MLB Player News

The Rangers are expected to option Freeman to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Freeman was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Monday and went 1-for-2 with a strikeout Wednesday in his first major-league action of the season. However, the Rangers are expected to create roster space for Corey Seager (back) and another player by sending Freeman and Alejandro Osuna down Friday.

The Royals transferred India (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Josh Rojas. India is out for the season after undergoing surgery in late April to repair the labrum in his left shoulder, so his move to the 60-day IL was inevitable.

The Royals selected Rojas' contract from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Rojas will receive another opportunity in the majors after slashing .246/.309/.433 with six home runs and a 16:32 BB:K over 48 games with Omaha. The 31-year-old will provide infield depth while Maikel Garcia (hamstring) is banged up, and Rojas is capable of handling the outfield, as well.

Loftin went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's win over the Reds.

Loftin provided some insurance with a line-drive, two-run shot in the top of the ninth inning to extend the Royals' lead to 5-2. It marked his first homer of the campaign and sixth career long ball across parts of four MLB seasons. The utility man is hitting just .218 and has primarily operated in a reserve role with 96 plate appearances to date, but Loftin could be in line for increased opportunities at third base if Maikel Garcia (hamstring) requires a stint on the injured list.

Gonzalez (shoulder) took batting practice at Fenway Park on Wednesday, WEEI reports.

It's the first time Gonzalez has hit on the field since he underwent arthroscopic left shoulder surgery in March. Though the Red Sox have not divulged a target date for Gonzalez's rehab assignment, it seems one could be around the corner.

Altuve (oblique) is slated to take live batting practice Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Altuve will face live pitching for the first time since he went down with a left oblique strain in mid-May. Astros manager Joe Espada previously indicated that Altuve might not need a rehab assignment prior to being activated, so his return to the Houston lineup appears imminent now that he's facing live pitching.

Torres went 3-for-5 with a double and three runs scored in Wednesday's 7-2 win over the Rays.

The second baseman has hit the ground running this week since returning from an oblique strain. In two games since coming off the IL, Torres has gone 4-for-9 with a double, a solo homer and four runs while hitting leadoff in both contests. He boasts a .764 OPS through 34 games this season, including what would be a career-high .396 OBP.

Manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Altuve (oblique) is expected to take live batting practice before the end of the week, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The veteran second baseman has been sidelined nearly three weeks due to an oblique strain but is progressing quickly through his rehab program. Espada previously indicated that Altuve may not require a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining the Astros, so facing live pitching could be the final hurdle before he's cleared to come off the injured list.

The Red Sox placed Sogard on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a right oblique strain, Chris Henrique of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

It's unclear how long the injury has been bothering Sogard, but he hasn't played since Saturday. Anthony Seigler is grabbing Sogard's spot on Boston's active roster, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa could see steadier playing time while Sogard is out.

McKinstry is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

McKinstry had started in each of Detroit's last three games, but he could be at risk of falling into more of a part-time role after the Tigers reinstated Gleyber Torres from the 10-day injured list Tuesday. Since the beginning of May, the Tigers rank 29th in the majors with a .287 wOBA, and McKinstry has played a major part in the team's offensive struggles. During that stretch, McKinstry is slashing just .127/.238/.141 over 86 plate appearances.