MLB Player News

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Wednesday that Kurtz will undergo an MRI on Thursday after X-rays on his left forearm were "kind of unclear," Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Kurtz was forced to depart Wednesday's contest versus the Red Sox after being struck on the forearm by a Patrick Sandoval pitch. The Athletics should offer an update on the star first baseman's status later Thursday. Kurtz just returned from the injured list less than a week ago after missing time with a thumb injury.

Murakami went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and three runs scored Wednesday against the Yankees.

Murakami delivered a clutch home run in the eighth inning to tie the game at 4-4. He also scored a game-tying run in the 11th frame. After starting slowly following his return from the injured list in mid-July, Murakami is now in the midst of a six-game hitting streak, during which he's gone 8-for-24 with three home runs, seven RBI and eight runs scored.

Manzardo went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in a 6-1 win over the Reds on Wednesday.

Manzardo reached base safely three times in Wednesday's game as he continues his mini power surge over his last seven games. In those games, Manzardo has three homers and eight RBI to go along with a .714 slugging percentage, but he is struggling overall on the season with a .154 average (4-for-26) and 12 strikeouts since the break and is batting just .210 for the season.

Kurtz was removed from Wednesday's game against the Red Sox after getting hit on the forearm by a pitch, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Kurtz initially remained in the game after taking a 95-mph sinker off his left arm in the first inning, but he was replaced in the field at the start of the second frame. The A's have officially diagnosed him with a contusion, per Gallegos, which suggests that Kurtz managed to escape the incident without suffering a fracture. Jeff McNeil entered the game as Kurtz's replacement at first base and would be the favorite to start if the latter needs to miss time.

Torkelson went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 10-9, extra-innings loss to the Orioles.

After the Tigers blew a 7-0 lead in what could end up being Tarik Skubal's final start for the team, Torkelson kept his squad alive by taking Rico Garcia deep in the 11th inning to tie the game at 9-9 before the O's eventually prevailed. It was Torkelson's 20th homer of the season and his fourth in 13 games since the All-Star break, a stretch in which he's batting .222 (10-for-45) with eight runs and 11 RBI.

The Royals placed Pasquantino on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to right wrist soreness.

Pasquantino will head to the IL for the second time this season due to an injury related to his right hand, as he previously underwent surgery June 14 to remove a fractured hamate bone. The 28-year-old doesn't appear to be dealing with as serious of an injury this time around, but he'll be unavailable until at least Aug. 8 while he waits for his wrist to heal. Salvador Perez and Jac Caglianone will likely serve as the main replacements at first base for Pasquantino in the short term, and Nick Loftin could become an option at the position when third baseman Maikel Garcia (hand) completes his rehab assignment and returns from the 10-day IL.

Pasquantino (hand) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins.

Pasquantino was lifted in the ninth inning of Tuesday's 3-2 loss after dealing with soreness in his right hand, the same one he had surgery on in mid-June to address a hamate fracture. Per MLB.com, the Royals planned to evaluate Pasquantino further Wednesday, but it's not yet clear if he'll need to miss more than one start. Salvador Perez will fill in for Pasquantino at first base.

Guerrero (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Nationals.

Guerrero exited Tuesday's 8-6 loss in the fourth inning due to right hamstring tightness, and with the Blue Jays wrapping up their series in Washington with a day game after a night game, it's no surprise he'll be on the bench. On a positive note, manager John Schneider told Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca that Guerrero is "feeling better" compared to Tuesday and is "probably available to pinch hit," if needed. With a team off day looming Thursday, the Blue Jays may prefer to stay away from Guerrero on Wednesday with the hope that he's ready to return to the lineup in Friday's series opener against the Cardinals.

Guerrero (hamstring) is unlikely to play Wednesday against the Nationals, Ian Quillen of MLB.com reports.

The Blue Jays have a scheduled day off Thursday, so Guerrero would get extra time to recover from the right hamstring tightness that caused him to exit Tuesday's loss in the fourth inning. The fact that Toronto is well out of the playoff picture provides less incentive to rush him back into the lineup as well. Kazuma Okamoto, who came off the bench to replace Guerrero on Tuesday, could slide across the diamond to fill in for him again Wednesday.

Manzardo started at first base and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a grand slam in a 6-5 win in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Reds. He went 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter in the nightcap.

Manzardo belted his 12th homer of the season and first career grand slam in the first inning, and it nearly didn't happen. A call that he'd been hit by a pitch was overturned on review prior to Manzardo going deep. It turned out to be the key contribution in Cleveland snapping a five-game losing streak. The slumping first baseman entered the day with a .154 average (4-for-26) and 12 strikeouts since the break and is batting just .210 for the season. With the team in the hunt for a division title or wild-card playoff spot, it may scour the market for a first baseman; Guardians first basemen are hitting a league-low .194 with 13 homers (t-23rd) and 45 RBI (27th).