MLB Player News

Diaz is not part of the starting lineup Saturday versus the Orioles.

This will be Diaz's first day off since Aug. 10, as he's been working as Houston's DH on days when he doesn't start behind the plate. He's done fine with a .279 batting average, two homers and five RBI in the 11 games since his last day out of the lineup, so his absence Saturday seems to be simply a rest day. Victor Caratini is behind the plate for the Astros on Saturday, while Jose Altuve is getting a turn at DH.

Smith isn't in the starting lineup against Baltimore on Saturday.

Smith is sitting for the third time in Houston's past seven games, with all three of the absences coming against right-handers. The rookie has hit a rough patch at the plate, hitting a paltry .048 (1-for-21) over his past eight contests. With Smith out of the lineup Saturday, Jesus Sanchez is starting in right field for the Astros.

Sousa has been diagnosed with a "low-grade elbow flexor/pronator strain" and will not throw for at least two weeks, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Sousa landed on the injured list Friday and underwent an MRI, the results of which revealed the flexor/pronator strain. The southpaw will be evaluated in early September, and he's expected to be sidelined from any throwing for a minimum of two weeks. This is a big blow to Houston's bullpen, as Sousa has excelled with a 2.84 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 59:15 K:BB over 50.2 innings while notching four saves and eight holds across 44 appearances.

The Astros designated Dubin for assignment Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Dubin has had an injury-plagued campaign, as he's dealt with separate shoulder, ankle and forearm issues at points this season. The right-hander has struggled during his time with Houston, posting a 5.61 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 21:8 K:BB over 25.2 innings. AJ Blubaugh was called up from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move, but perhaps the more important aspect of Dubin being DFA'd is that it opens up a spot on the Astros' 40-man roster. That spot will likely go to Yordan Alvarez (hand), who is close to being activated from the 60-day IL.

Houston recalled Blubaugh from Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Blubaugh has made two big-league appearances (one of which was a start) totaling nine innings so far in his debut MLB campaign, giving up four runs on eight hits with an 11:2 K:BB. His numbers haven't been great at Sugar Land, as he's registered a 5.27 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 101: 58 K:BB across 99 frames, but the Astros will look to the right-hander for some pitching depth while he's up with the team. The Astros don't have an immediate opening in their rotation, and Luis Garcia (elbow) is nearing a return from the injured list, so Blubaugh figures to work as a long reliever with the big-league club.

Semien (foot) is slated to meet with a foot doctor Sunday and will not play Saturday, Matthew Postins of SI.com reports.

Semien hasn't played since being removed from Thursday's contest against Kansas City a few innings after fouling a ball off his foot. The veteran infielder has so far had an X-Ray, CAT scan and MRI, with results of the latter coming back inconclusive. Semien's medical evaluation should provide more clarity about the specifics of his injury and a return timeline. It's unlikely that he'll play in any capacity this weekend.

Tauchman is not in the starting lineup against Minnesota on Saturday.

Tauchman had started seven straight games, either in right field or at DH, going 7-for-29 with three RBI and three runs over that stretch. The White Sox are starting Michael Taylor in right and Andrew Benintendi at designated hitter Saturday.

Perez isn't in the starting lineup Saturday against Kansas City, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Perez will have at least a partial off day after starting in seven straight games and going 8-for-26 with a home run, two RBI, four runs and a stolen base over that span. The Tigers' outfield from left to right will consist of Riley Greene, Javier Baez and Kerry Carpenter on Saturday.

Lauer is expected to start Wednesday's game against Minnesota in Toronto, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

With Shane Bieber returning from the 60-day injured list to make his Toronto debut Friday, manager John Schneider indicated Lauer would be moving to a relief role. While Schneider told Mae that Lauer will still be available for a brief appearance out of the bullpen in Saturday's game in Miami, the Blue Jays still plan to have the lefty start at least one more time Wednesday in order to give Bieber extra rest between outings. It's not yet clear if Lauer will handle a full workload in his start next week, nor is it known whether Toronto will opt for a six-man rotation for any additional amount of time as Bieber gets back into a groove as he settles back in following his April 2024 Tommy John surgery.

Bieber is scheduled to make his next start next Friday against the Brewers, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Bieber was excellent in his Toronto debut Friday, allowing one run on two hits and no walks with nine strikeouts over six innings. Though his next turn would ordinarily come up Wednesday against Minnesota, he'll instead take the mound against Milwaukee after a team off day Thursday, as manager John Schneider wants to give the hurler extra rest, per Mae. Eric Lauer will start Wednesday in what could be his final turn in the rotation.