MLB Player News

Bazzana batted leadoff and went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a triple and a stolen base in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Rangers.

Bazzana, who returned to leadoff after a one-game sojourn to cleanup, belted his first career leadoff homer to give Cleveland an early lead. It was his fourth home run in 34 games. He later hit his first triple and stole his ninth base. It didn't take long for Bazzana to adapt to MLB pitching; after going 0-for-12 to begin his career in the majors, he's slashed .319/.381/.522 across his next 113 plate appearances.

Wetherholt (groin) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game versus the Reds, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Groin soreness has kept Wetherholt out of the lineup for both of the Cardinals' last two games, and he'll sit out again Saturday while Bryan Torres picks up a start at the keystone. The Cards don't anticipate Wetherholt moving to the injured list, so he'll likely return to action within the next couple of days.

Arroyo isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against St. Louis.

Arroyo will take a seat Saturday after going 2-for-10 with two walks and six strikeouts across his first four games as an MLB player. Spencer Steer will start at second base in Arroyo's stead, and Noelvi Marte will enter the starting nine as Cincinnati's right fielder.

McLain is not in the lineup for Friday's game in St. Louis.

McLain is just 3-for-34 at the dish over his last 11 contests to drop his season batting line to .198/.296/.322. He'll get a day to regroup while Edwin Arroyo handles shortstop for the Reds in Friday's series opener.

Wetherholt (lower body) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds.

Wetherholt sat out Wednesday's game with lower-body soreness. It was expected that he would return to action Friday following the Cardinals' team off day Thursday, but the rookie infielder needs a bit more time. Bryan Torres will start at second base for St. Louis.

The Astros activated Altuve (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Altuve last played May 16 and didn't require a minor-league rehab assignment after suffering a Grade 2 left oblique strain last month. In 42 games this season, Altuve is slashing .245/.326/.380 with four home runs, 12 RBI, 27 runs scored, one stolen base and a 19:35 BB:K across 185 trips to the plate. His .706 OPS is the lowest it's been since the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

Mayer is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Yankees, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

With lefty Ryan Weathers on the mound for New York, Mayer is getting the night off from the starting nine, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa is making the start at shortstop and batting sixth. Mayer is slashing an underwhelming .222/.283/.296 with two homers, 14 RBI, 16 runs scored, three stolen bases and a 12:32 BB:K across 181 plate appearances this season.

McKinstry is starting in center field and batting eighth Friday against the Mariners.

It will be McKinstry's first action in center field since the 2023 season. The utility man has played second base, third base, shortstop and right field this season, and his positional versatility keeps him on the lineup card more often that not. McKinstry is in the midst of a 1-for-26 skid at the plate, however, and is slashing just .158/.246/.211 with one homer, nine RBI, two runs scored, one stolen base and a 14:23 BB:K across 132 plate appearances this season.

Massey went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 8-6 win over the Twins.

Massey got in on the offensive action with a single in the second inning before going yard to open the fourth frame. It marked his third homer over the past five games, during which the second baseman has hit safely and driven in at least one run in each contest. Across 47 contests in 2026, Massey is slashing .266/.287/.477 with six homers, nine doubles, 20 RBI, 16 runs and a stolen base.

The Rangers optioned Freeman to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Freeman had been promoted earlier this week but will head back to the minors after picking up one hit in two plate appearances. He's clearing out to make space on the roster for the return of Corey Seager (back).