MLB Player News

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that Story (elbow) could be activated from the 60-day injured list to serve as a designated hitter before he's ready to play the field, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Though the outcome still appears somewhat unlikely, it's notable that Cora didn't outright dismiss the possibility of Story returning to action in a non-defensive role. Now just under five months removed from undergoing an internal bracing procedure on his right elbow, Story has been cleared to resume throwing from 105 feet out at the Red Sox's spring training complex in Florida, and he's also been taking batting practice in the cage. He'll rejoin the Red Sox next week as the organization maps out the next steps in his rehab program.

Mejia was activated from the temporarily inactive list with Single-A Palm Beach on Monday.

The 18-year-old switch hitter was given the rare assignment to Single-A on May 23 without ever playing in the Florida Complex League. Mejia had an .897 OPS in the Dominican Summer League last year and is the best teenage hitting prospect in the Cardinals' farm system.

The Astros plan to promote Kessinger from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Mark Berman of Fox 26 reports.

Kessinger was a second-round pick in 2019 and will be in line to make his major-league debut in the coming days. The 25-year-old began the 2023 campaign at Triple-A Sugar Land and slashed .284/.400/.443 with six homers, 37 runs, 32 RBI and two stolen bases. Kessinger's playing time will likely depend on whether Jose Altuve (oblique) is available for the start of the Astros' upcoming series in Toronto.

Mateo went 2-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 8-3 win over the Giants.

Mateo picked up his first multi-hit effort since April 27 in this contest. The steal was also his first in seven games, as he's had few opportunities to run after hitting just .128 in May. A strong start to the season has propped up his slash line at .234/.276/.389 for the year. He's at 16 steals, six home runs, 24 RBI and 31 runs scored, and with high-end speed, he should maintain some fantasy interest as long as he's the Orioles' starting shortstop.

Seager went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, one walk, two RBI and three runs scored in Sunday's 12-3 win over the Mariners.

This was Seager's fifth multi-hit effort in his last six games, a span in which he's gone 11-for-27 (.407) with five extra-base hits and 10 RBI. The shortstop's surge has him up to a .349/.405/.623 slash line, six homers, 29 RBI, 21 runs scored and 11 doubles through 27 contests. He's positioned to keep putting up big numbers as the No. 2 hitter for the best offense in the majors.

Romero (back) could soon play rehab games in the Florida Complex League, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Romero has been sidelined all season due to a back issue, which Red Sox director of player development Brian Abraham described as lower back stiffness. "He is in a full baseball progression -- swinging/fielding daily in Fort Myers," Abraham said. "We are hopeful he will get in games later this month -- the FCL season starts June 5." Once Romero is ready, he'll head to Single-A Salem.

Baez went 0-for-3 with a walk and two stolen bases in Sunday's 6-2 loss to the White Sox.

Baez represented just one of five baserunners for the Tigers, and while he was able to swipe second and third base, he was left stranded in the sixth inning. The shortstop hadn't attempted a steal since a successful theft May 9. He's now at five steals this season while slashing .223/.270/.313 with three home runs, 27 RBI and 20 runs scored through 54 contests. His bat has been trending in the wrong direction lately, as he's gone hitless in five of his last eight games.

Hamilton was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, retroactive to June 2, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Hamilton will be sidelined for at least the next week, but the Red Sox don't expect him to face a lengthy absence. The 25-year-old is performing well in his first taste of the Triple-A level this year with a .267/.344/.524 slash line, 11 homers and 26 stolen bases in 47 games.

Rojas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Rojas is 4-for-12 with a double, two stolen bases and three RBI in the past three games but will take a seat for Sunday's series finale. Chris Taylor will start at shortstop and bat eighth against New York righty Domingo German.

Duran is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners while managing some "tightness," but his absence appears to be mostly precautionary, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The Rangers haven't clarified whether Duran's tightness is related to the mild right oblique discomfort that briefly kept him on the injured list until he was activated Saturday. He picked up a start in left field in Saturday's 16-6 win, going 1-for-1 with two walks and two runs before he was lifted from the game in the top of the seventh inning with Texas leading by seven runs. Duran should still be viewed as day-to-day, but he appears likely to be back in the lineup for Monday's series opener with the Cardinals.