MLB starting lineup news, injury report for Saturday, July 24th

Major League Baseball is back with a full slate of action on Saturday, July 24th. There will be three nationally televised games on the slate. FS1 will be broadcasting Yankees-Red Sox at 4:05 p.m. ET and Rays-Indians at 7:10 p.m. ESPN+ will broadcast A’s-Mariners at 10:10 p.m.

Nelson Cruz made his Rays debut Friday night and hit a home run to give the Rays offense the kind of boost it was hoping for when they traded for him on Thursday. He was 1-for-4 with the home run and two runs scored. Prior to Cruz’s debut, the Rays dealt away starting pitcher Rich Hill to the Mets.

The trade deadline is one week away, which means scouts are especially busy getting final information before teams pull the trigger any deadline deals. Jon Heyman is reporting the Mets, Phillies, and Blue Jays have all sent scouts to Chicago to scout Cubs-Diamondbacks. Scouts are everywhere, but it’s notable with Kris Bryant, Eduardo Escobar, and Zach Davies all potentially on the block for the struggling Cubs.

MLB lineup and injury news — Saturday, July 24th

Gary Sanchez dealing with back spasms

The New York Yankees catcher was forced to leave Friday’s loss to the Boston Red Sox early and it could mean he sits on Saturday. Chances are Sanchez will miss at least one game over the weekend to wrap up the series.

Cody Bellinger day-to-day with hamstring injury

Bellinger left Friday’s game with hamstring tightness and Dave Roberts told the media he’ll sit out Saturday’s game, per Kirsten Watson. In 42 games, he’s hitting .162 with 4 home runs and 20 RBIs.

Blue Jays activate Breyvic Valera from bereavement list

The team called him up on the 18th and put him on the bereavement list a day later. He slashed .313/.406/.460 at Triple-A Buffalo.