MLB Player News

Vierling went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Twins.

Batting second for just the second time this season, Vierling responded with his first multi-hit performance of the year. The veteran, who's managed to appear in only 28 games so far as he's dealt with a handful of injuries, has struggled to get his bat going. Despite some struggles at the plate, Vierling offers plenty of defensive versatility for Detroit, so he should continue to see ample playing time at a handful of positions. At the moment, he's primarily playing center field with Parker Meadows (quad) on the injured list.

O'Neill was removed from Tuesday's game against the Phillies with right wrist discomfort, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

O'Neill went 0-for-2 during Tuesday's game before his wrist forced him to exit during the sixth inning. The Orioles will likely provide more details on the severity of his injury once they get a closer look at him, but he can be considered day-to-day for the time being.

Simpson (finger) is starting in left field and batting leadoff Tuesday against the Angels.

The rookie outfielder hasn't seen the field since Thursday due to a sprained left index finger, but he's back atop the lineup Tuesday for Tampa Bay. Since being called back up by the Rays in late May, Simpson has a .311/.351/.368 slash line with four doubles, a triple, no homers, 13 steals, four RBI and 13 runs in 30 games.

Robles (shoulder) will start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma on Aug. 12, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Robles, who has been out since early April, is ready to make the next big step towards a return to action. Starting the rehab assignment Aug. 12 may place the outfielder ahead of schedule, but the Mariners are targeting 40-to-50 at-bats before he is activated off the injured list. The 28-year-old will likely get a mix of playing time in the outfield and as a designated hitter as he returns to game action in Triple-A Tacoma.

Raley (back) will begin a hitting progression Tuesday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Back spasms have kept Raley out of action since July 25, though he wasn't officially placed on the IL until July 30. Assuming his return to hitting goes smoothly, the plan is for him to begin a rehab assignment in the minors over the weekend before returning sometime next week.

Meadows (quad) has begun a running progression, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Meadows is just over a week removed from landing on the 10-day injured list with a right quad strain, so it's a good sign that he's already been cleared to run. It's still too soon to project when he might be able to return to the Tigers' active roster, however. Matt Vierling has been seeing most of the action in center field for Detroit since Meadows was injured.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Anthony (back) will return to the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals, Marcos Grunfeld of El Emergente reports.

Anthony is being held out of the lineup for a second straight day Tuesday due to mid-back tightness, but he is expected to return for Wednesday's series finale. Masataka Yoshida is getting a start in left field for the Red Sox on Tuesday.

Butler is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Nationals.

The left-handed-hitting Butler was out of the lineup Sunday against the Diamondbacks versus a lefty, and he's sitting again Tuesday as the Nationals send southpaw MacKenzie Gore to the bump. Dating back to June 26, Butler has started only one of his club's last six games against lefties. The 25-year-old is slashing just .174/.220/.349 with a 38.5 percent strikeout rate versus left-handers this season and now appears to be on the long side of a platoon. JJ Bleday is in center field, and Colby Thomas is in right field for the Athletics on Tuesday.

Rafaela is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Royals, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

The absence ends a run of 20 straight starts for Rafaela, who had a .280/.295/.413 slash line with two doubles, a triple, two homers and four steals during that stretch. Masataka Yoshida will receive a start in the outfield Tuesday while David Hamilton gets a turn at second base.

Loperfido went 3-for-6 with two runs scored and an RBI in Monday's win over the Rockies.

All three knocks were singles, but Loperfido still did his share of the damage in a 25-hit, 15-run barrage by the Blue Jays. It's his sixth multi-hit performance in the last 12 games, a stretch in which the 26-year-old is slashing .439/.477/.610 with a double, two homers, four RBI and eight runs. Toronto's outfield is getting crowded with Daulton Varsho back and George Springer (concussion) soon to follow, but Loperfido is making a strong case to maintain a significant role.