MLB Player News

Mesa is not in the Rays' starting lineup against the Astros on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Even with right-hander Spencer Arrighetti on the mound for the Astros, the lefty-hitting Mesa will be on the bench for Friday's series opener while Jonny DeLuca, Cedric Mullins and Chandler Simpson start in the outfield from left to right. Mesa is slashing .188/.282/.333 with one steal, three home runs and eight RBI across 79 plate appearances this season.

Jones (illness) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Twins.

Though Jones is out of the lineup for a second straight game, he appears to have recovered from the bout with food poisoning that kept him from starting in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Tigers in 11 innings. He was able to make an appearance off the bench, going 1-for-2 while playing three innings in center field. With the Yankees bringing Trent Grisham (hamstring) back from the injured list Friday, Jones could have difficulty finding regular playing time versus right-handed pitching. The rookie has slashed .233/.317/.370 with two home runs, one steal, seven RBI, six runs scored and a 9:34 BB:K across 82 plate appearances at the big-league level this season.

Buxton (hip) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Yankees.

Even after an off day Thursday, Buxton isn't ready to return to the starting lineup and will miss his fourth straight contest. Ryan Kreidler is manning center field again in his place and batting seventh against right-hander Gerrit Cole.

The Yankees activated Grisham (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Grisham hasn't played since June 12 due to a right hamstring strain but is ready to return to the lineup for this weekend's series with the Twins. The 29-year-old was swinging a hot bat at the time of his injury, as he slashed .361/.425/.556 with one homer, four RBI, seven runs scored and a 4:2 BB:K in 40 trips to the plate in June. Grisham has eight long balls and 35 RBI with a .747 OPS across 264 plate appearances in 2026.

Eaton will appeal the three-game suspension he received Thursday and will be eligible to play until the appeal process is completed, Evan Drellich of The Athletic reports.

MLB issued bans for Eaton and teammate Willson Contreras (seven games) along with Washington pitchers Cade Cavalli (seven games) and Miles Mikolas (five games) for their roles in a benches-clearing incident that occurred Tuesday. Eaton's suspension was set to begin Friday, but the utility player will remain active for the time being.

Carter went 2-for-2 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Thursday's 10-4 win over the Tigers.

Carter opened the game on the bench, which is usually the case when the Rangers face a left-hander, but he made an impact late with a pinch hit single in the seventh inning and then a homer an inning later. Since returning from the injured list, Carter is 4-for-11 with the one long ball and three additional runs scored over four contests.

Fry entered Thursday's game as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning and belted a solo home run in a 6-5 win over the White Sox.

Fry homered for the second time in as many games after delivering a three-run shot in a win over the Rangers a day earlier. Thursday's homer closed the Guardians' deficit to one run, setting up Brayan Rocchio's walk-off homer in the ninth. Fry finished the game in left field after pinch hitting for rookie Cooper Ingle, who committed his second outfield error in as many games. The rookie is just 1-for-14 with seven strikeouts since his call-up, which could lead to Fry getting more opportunities in the outfield.

X-rays on Robles' injured right forearm came back negative Thursday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Robles was hit by a 97.9-mph sinker from Walbert Urena in the bottom of the third inning and was replaced in the outfield in the top of the fifth. Robles was on in relief of an injured Julio Rodriguez, who left the game in the third frame after he was hit in the back of the helmet on a throw from Nolan Schanuel in the first inning. Weston Wilson finished the game in right field for Seattle, as Luke Raley kicked over to center field. Robles seems to have avoided a serious injury and should be considered day-to-day.

Rodriguez is in concussion protocol and will be reevaluated Friday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez was plunked in the back of the helmet by a throw from Nolan Schanuel in the bottom of the first inning and was removed from the game in the third frame. If he's eventually diagnosed with a concussion, Rodriguez could be looking at a stay on the 7-day injured list. With Victor Robles (forearm) also dealing with an injury Thursday, Weston Wilson finished the game in the outfield for Seattle.

Robles was removed from Thursday night's contest against the Angels in the fifth inning with a right forearm injury, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Robles took a 97.9-mph sinker from Walbert Urena off his right forearm in the bottom of the third inning and was later replaced in the outfield by Weston Wilson before the top of the fifth. Robles had already entered the game in place of Julio Rodriguez (head), and Seattle will now operate especially shorthanded for the remainder of the contest. More information on Robles' status will likely come following the conclusion of Thursday's series finale.