MLB Player News

The Blue Jays are hoping to send Barger (elbow) on a rehab assignment next week, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Barger continues to progress in his recovery from right elbow inflammation that sent him to the 10-day injured list May 11. He is moving through his hitting program, and the goal is for Barger to start a rehab assignment over the coming week, which could have him back with the Blue Jays by late June.

The Astros selected Delgado's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday.

Delgado was acquired via trade from the Rays earlier this week and now has been added to the major-league roster. The infielder has slashed .250/.320/.362 with three homers and 24 steals this season at Triple-A Durham. Delgado will be making his major-league debut when/if he gets into a game.

Keith went 2-for-4 with a home run, an additional run scored and three total RBI in Thursday's 11-0 win over the Twins. He also stole a base.

Keith had an RBI single in the fourth inning, then went deep with a runner on in the sixth for his first home run of the season. The 24-year-old snapped a mini 0-for-8 slump over his previous three games, and he's now batting .262 with a .647 OPS across 63 contests this year. Keith is making good enough contact at the plate, though the limited power output has kept his OPS down so far.

Emerson (back) will start at shortstop and bat ninth in Thursday's contest in Baltimore.

Emerson was held out of the Mariners' lineup for each of the previous three contests as be battled back spasms, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go in Thursday's series finale. The rookie infielder is sporting an elevated 30.4 percent strikeout rate in his first 19 major-league games but has gone deep four times.

The Astros optioned Whitcomb to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Whitcomb homered in Wednesday's extra-innings loss to the Angels but finds himself back in the minors a day later. The Astros are off Thursday, so they will likely announce a corresponding roster move prior to Friday's game in Kansas City.

Garcia is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Rangers.

Garcia returned from a hamstring injury to start each of the previous four contests, but he'll grab a seat during Thursday's matinee. Nick Loftin will cover third base for the Royals.

Whitcomb went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Angels.

Whitcomb got the start at shortstop to give Jeremy Pena a rest day. Whitcomb had the Astros' lone hit against Angels starter Reid Detmers, a solo shot in the sixth inning. For the season, Whitcomb is batting just .130 with a .558 OPS, two homers, five RBI, two runs scored and a 1:11 BB:K over 24 plate appearances. He is expected to fill a utility role off the bench while up with the big club.

Lewis went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Tigers.

Lewis hit the second-longest home run (444 feet) of his career to left-center field in the second inning off of Framber Valdez. The 27-year-old Lewis has gone 4-for-15 with a home run and a double since returning to the big leagues after a brief stay with Triple-A St. Paul. The former top prospect slashed just .163/.261/.279 across his first 31 games of the year to earn the demotion, but he had a 1.303 OPS in 15 contests at Triple-A to secure a spot back on the MLB roster.

Muncy isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

Muncy has gone 1-for-8 with a walk, two RBI and a run scored in two games since returning from the injured list. He'll move to the bench to begin Wednesday's series finale, allowing Alika Williams to start at shortstop while batting ninth.

Guzman isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Guzman will retreat to the bench for Wednesday's series finale after going 0-for-10 with an RBI and two strikeouts through the first two games. Nick Madrigal will start at third base and bat sixth while Guzman sits.