MLB Player News

Taveras will start in right field and bat seventh in Sunday's game against Atlanta.

Taveras will be included in the starting nine for the sixth time in seven games and appears to have temporarily reclaimed a near-everyday role with Blaze Alexander (hand) on the shelf. Since the All-Star break, Taveras has gone just 3-for-19 (.158) with a 29.2 percent strikeout rate, so he'll likely need to improve his production to strengthen his grip on a regular spot in the lineup.

Langford (ankle) will start in left field and bat second in Sunday's game against the Mariners.

Langford went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two runs and an RBI during Saturday's 7-1 win before being lifted from the game after fouling a pair of pitches off his ankle. Per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com, X-rays came back negative, and the swelling in his ankle apparently subsided enough overnight for the 24-year-old to give it a go Sunday.

Mesa is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians.

The left-handed hitter will hit the bench for the second time in the series, with both of his absences coming against lefty starters. Jonny DeLuca will get the call in right field in place of Mesa, who has produced a .265/.339/.592 slash line with five home runs, three stolen bases, eight runs and nine RBI through 17 games in July.

Halpin will start in center field and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Rays.

The recent return of Angel Martinez from the injured list has yet to cost Halpin playing time, as the 24-year-old will draw an eighth consecutive start Sunday. Halpin turned some heads with a two-homer performance in a July 20 win over the Twins, but he's cooled off since then with just one hit in 16 at-bats over his subsequent five starts.

Langford said Saturday that X-rays on his left ankle and foot came back negative, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Langford said ice has reduced the swelling, and he expects to play in Sunday's game against the Mariners. Players tend to be a bit more optimistic on their recovery timelines, but consider Langford day-to-day for now. The first-place Rangers can't afford to lose their star outfielder to another injury after he's already missed 52 of 104 games this season to various ailments.

Manager Skip Schumaker said Langford will undergo X-rays on his left ankle and foot after he was removed from Saturday's win over the Mariners in the top of the seventh inning, Matthew Postins of SI.com reports.

Langford fouled a pair of pitches off his left foot and ankle earlier in the contest and struck out to end the bottom of the sixth inning before being pulled on defense in the top of the seventh. Prior to leaving, Langford had a big night at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, one RBI and two runs scored. He's already missed time with quad, forearm and hamstring injuries this season and has had two stints on the injured list. When healthy, Langford has swung a hot bat, posting an .868 OPS with 12 homers and 29 RBI across 224 trips to the plate. Schumaker indicated Saturday that Langford is dealing with some swelling, according to Postins.

Manager Aaron Boone said Bellinger suffered a left hamstring injury in Saturday's win over the Phillies, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Bellinger will undergo further testing after he was injured legging out a double in the top of the eighth inning Saturday. At the time of his departure, Bellinger was 2-for-4 with the double and one RBI. He's currently on a six-game hitting streak and has recorded at least one base knock in 11 of his past 12 contests. Bellinger has a .770 OPS with 11 homers and 53 RBI on the season.

Bellinger left Saturday's game against the Phillies due to an apparent injury, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

After running out a double in the eighth inning, Bellinger appeared to hurt himself and was removed from the game in the bottom of the frame. Max Schuemann took over in left field for Bellinger, who should be considered day-to-day as he's evaluated.

DeLauter isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rays.

DeLauter will step out of the starting nine Saturday after going 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored during Friday's loss. His absence will put Travis Bazzana in the DH spot, opening up second base for Gabriel Arias.

Varsho went 3-for-4 in Friday's loss to the Red Sox.

It was the center fielder's first multi-hit performance since July 8. Varsho remains mired in a 24-game homer drought, and on the season he's managed just a .688 OPS with seven long balls in 91 contests, but his defensive reputation, power potential and free-agent status after this season will likely make him one of the Blue Jays' more attractive assets at the trade deadline.