MLB lineups for Thursday, May 18: Wander Franco, Yandy Diaz both out for Rays

It’s a very light slate of games on Thursday, May 18, with just six matchups on tap as most teams travel ahead of their weekend series. Still, there’s a lot to keep track of — will Vladimir Guerrero Jr. return to the Toronto Blue Jays lineup? — and the daily lineup report is here to help you set your fantasy and DFS lineups with confidence.

MLB starting lineups: Thursday, May 18

Los Angeles Angels vs. Baltimore Orioles, 12:35 p.m. ET

The Angels are shaking things up a bit, as Mickey Moniak returns to the leadoff spot and takes Taylor Ward’s place in left field while Hunter Renfroe starts in right and Shohei Ohtani serves as the DH. The infield is a bit different: Gio Urshela sits, with Luis Rengifo manning third, Brandon Drury at first and Livan Soto making his first start of the season at second.

Cedric Mullins sits and Adley Rutschman will get a day at DH against a lefty as James McCann gets a start behind the dish and Ryan McKenna mans center field. Jorge Mateo returns to the lineup at short with Joey Ortiz sliding over to second in lieu of Adam Frazier.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Mets, 1:10 p.m. ET

No Yandy Diaz or Wander Franco for Tampa today, as Taylor Walls fills in at short and Luke Raley gets a start at first. Harold Ramirez will serve as the DH while Josh Lowe leads off again and takes right field.

A day after hitting a dramatic, game-tying homer in his season debut, top prospect Mark Vientos is out of the lineup. Daniel Vogelbach will serve as the DH with Brett Baty at third base, Tommy Pham in left and Eduardo Escobar at second.

Washington Nationals vs. Miami Marlins, 1:10 p.m. ET

Luis Garcia slides up into the leadoff spot while Jake Alu gets a start in left over Stone Garrett and Corey Dickerson serves as the DH.

Jean Segura moves to the leadoff spot with Joey Wendle getting a start at short and Peyton Burdick and Xavier Edwards manning right and center, respectively.

Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox, 2:10 p.m. ET

Still no Josh Naylor or Jose Ramirez for Cleveland, with Gabriel Arias sliding over to first base and rookie Brayan Rocchio manning third.

Chicago is stacking righties against lefty Logan Allen, with Jake Burger moving to the cleanup spot and starting for Yoan Moncada at third base while Hanser Alberto gets the nod at second. Yasmani Grandal will DH as he battles a hamstring injury.

New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 7:07 p.m. ET

Gleyber Torres continues to lead off for New York, while Aaron Judge gets a day as the DH and Oswaldo Cabrera shifts out to right field with Aaron Hicks in left.

Still no Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for Toronto, as Brandon Belt gets another start at first while Alejandro Kirk serves as the DH.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 7:45 p.m. ET

Mookie Betts moves back out to right field as Miguel Vargas slides over to second, Miguel Rojas gets another start at short and J.D. Martinez serves as the DH.

Nnolan Gorman gets a rare start at third base with Nolan Arenado as the DH. The outfield is in flux with Dylan Carlson and Tyler O’Neill both on the IL, as Tommy Edman will start in right and the newly recalled Oscar Mercado gets the nod in left.