MLB Player News

Dunn was penciled in as the leadoff batter Sunday before weather postponed the game, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Dunn served as the leadoff batter in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, becoming the fifth different Red to hit atop the order since manager Terry Francona pulled the plug on the slumping TJ Friedl. "I don't think we have one right now," Francona said of his leadoff hitter Saturday. Dunn was a key contributor in the win Saturday night and is pushing for a role as the team's primary right fielder. This, after Noelvi Marte, Rece Hinds and Will Benson failed to take hold. Dunn has also played center field, as Friedl has been out of the starting lineup more (seven times) than in it (five) over the last 12 contests.

Mesa will start in right field and bat seventh in Monday's game versus the Orioles.

With Jonny DeLuca (hamstring) likely sidelined until after the All-star break, Mesa could get some run in right field against right-handed pitching. The 24-year-old has slashed .329/.420/.543 with two home runs and one stolen base over 18 contests at Triple-A Durham this season.

DeLuca is expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks after an MRI revealed a Grade 1 right hamstring strain, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Though the Grade 1 diagnosis is the least severe, the Rays nevertheless anticipate a lengthy absence for the outfielder. DeLuca had been serving as the Rays' primary right fielder of late, and in the two games since he got hurt, the club has used Ryan Vilade once (against a lefty) and Victor Mesa once (against a righty) at the position.

The Twins optioned Gonzalez to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Gonzalez was with the big club for its weekend series in Boston while Tristan Gray was on paternity leave. The rookie made one start and picked up his first major-league hit during his brief time in the majors, but with Gray back in the fold, Gonzalez will return to St. Paul.

Valdez is not in the lineup for Monday's contest against the Cubs.

Valdez started the first three games for the Pirates upon his promotion and launched his first career hit and home run in Sunday's win over the Blue Jays. However, he will begin Monday's festivities on the bench. Jhostynxon Garcia, Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds will patrol the outfield for Pittsburgh.

Frelick is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals.

The left-handed-hitting Frelick will receive a rare day off as the Cardinals send southpaw Matthew Liberatore to the hill. Blake Perkins is getting the call in right field in Frelick's stead.

Hernandez went 2-for-2 with a grand slam in Sunday's 4-0 win over the Mets.

The 26-year-old outfielder pinch hit for Owen Caissie in the seventh inning of a 0-0 tie and stayed in the game in left field, becoming the hero when he got hold of a Devin Williams changeup in the bottom of the ninth and sent it sailing 416 feet over the center-field fence. It was Hernandez's first career grand slam and his second homer of 2026, and since being called back up to the majors May 7 he's batting .280 (7-for-25) in sporadic action with two home runs, one steal, two runs and eight RBI. With Caissie struggling badly (42.0 percent strikeout rate and a .635 OPS in 46 games), Hernandez could carve out a bigger role if he keeps coming up big.

Suzuki is not in Monday's lineup against the Pirates.

Suzuki has gone 0-for-13 with a walk and three strikeouts in his last four games. Michael Conforto draws the start in right field while Moises Ballesteros gets the start at designated hitter.

The White Sox selected Nishida's contract from Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Nishida earned the promotion after slashing .323/.449/.384 with one home run and 15 stolen bases between Double-A Birmingham and Charlotte. The 25-year-old is starting in right field and batting ninth Monday versus the Twins in what will be his major-league debut.

The White Sox designated Kelenic for assignment Monday.

Kelenic got some regular run in right field with the White Sox but managed just a .226/.305/.321 batting line with a 33.9 percent strikeout rate over 19 contests. His spot on the 26-man and 40-man rosters is being absorbed by Rikuu Nishida.