MLB Player News

Butler is not in the lineup for Monday's contest against the Tigers.

Butler has not been playing versus tougher left-handers, and Tarik Skubal -- who takes the ball for the Tigers in the series opener -- certainly qualifies. Colby Thomas is covering center field, and JJ Bleday will be in right field for the Athletics on Monday.

Canzone (wrist) remains out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Padres but is available off the bench, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Canzone said Monday that he received a cortisone shot in his left wrist a few days ago, which has helped his recovery. Though he'll be held out of the starting nine for a sixth straight contest, the left-handed-hitting Canzone's absence may have more to do with the fact that the Mariners are facing a lefty starter (JP Sears) rather than because of any lingering concern about the health of his wrist. Canzone has slashed .286/.379/.388 with one home run and five RBI in 58 plate appearances since Aug. 1.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that Abreu (calf) is not progressing as quickly as hoped, and the outfielder is unlikely to be activated from the 10-day injured list this week, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Abreu is eligible for reinstatement Thursday, but he's going to need more time to recover from his right calf strain. Cora indicated that a return for Abreu sometime next week is likely, but that will be contingent on the 26-year-old making strides with his recovery. Roman Anthony has been serving as the club's everyday right fielder since Abreu was placed on the IL on Aug. 21.

Beavers is not in the lineup for Monday's contest against the Red Sox.

Beavers started in each of the first eight games for the Orioles upon getting called up from Triple-A Norfolk on Aug. 16, but he will begin Monday's series opener on the bench. The Orioles faced all righties during those eight games and are going up against a left-handed opener in Brennan Bernardino on Monday, but the left-handed-hitting Beavers won't necessarily be deployed exclusively as a strong-side platoon player over the final five weeks of the season. Beavers will give up his spot in left field to Dylan Carlson on Monday.

Kayfus is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays.

With the Guardians facing right-handed starters in each of the last four games, the left-handed-hitting Kayfus was included in the lineup for all of those contests and went a collective 2-for-13 with a walk and a pair of extra-base hits. The rookie appears to have established himself as a strong-side platoon player at this point, but he still has work to do before earning a regular lineup spot versus lefties. He'll cede his spot in right field to Nolan Jones on Monday as the Rays send southpaw Ian Seymour to the hill.

The Royals optioned Rave to Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

Rave owns a middling .199/.286/.324 slash line over 156 plate appearances on the season and had been held out of the lineup in both of the Royals' last two matchups versus right-handed starting pitchers, so his demotion doesn't come as a major surprise. He'll cede his spot on the active roster to another left-handed hitter in Michael Massey (wrist), who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list.

Tauchman went 2-for-4 with two runs scored Sunday against the Twins.

Tauchman was back in the lineup and led off after missing Saturday's game with lower-body soreness. He singled in both the first and second innings and came around to score on each occasion. The performance also extended Tauchman's hitting streak to six games, during which he's recorded three RBI and five runs scored.

Smith went 0-for-3 with a walk, a run and a stolen base Sunday against the Orioles.

Smith has seen his playing time slip against right-handed pitching, though he was in the lineup Sunday with Trevor Rogers on the mound. While it was a peoductive day, Smith wasn't able to end his hitless streak, and he now has failed to tally a hit in five straight starts and seven of his last eight. Smith has had a streaky rookie season, and he could see his playing time continue to decline in the final month of the campaign.

Simpson went 2-for-3 with a two-RBI triple and a stolen base during Sunday's 7-2 win over St. Louis.

Simpson's third-inning steal of second base was his fourth pilfer in as many games, boosting his season total to 38 steals. The outfielder also logged his third triple of the campaign. Simpson has been on a tear at the plate lately, going 21-for-53 (.396) with six stolen bases and a 5:6 BB:K in his last 13 games.

Lowe went 1-for-3 with a single, a run scored and two stolen bases during Sunday's 7-2 win over the Cardinals.

Lowe's two steals tied his career high, a feat he had accomplished just two times before. The 26-year-old now has 16 steals on the campaign, and he's swiped a bag in three consecutive contests. In August, Lowe is 13-for-61 (.213) with five doubles, eight runs and eight stolen bases.