenever he does any sort of running. The 33-year-old infielder had been trending toward a return but is now once again out indefinitely.

Arraez left Friday’s game and was held out of action on Saturday due to cramping in his legs, but he’s doing much better now. It’s still possible that he gets pulled early from Sunday’s game if he winds up on the move as trade rumors have been ferociously swirling around him in recent days.