MLB Player News

Houston optioned Salazar to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

With Yainer Diaz and Victor Caratini at full health, Salazar is expendable. He'll lose his spot on the active roster in order for Zach Cole to have his contract selected. Salazar is 3-for-13 (.231) with a 2:2 BB:K in 11 big-league games this season.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora indicated Friday that he was not optimistic Fitts (arm) would return before the end of the season, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Fitts has been sidelined since late August with inflammation in his brachial plexus, which is a bundle of nerves that begin in the spinal cord and extends through the shoulder and arm. He has yet to resume throwing, and there's no indication he'll be cleared to do so anytime soon. If Fitts' season is indeed over, he'll finish with a 5.00 ERA and 40:16 K:BB over 45 innings covering 10 starts and one relief appearance.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Friday that Hicks (shoulder) could return before the end of the season, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Hicks landed on the 15-day injured list one week ago with right shoulder tendinitis. It's unclear whether he has resumed a throwing program, but it seems he's progressed enough in his recovery that his manager believes Hicks can rejoin the bullpen later this month. Hicks holds an 8.20 ERA and 15:12 K:BB over 18.2 innings during his time with the Red Sox.

The Astros selected Cole's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Cole's first MLB stint officially begins Friday, as the outfielder had his contract selected. The 25-year-old slashed .353/.459/.745 with five home runs and three stolen bases in 15 games with Sugar Land. With Yordan Alvarez, Jake Meyers and Jesus Sanchez healthy, Cole doesn't have a direct path to playing time.

Dingler is not in the lineup for Friday's contest in Miami.

Dingler will get a breather after catching each of the previous three games. Jake Rogers will be behind the plate and bat ninth for the Tigers.

Higashioka is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Mets.

Higashioka is out of the lineup for the second time in three games, yielding to Jonah Heim behind the dish for Friday's series opener. In his last 11 games, Higashioka is 10-for-40 with two home runs and three doubles.

Perez is absent from the lineup for Friday's game in Miami.

Perez had started each of the previous 16 tilts, but he will get a day off as the Tigers open a series against the Marlins. Kerry Carpenter will patrol right field for Detroit.

Meadows will start in center field and bat leadoff in Friday's game versus the Marlins.

It's the first time since June 14 that Meadows has occupied the leadoff spot. Each of his first five starts back from the injured list have come from the bottom-third of the lineup, but he's earned a move up by going 7-for-15 with two home runs and a 3:1 BB:K.

McKinstry (back) will start at third base and bat eighth in Friday's game against the Marlins.

McKinstry missed each of the previous three contests with a back issue, but he's ready to give it a go in Friday's series opener. With McKinstry handling third base, Colt Keith will be used in the designated-hitter slot.

India is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Phillies.

India made three straight starts after being activated from the injured list Tuesday, and he'll get a breather Friday. The second baseman went 3-for-10 with six strikeouts during those three starts. Michael Massey will play the keystone and bat seventh.