MLB Player News

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol told reporters Saturday that Jimenez (abdomen) could return as soon as Sunday against the Tigers.

Jimenez has been out since the start of May following an emergency appendectomy. If the slugger doesn't return Sunday, it seems likely that he'll be back as the starting designated hitter for the White Sox in the early part of next week.

Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters Friday that Brantley (shoulder) has been swinging a bat but hasn't resumed hitting yet, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Brantley has been shut down since May 12 after it was revealed he was dealing with inflammation in his surgically repaired right shoulder. Because of the length of his absence, it seems plausible the veteran will need another rehab assignment. At this point it would be a surprise if Brantley is back in the lineup for Houston before the start of June.

Stanton (hamstring) took on-field batting practice against a pitching machine Friday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Stanton is on track to begin a minor-league rehab assignment early next week and could return to the Yankees' active roster during their three-game weekend series at Dodger Stadium that runs from June 2-4. The 33-year-old slugger had four home runs and 11 RBI through 13 games with New York when he suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain in mid-April.

Ramirez isn't in Tampa Bay's lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Ramirez has been great at the plate all season but is currently in the middle of an 0-for-12 stretch across his last three games. He'll get the day off to regroup while Josh Lowe fills in as the Rays' DH, allowing Luke Raley to start in right field and bat eighth.

Manager Aaron Boone said Thursday he's hoping Stanton (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment early next week, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Stanton was expected to begin a rehab assignment this weekend, though he isn't quite ready to take the final step in his recovery. At this point, his timeline to return appears to have been pushed back by only a few days.

Ohtani went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's victory over the Red Sox.

Ohtani clubbed a 420-foot homer in the third inning for his only hit of the night. He is on pace for his third straight season of 30 home runs or more. Ohtani has been remarkably consistent this season and is on pace to top 90 runs and 90 RBI.

Rooker is not in the starting lineup Wednesday at Seattle.

Rooker has pretty much been carrying the A's offense all year and will grab some well-earned rest in the third game of this four-game set against the Mariners. He's sitting on a .919 OPS with 11 home runs and 32 RBI through 43 games.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Stanton (hamstring) will undergo imaging Thursday and could be cleared to begin a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Boone noted that Stanton will see action in the outfield in addition to designated hitter while he's on his rehab assignment. Assuming Stanton does gain clearance to head to a minor-league affiliate this weekend, he could be ready to return from the 10-day injured list in advance of the Yankees' series with the Dodgers the following weekend. Stanton has been on the shelf since mid-April with a strained left hamstring.

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

The lefty-hitting Belt will retreat to the bench while the Rays bring ace southpaw Shane McClanahan to the mound Wednesday. George Springer will get a day out of the outfield and will replace Belt as the Blue Jays' designated hitter.

Buxton went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and a stolen base in Tuesday's loss to the Giants.

Buxton got things started quickly with a two-run blast to center in the opening frame and then swiped his fifth bag of the year after reaching in the fourth. The 29-year-old has four multi-hit efforts over his last eight games and seems to be past the knee issue that cost him a game over the weekend. He's now slashing .238/.346/.494 with 10 homers, 23 RBI, 31 runs and a 25:52 BB:K over 188 plate appearances.