MLB Player News

The Brewers placed Vaughn on the 10-day injured list Friday due to an illness, retroactive to Tuesday.

Vaughn's move to the IL will make him unavailable for the rest of the regular season, but he will be eligible to return from the injured list before the Brewers begin their postseason run in the NLDS on Oct. 3. The 28-year-old enjoyed the most efficient campaign of his career this year despite hitting a career-low six homers, slashing .306/.390/.444 with 43 RBI and 33 runs over 331 plate appearances. Brandon Lockridge was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Stowers is not in the lineup for Friday's game against Atlanta.

Atlanta is going with a lefty opener in Ray Kerr, so the left-handed-hitting Stowers will retreat to the bench for the second day in a row. He came off the bench as a pinch hitter in Thursday's tilt versus the Cubs and is a candidate to enter mid-game again. Deyvison De Los Santos will cover first base, and Agustin Ramirez will slot in at designated hitter for Miami.

Busch went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Red Sox.

Busch helped lead Chicago's offense in the first game of Friday's twin bill but didn't get enough support in an eventual 4-3 loss. The Chicago first baseman has three multi-hit performances over his last six games, which has pushed his season batting average up to .241 to go along with a .748 OPS. Busch remains limited against left-handed pitchers, and the Cubs will likely try to shield him from those matchups to some degree in the postseason, but he figures to be a lineup regular as they begin their march through the playoffs.

Burleson is out of the lineup for Friday's game in Milwaukee.

The lefty-swinging Burleson will get a breather as the Brewers send southpaw Robert Gasser to the bump. Leo Bernal is grabbing a start at first base for the Cardinals, and Pedro Pages will do the catching.

Walker went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Thursday's 7-5 win over the Athletics.

Walker has reclaimed some power this week, going yard twice over his last three games. He is 6-for-20 (.300) across his last five contests after a brutal 0-for-20 stretch from Sept. 11-18. The first baseman is batting .223 with a .710 OPS, 27 homers, 84 RBI, 69 runs scored, 25 doubles and one triple across 153 games this season.

Contreras (hand) expressed concern Thursday about his availability for Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series next week, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. "I'm working hard with the trainers, the hand is slowly getting better," Contreras said. "But I haven't been able to swing the last two days. I'll be honest with the team. I know Tuesday is a really important game. It's a really important series, and I'll be completely honest with the team."

Contreras swung a bat prior to Tuesday's series opener against Cleveland, but he was unable to repeat the exercise Wednesday or Thursday. Additional imaging was done Wednesday, which confirmed there is no fracture in Contreras' right hand, and the Red Sox are still holding out hope that Contreras will improve in the coming days. Boston is expected to face the division-rival Yankees in the first round of the playoffs.

Contreras (hand) still can't swing pain free and doesn't expect to play during Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Contreras was held out of the lineup for a sixth straight contest Thursday night against Cleveland, and he now appears to be set to miss at least two more games Friday. The first baseman is dealing with a bruised right hand, and there's a chance that he won't be able to return to action until the postseason.

Aranda isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Yankees, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

After going 1-for-8 with four strikeouts over the first three games of the series, Aranda will grab a seat on the bench to begin Thursday's finale. Ryan Vilade will fill in at first base and bat eighth.

Contreras (hand) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Guardians.

It marks the sixth straight absence for Contreras, who is working his way back from a bruised right hand. The Red Sox are considering the slugger day-to-day. Nick Sogard will slot in at first base in Contreras' stead on Thursday.

Vientos is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Rangers.

The Mets have faced two right-handers since Jared Young (concussion) got hurt. Vientos has been on the bench for both contests, so he remains stuck in a short-side platoon even as the Mets navigate injuries. Juan Soto will be the designated hitter and Nick Morabito will patrol left field for the Mets.