MLB Player News

The Astros activated Paredes (personal) from the bereavement list Monday.

Paredes was away for the weekend series against the Athletics but is back in time for the start of the Astros' three-game series in Colorado. He's out of the lineup Monday, and given the Astros' glut of infielders, Paredes faces an uncertain playing-time outlook. The 27-year-old is sporting a .227/.346/.409 batting line and 2:6 BB:K across his first 26 plate appearances this season.

Westburg (elbow) will begin a throwing progression this week, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

It's a major step for the infielder, but there remains no timetable for Westburg's return from a right UCL sprain. He is already on the 60-day injured list and thus not eligible for activation until late May. Coby Mayo has been filling in as the Orioles' third baseman and will continue to do so while Westburg is shelved.

Crawford is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rangers.

After making his return from the injured list Friday, Crawford proceeded to start at shortstop in all three of the Mariners' games against the Angels over the weekend while going 1-for-10 with a double, three walks and a run scored. At least until the Mariners are ready to promote top prospect Colt Emerson (foot) to the big leagues, Crawford should have a fairly firm hold on the everyday shortstop gig, though the veteran will get a breather as Seattle opens its series in Arlington. Leo Rivas will slide over to shortstop Monday after covering third base Saturday and Sunday while Brendan Donovan tended to a groin injury.

Donovan (groin) will start at third base and bat leadoff in Monday's game against the Rangers.

Donovan was held out of the lineup for the final two games of the Mariners' weekend series versus the Angels due to a left groin injury, but a couple days of rest appears to be all he needed to move past the issue. Leo Rivas had manned third base Saturday and Sunday but will slide back over to shortstop while Donovan slots back in at the hot corner.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Kirk will undergo surgery Tuesday to repair his fractured left thumb, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Kirk landed on the 10-day injured list this past weekend after being diagnosed with a fracture, and a visit with Dr. Thomas Graham on Monday led to a recommendation of surgery. The fact that Kirk needed an operation to fix the fracture could lead to a longer absence, but a formal timetable for the catcher's return won't be known until after surgery is completed. According to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic, the typical timeline for players to return from thumb surgery ranges from 3-to-6 weeks.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Barger (ankles) is "trending in the right direction," but a stint on the injured list has not been ruled out, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Barger exited Sunday's 3-0 loss to the White Sox due to bilateral ankle discomfort. He's absent from Monday's lineup versus the Dodgers, but with southpaw Justin Wrobleski on the mound, it's unlikely the left-handed hitter would have started even if healthy. Tyler Fitzgerald is with the Blue Jays on the taxi squad for now, but he could be recalled to the active roster if Barger is unable to avoid the IL.

Jeffers is not in the lineup for Monday's tilt against the Tigers.

Victor Caratini will be behind the dish in Monday's series opener. Jeffers is off to a slow start offensively this season, going 4-for-24 without an RBI across his first seven contests. He'll get a day to regroup and should be back in the lineup Tuesday.

Clemens is absent from the lineup for Monday's tilt versus the Tigers.

It's the first time in five games against right-handed pitching this season that Clemens is not in the starting lineup. Josh Bell will handle first base, Byron Buxton will be the designated hitter and James Outman will grab a start in center field for the Twins.

Martinez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Royals, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Martinez had started in either corner-outfield spot in five of the past six games and went just 2-for-14 at the dish during that stretch while chipping in a stolen base and three runs. The switch-hitting Martinez should have a good chance at sticking in the lineup against left-handed pitching on a regular basis, but his window for earning steady at-bats versus righties may have closed after Chase DeLauter was able to quickly move past the left foot injury that kept him out of the starting nine for just one game.

Cook is likely sidelined through April with a hamstring injury, Sam Dykstra of MLB Pipeline reports.

The speedy lefty-hitting outfielder hasn't been assigned to an affiliate yet, as he's presumably waiting back in extended spring training in Florida while he recovers. Cook turns 23 in July, so he could get pushed to High-A Vancouver before season's end.