MLB Player News

The Angels selected Walton's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

Both Walton and Wade Meckler are joining the Halos, with Yoan Moncada (knee) going to the 10-day injured list and Josh Lowe being sent down to Salt Lake. Walton turns 32 years old Monday and is a career .172/.223/.298 hitter with four home runs, 23 RBI and 21 runs scored across 214 big-league plate appearances. He's slashed .282/.429/.481 with seven long balls, 33 RBI, 33 runs scored, three stolen bases and a 32:21 BB:K across 168 trips to the plate at Triple-A this season. Walton is starting at third base and batting ninth Friday against the Rangers.

The Angels placed Moncada on the 10-day injured list Friday with a right knee injury, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Moncada said Thursday that he's been dealing with knee problems lately, which helps explain why he's been absent from the lineup for each of the Angels' last three games. He received an MRI on Friday, and although the team is still waiting for the results, they'll move him to the IL to ensure he has time to recover. Donovan Walton was selected to the active roster in a corresponding move and will start at third base Friday against Texas, though Vaughn Grissom could also be in the mix for reps at the hot corner until Moncada returns.

The Twins placed Gray on the paternity leave list Friday.

Gray could miss the full weekend series in Boston before rejoining the club early next week for a series against the White Sox. Ryan Kreidler, Orlando Arcia and Kody Clemens are options to pick up playing time while Gray is welcoming a new baby to the family.

Moncada isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Moncada is slashing just .191/.310/.300 through 129 plate appearances this season, and Thursday's game will be the third consecutive contest that he's begun on the bench. Vaughn Grissom will start at the hot corner while Moncada sits, and that may be the new norm for the Angels going forward.

Ramirez went 1-for-5 with a double and an RBI in Wednesday's 3-2 extra-inning win over Detroit.

Ramirez had done little through the first nine innings, but he showed up with a clutch hit in the extra frame. He doubled in what became the game-winning run. Ramirez is beginning to emerge from a season-opening slump; he's 10-for-23 with three doubles, two home runs and seven RBI over the last six games.

Jung went 3-for-4 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 5-4 win over Colorado.

Jung completed the Rangers' comeback in the top of the ninth inning, singling in the go-ahead run. It was his first RBI in 10 games and just the second over the last 17 contests. Jung, who entered May on a tear, has slumped the last couple of weeks and entered Wednesday with a .212 average over the previous 13 contests.

Moncada is not in the Angels' starting lineup against the Athletics on Wednesday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Moncada will open Wednesday's game on the bench while Vaughn Grissom starts at third base and Oswald Peraza gets the nod at the keystone. Moncada has gone 6-for-28 (.214) with one steal and one RBI since May 1.

Durbin is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals.

Durbin will hit the bench for a third straight matchup versus a right-handed pitcher and looks to have at least temporarily ceded primary duties at third base to Nick Sogard, who has covered the position in each of those three contests. After a promising rookie campaign in Milwaukee last year, Durbin has mustered a lowly .169/.248/.246 slash line with Boston in 2026. His .495 OPS places him last among the 174 players in the majors who have logged at least 150 plate appearances on the season.

Vargas could be available off the bench Wednesday in Seattle after X-rays on his hand came back negative, Brooke Fletcher of Chicago Sports Network reports.

Vargas was hit by a Luis Castillo offering in Tuesday's win over the Mariners. He was able to stay in that contest and has avoided a serious injury, but Vargas will get a day out of the lineup in Wednesday's series finale. The White Sox will start Colson Montgomery and Luisangel Acuna on the left side of their infield.

Vargas is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners.

Vargas will hit the bench for just the fourth time through the White Sox's first 49 games of the season in what appears to be a routine maintenance day. With Vargas taking a seat, Luisangel Acuna will pick up a start at shortstop, while Colson Montgomery slides over to Vargas' usual spot at third base.