MLB Player News

Burleson is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Athletics.

The Cardinals are facing a lefty in Jacob Lopez, so they'll take this opportunity to give the left-handed-hitting Burleson a rare day off. Jose Fermin will grab a start at first base and bat sixth for St. Louis.

Bolte started in center field and went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a walk in Wednesday's 6-2 victory over the Cardinals.

Bolte had an eventful big-league debut, tallying a pair of hits on groundballs to third base, one of which Nolan Gorman whiffed on in the second inning and the other being one Bolte legged out for an infield single in the fourth frame. Bolte's lone out was still a productive one, as he lifted a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning for his first career RBI while also extending the Athletics' lead. The 22-year-old's promotion to the majors Tuesday came on the heels of a blistering stretch with Triple-A Las Vegas, where he posted an 1.076 OPS with 12 homers, 28 RBI, 41 runs and 17 stolen bases across 37 appearances. One of the organization's top prospects, Bolte should receive his fair share of opportunities in Sacramento, particularly in center field and against left-handed pitching.

Bauers is on the bench for Thursday's matinee against the Padres.

Bauers went 1-for-4 with a double and two strikeouts in his start Wednesday against San Diego. The 30-year-old will come off the bench against the Padres despite San Diego starting right-hander Griffin Canning. Andrew Vaughn will bat fifth and start at first base today over Bauers.

Yelich (back) is out of the lineup Thursday against the Padres, his second consecutive absence, Hunter Baumgardt of Fox Sports 920 reports.

Yelich will continue to treat his sore back as he sits out another game against the Padres. The 34-year-old recently spent just under a month on the IL due to a groin issue, and he's now dealing with a different injury just one game after making his return. Yelich has a history of back problems, though it isn't clear if the current injury is related to his past issues. He should be considered day-to-day heading into Friday's series opener in Minnesota.

McCarthy is not in the lineup for Thursday's tilt in Pittsburgh.

The Pirates are going with a left-handed opener in Mason Montgomery before turning things over to a righty bulk reliever in Carmen Mlodzinski. McCarthy could enter mid-game once Mlodzinski comes in, but he'll begin the contest on the bench.

Soto (foot) will start at designated hitter and bat third in Thursday's game versus the Tigers.

Soto had to be pulled from Wednesday's contest after fouling a ball off his ankle, but X-rays came back negative and he will not have to miss a start. The 27-year-old has been scuffling at the plate in May, sporting just a .502 OPS with one home run and a 5:10 BB:K.

Vierling is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Mets.

Vierling had started each of the last nine games in center field, but he'll take a seat in Thursday's series finale. It will be Wenceel Perez handling center field and batting eighth as the Tigers look to avoid the sweep.

The Twins optioned Wallner to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Wallner has looked lost at the plate all season, slashing just .167/.259/.292 with a 39.3 percent strikeout rate. He had his second straight golden sombrero in Wednesday's loss to the Marlins, which was evidently the final straw. Austin Martin will likely be Minnesota's regular right fielder while Wallner works on his swing at St. Paul.

Lile went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Wednesday's 8-7 extra-inning win over the Reds.

The Louisville native is playing the first series of his career up Interstate 71 in Cincinnati, and he's putting on a show for his family and friends. After going yard twice Tuesday in the series opener, Lile added a third long ball Wednesday in timely fashion, as he took Tony Santillan deep in the top of the 10th inning to break open a 6-6 tie. Lile has hit safely in six straight games, a stretch in which he's batting .435 (10-for-23), and the surge has boosted his slash line on the season to .269/.333/.443 with six homers, three steals, 22 RBI and 27 runs in 42 contests.

Rafaela entered as a pinch hitter and belted a two-run home run in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Phillies.

Rafaela was held out of the starting lineup because interim manager Chad Tracy wanted Masataka Yoshida's left-handed bat against Philadelphia starter and right-hander Andrew Painter. Ironically, Rafaela was announced to pinch hit for Yoshida against a lefty in the sixth inning, but Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly countered with righty Orion Kerkering. Rafaela crushed a fastball for the first pinch-hit home run of his career and the game-winning hit. It was Rafaela's third homer to go along with nine RBI in his last seven contests.