MLB Player News

The Royals scratched Perez from the lineup for Monday's game against the Rangers due to an illness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Perez was initially slated to catch and bat fifth in the series opener, but the veteran backstop was unexpectedly removed from the lineup about three hours before first pitch after apparently feeling under the weather. Luke Maile will step in behind the plate in place of Perez, who had started at either catcher, first base or designated hitter in each of Kansas City's last 43 games.

Mariners manager Dan Wilson said Monday that Miller (elbow) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday in Philadelphia, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander permitted two runs with four strikeouts over 5.2 innings in his most recent rehab start with Triple-A Tacoma last Wednesday, getting his pitch count up to 76. Miller -- who is returning from right elbow inflammation -- has bounced back well from that outing, officially clearing the way for him to rejoin the Mariners rotation. He will likely be limited to around 85-to-90 pitches against the Phillies.

The Astros announced Monday that Rodgers (concussion/nose) has continued his running, throwing and hitting programs at the team's facility in Florida, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The team hasn't confirmed that Rodgers has exited concussion protocol, so until that happens, he won't be available to head back out on a minor-league rehab assignment. Rodgers was initially placed on the injured list June 18 due to a left oblique strain, but he's made a full recovery from that injury and is instead working his way back from the concussion as well as a broken nose, which he suffered in a July 18 rehab game with Triple-A Sugar Land.

Leon (knee) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Leon has spent the entire season on the injured list, as he was diagnosed with a Grade 1 MCL sprain his left knee in late February, then aggravated the injury in late May during his rehab assignment. After a couple weeks of rest, Leon was cleared to resume activities around the middle of June, but he endured a slow ramp-up period before finally demonstrating enough progress for the Astros to clear him for game action. Given the length of his absence, Leon will likely require an extended rehab assignment, and he could end up being optioned to Sugar Land once he's formally activated from the 60-day IL.

O'Neill (wrist) resumed baseball activities Monday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

O'Neill did some throwing Monday, which was a big step in the recovery process as he makes his way back from right wrist inflammation. However, the Orioles will be conservative with his rehab, as O'Neill is not expected to return from the injured list until at least Sept. 1.

Slaten (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Slaten had been scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Monday. However, he's feeling good enough that the Red Sox have opted to have him skip that session in order to send him out on a rehab assignment right away. Slaten has been shelved since early June with right shoulder inflammation, so he'll likely need multiple appearances in the minors before making his return to the Boston bullpen.

France (shoulder) struck out seven and allowed three earned runs on four hits and four walks across four innings in his rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Sugar Land.

The right-hander has now made five rehab starts across stops with three different affiliates and has been gradually increasing his workload. He built up to 77 pitches Thursday and probably needs just one more rehab outing to get himself stretched out enough to handle a typical starter's workload, but France likely hasn't performed well enough to garner serious consideration for a spot in Houston's rotation once he's activated from the 60-day injured list. After undergoing shoulder surgery last July, France has struggled to regain his control thus far during his rehab assignment, as he's posted a 15:13 K:BB while hitting two batters and uncorking a wild pitch over 13 innings. France has a minor-league option remaining, so the Astros could have him remain with Sugar Land once his 30-day rehab window comes to a close.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Abreu (calf) feels better Monday, but the outfielder remains a candidate to go on the 10-day injured list, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Abreu was removed from Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Marlins due to right calf tightness and has already been ruled out for the Red Sox's two-game series with the Orioles to begin the week. The outfielder previously said that his goal was to return to the lineup for Thursday's series opener versus the Yankees, but his availability for that contest isn't a given. Roman Anthony will fill in for Abreu in right field in Monday's series opener with Baltimore.

Perez will start Wednesday's game in Atlanta, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Perez is taking the rotation spot vacated by Sean Burke, who was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday. Aaron Civale had been scheduled to take the ball Wednesday but has been pushed back in the schedule to start Friday versus the Twins. Perez made one relief appearance last Wednesday after returning from a lengthy absence due to a flexor strain, tossing 3.1 innings of one-run ball in a 1-0 loss to Detroit. He threw 66 pitches in that appearance, which is more than he threw in either of his two rehab outings before being activated from the 60-day injured list. With that in mind, Perez likely won't be ready to handle a full workload Wednesday.

Trammell is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Tigers.

Trammell's time as a strong-side platoon player for Houston looks to be over, as the left-handed-hitting outfielder finds himself on the bench for the third time in the Astros' last five matchups with a right-handed starting pitcher (Jack Flaherty). With just one hit in 15 at-bats and a 2:7 BB:K over his last six games, Trammell hasn't helped his case for earning regular starts in center field. Jacob Melton appears to have usurped Trammell as the Astros' preferred option in center against right-handed pitching.