MLB Player News

Dingler is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Atlanta.

Dingler started at catcher in the first two games of the series, so he'll get a breather for Thursday's matinee. Jake Rogers is behind the dish and batting ninth as the Tigers try to avoid the sweep.

Barger will run the bases Thursday for the first time since injuring both his ankles on an awkward landing at first base April 5, and if that goes well he could begin a rehab assignment this weekend, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

A return to the lineup next week remains firmly on the table for Barger. The 26-year-old had gotten off to a slow start, going 1-for-19 (.053) through eight games before getting injured, so the organization may not rush him back from the rehab stint in order to give him a chance to find his timing at the plate. Once he's activated from the IL, Barger should reclaim his starting role against right-handed pitching in right field.

The Orioles recalled Espada from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

Espada will serve as the 27th man for the Orioles during their doubleheader Thursday versus the Astros. The 29-year-old hasn't been particularly sharp with Norfolk in the early going, allowing seven runs (six earned) with a 7:9 K:BB over 10 frames. Espada will likely be sent back down after Thursday's games.

The Astros recalled Alexander from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday.

Alexander will serve as the 27th man during Thursday's doubleheader against the Orioles. The right-hander has collected a 4.97 ERA and 20:10 K:BB over 29 innings covering six starts with Sugar Land this season. He will give the bullpen length Thursday before likely returning to the minors after the twin bill.

Jung went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Yankees.

Jung's two-run single in the fifth inning was all the Rangers needed and extended a hit streak to nine games, during which he's 12-for-32 with six extra-base hits (two home runs) and nine RBI. It continued an impressive resurrection of the third baseman's bat. Since going 4-for-29 (.138) with one RBI over the first eight games, Jung has slashed .389/.458/.708 with 15 extra-base hits (four home runs), 16 RBI and 11 runs over the next 20 contests. That stretch has also earned him a higher placement in the order; Jung served as the No. 2 hitter the last three games.

The Astros activated Bolton (back) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Bolton had been on the shelf since mid-April with mid-back inflammation, but he was cleared to join the big club ahead of Thursday's doubleheader with the Orioles after making a two-inning rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land over the weekend. Though he had made starts in his last two appearances with Houston prior to landing on the IL, Bolton will likely slot into the bullpen for the time being and operate as a multi-inning option.

The Astros placed Weiss on the paternity list Thursday.

Weiss will be away from the team for 1-to-3 days while welcoming a new addition to the family. Cody Bolton (back) has been activated from the injured list and will replace Weiss on the active roster.

Duran started at second base and went 2-for-2 with a walk, a double and two runs scored in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Yankees.

Duran got the start in place of primary second baseman Josh Smith, who got the first of a "couple of days off," per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Smith is scuffling with a slash line of .193/.306/.217 through 98 plate appearances. Meanwhile, Duran has been a useful fill-in at multiple positions and slashed .288/.354/.424 over 65 plate appearances.

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 8-1 loss to the Blue Jays.

Contreras' first-inning blast off Eric Lauer, his seventh homer this season, proved to be all the offense the Red Sox could muster Wednesday. Contreras has been one of Boston's few bright spots early this year -- he's gone 7-for-19 (.368) with three homers and a 1.330 OPS in his last five games, boosting his slash line to .262/.375/.486 with 20 RBI and 16 runs scored through his first 128 plate appearances.

Haggerty entered Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Yankees as a pinch runner, stayed in the game, and then went 1-for-1 with an RBI.

Haggerty replaced Brandon Nimmo (hamstring) and stayed in to play left field. Nimmo is expected to undergo testing, the results of which will inform Haggerty's role going forward. He hasn't played much in 2026, starting six times with just 25 at-bats over 18 games played.