MLB Player News

Higashioka is not in the Rangers' starting lineup against the Phillies on Saturday.

Higashioka will get a breather while Jonah Heim works behind home plate and bats eighth. Higashioka has been productive in 13 games since the All-Star break and has a .946 OPS with one steal, three home runs and five RBI over that span.

The Twins recalled McCusker from Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday.

Since being sent down to the minors in late May, McCusker has slashed just .165/.244/.357 across 201 plate appearances. Despite his underwhelming performance, he'll rejoin the big club to replace Matt Wallner (paternity) and likely pick up a few starts in right field.

The Twins placed Wallner on the paternity list Saturday.

Wallner will miss at most three games while he welcomes a new addition to his family. Carson McCusker was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul to replenish the Twins' outfield depth and could see time in right field until Wallner returns.

Massey (wrist/back) will resume his rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Massey was pulled off his rehab assignment from a fractured right wrist last week due to a back injury, but he's now been given the green light to return to action in Triple-A. It's unclear how many more reps in the minors the Royals will look to give the 27-year-old, though he should be able to rejoin the active roster later this month, barring any additional setbacks.

Bergert is scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Twins at Target Field.

Acquired from the Padres at the trade deadline, Bergert slotted into the rotation Tuesday in his Royals debut, taking a loss despite limiting the Red Sox to two runs on two hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. Bergert may need another strong showing Sunday to ensure he sticks around in the Kansas City rotation next week, when the Royals could get another starter in Michael Lorenzen (oblique) back from the injured list. Once Lorenzen is activated, the choice for the Royals' No. 5 starter may come down to Bailey Falter and Bergert, and the fact that Bergert has minor-league options remaining could work against him in sticking around in the big-league rotation.

Smith isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees.

Smith will get a breather after going 1-for-3 during Friday's victory. While he rests, Taylor Trammell, Chas McCormick and Jesus Sanchez will start across the outfield for the Astros.

Dubon isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees.

Dubon has collected a base hit in each of his last four contests, but he'll take a seat on the bench to begin Saturday's contest while Ramon Urias starts at second base.

Chisholm isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Astros.

Although Chisholm doesn't typically step out of the lineup against southpaws, the Yankees will keep him and his left-handed bat on the bench Saturday against fellow lefty Framber Valdez. Jose Caballero will fill in at the keystone and bat eighth.

Wells isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Houston.

The lefty-hitting Wells will get a breather Saturday while the lefty-throwing Framber Valdez takes the mound for the Astros. Ben Rice will start behind the plate and bat fifth.

Vierling appeared as a pinch hitter and went 1-for-1 with a three-run home run in Friday's 6-5 win over the Angels.

Vierling pinch hit for Kerry Carpenter in the eighth inning to face Los Angeles lefty Reid Detmers, and Vierling promptly launched his first home run of the season to erase a 5-3 deficit. While Vierling has struggled for much of the year, he has been better lately with a .273 batting average over his last 15 games. The veteran should continue to see regular time in center field with Parker Meadows (quad) on the injured list.