MLB Player News

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy told reporters Wednesday that Casas (abdomen/knee) is close to being cleared to swing a bat, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

"Obviously the knee's OK. We're just still doing rotational stuff for the side and I think [Casas is] getting closer to maybe starting some light swinging progression," Tracy relayed before Boston's game against Atlanta on Wednesday. Casas underwent surgery in May 2025 to repair a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee and suffered a setback in his recovery program in the form of an intercostal strain on his left side in early April. The Red Sox should have a better sense of when Casas would be ready to embark on a rehab assignment once he progresses to additional baseball activities, such as live batting practice.

The Angels placed Schanuel on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with left ankle inflammation.

Schanuel hasn't played since Saturday due to what had been described as a calf injury. It turns out the issue is more focused on his ankle, and it will knock him out of commission at least until early June. Vaughn Grissom should continue to handle reps at first base while Schanuel is shelved.

France is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

After striking out in all four of his at-bats in Tuesday's 4-3 loss, France will get a chance to clear his head in the series finale. France had been included in the lineup at first base in each of the Friars' previous four games, with three of those starts coming against right-handed pitching. He looks like he may have the edge over Nick Castellanos for the final opening in San Diego's everyday lineup until the team gets Jake Cronenworth (concussion) back from the 7-day injured list.

Guerrero (elbow) will start at first base and bat second in Wednesday's game versus the Marlins.

Guerrero missed the last two contests with a right elbow contusion, but he's improved enough to give it a go in Wednesday's series finale. The slugger has had a rough May, as he will enter action Wednesday having slashed only .187/.312/.227 this month.

Mead will start at third base and bat third in Wednesday's game against the Guardians.

Though he's mainly been used in the short side of a platoon at first base with Luis Garcia this season, Mead has now drawn his last seven starts at the hot corner and looks to have emerged as the preferred option at the position following Brady House's recent demotion to Triple-A Rochester. The Nationals will include Mead in the starting nine for a second straight matchup versus a right-hander (Gavin Williams), after the 25-year-old slugged home runs off righties Tanner Bibee and Matt Festa during Monday's series opener in Cleveland. Altogether, Mead is slashing .235/.355/.479 with seven home runs, three steals, 20 RBI and 22 runs in 141 plate appearances on the season, and he could be worthy of a pickup in fantasy leagues where he's available now that he's seemingly moved into a near-everyday role.

Murakami went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Tuesday's extra-innings loss to the Twins.

Murakami blasted his 19th homer of the season with a rocket to right, and he ranks second in the majors in that category, trailing only Kyle Schwarber. The power is real for Murakami, who has an outstanding .313 ISO and .917 OPS in 54 games this season. He's the definition of a three-true-outcomes hitter, as he also has 77 strikeouts and 41 walks across 235 plate appearances. He's either homered, struck out or walked in nearly 59 percent of his plate appearances this season.

Aranda went 3-for-4 with an RBI in Tuesday's 6-1 loss to the Orioles.

The first baseman was the only Ray to have much success against former teammate Shane Baz, as Tampa Bay wound up with nine hits in total on the night. Aranda has hit safely in five straight games, and he's putting the finishing touches on an impressive May that's seen him slash .359/.436/.500 in 22 contests with five doubles, two homers, 12 runs and 16 RBI.

Polanco (Achilles) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton on Wednesday, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

Polanco has been cleared to return to game action after being sidelined since mid-April with a right wrist contusion and left Achilles bursitis. It's the Achilles issue that Polanco has had trouble overcoming, and he will likely have to manage the injury the rest of the season. Polanco will probably require a handful of rehab games before rejoining the active roster in early June. When he does return, he's slated to see the bulk of his playing time at designated hitter.

Vargas went 1-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 7-5 win over San Francisco.

Vargas had a couple of productive outs that knocked in runs. He's been in a significant slump the last two weeks -- Tuesday's eighth-inning double snapped an 0-for-22 run -- but Vargas continues to lead the team with 34 RBI. The 34-year-old infielder is slashing .303/.332/.486 over 194 plate appearances.

Fernandez entered Tuesday's game in the seventh inning after Nolan Arenado was removed due to a groin injury. Fernandez was hitless in his lone at-bat in a 7-5 win over the Giants.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo downplayed Arenado's injury to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports following the game and indicated there were no plans to have Arenado undergo imaging. Arenado is considered day-to-day, and Fernandez is likely to fill in at third base if needed.