MLB Player News

Higashioka is not in the lineup for Monday's tilt against the Yankees.

Higashioka started both of the previous two contests and five of the last six games, but he'll take a seat in Monday's series opener. Jonah Heim will handle catching duties and will bat eighth for the Rangers.

Jung (calf) will start at designated hitter and bat sixth in Monday's game versus the Yankees.

Jung missed each of the previous four contests with a sore calf, but he's feeling well enough to at least serve as a hitter in Monday's series opener. The 27-year-old is slashing .367/.424/.567 with two home runs in nine games since being recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on July 21.

The Rays outrighted Thaiss to Triple-A Durham on Monday.

He's no longer on the 40-man roster, but Thaiss will accept an outright assignment and remain in the organization as catching depth.

The Rays claimed Scholtens off waivers from the White Sox on Monday and optioned him to Triple-A Durham.

Scholtens didn't pitch at all in 2024 and has been limited to 10 appearances (eight starts) in 2025 in the minors after recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 31-year-old has collected a 5.25 ERA and 30:12 K:BB over 36 innings this season and will likely slot into Durham's rotation.

Blubaugh has joined the Astros' taxi squad in Miami and could be recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The Astros don't have starting pitchers listed for Tuesday's or Wednesday's games versus the Marlins, although Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) will be activated from the 60-day injured list to start one of those contests. Blubaugh is an option to start the other game, or he could be bullpen protection for Arrighetti, who will be making his first start in the majors since April. In one spot start with Houston earlier this season, Blubaugh allowed two runs with six strikeouts over four frames.

McCullers (finger) threw a four-inning simulated game Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

While McCullers is already stretched out to four innings, Astros manager Joe Espada indicated Sunday that the righty will throw 1-to-2 more times off a mound and could require a rehab assignment before rejoining the rotation. Espada's comments suggest that McCullers -- who is working his way back from a blister -- probably won't be back with the big club until at least mid-August.

Perez (elbow) struck out three batters and allowed two earned runs on four hits and no walks over 2.2 innings in his rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Charlotte.

The veteran southpaw took part in his first game action since April 18, after he was diagnosed with a left flexor tendon strain and shut down for an extended period before he resumed throwing in late June. Perez made enough progress in his throwing program to kick off his rehab assignment over the weekend, and he shouldered a healthy workload Sunday, tossing 47 pitches (32 strikes). He's likely to require at least three more rehab starts before he makes his return to the White Sox rotation in late August or early September.

Keaschall (forearm) is likely to be activated from the 60-day injured list prior to Tuesday's game in Detroit, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

The Twins elected not to activate Keaschall from the IL this past Friday when he was first eligible. However, he has a locker in the Twins clubhouse at Comerica Park, indicating that Keaschall's activation is imminent. The rookie has been shelved since late April with a fractured right forearm. Keaschall should see something close to everyday playing time over the final two months, perhaps in a super-utility role.

O'Neill (illness) will start at designated hitter and bat fifth in Monday's game against the Phillies.

O'Neill was held out of the lineup for the final two games of the Orioles' weekend series in Chicago, but a couple days off was all that the 30-year-old needed to move past an apparently minor illness. He'll serve as Baltimore's DH on Monday but could see most of his playing time in the corner outfield if the Orioles activate Ryan Mountcastle (hamstring) from the injured list later this week, as expected.

Julien will start at second base and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Tigers.

Julien has started at the keystone in all four games for the Twins since he was called up from Triple-A St. Paul on Friday in the aftermath of the trade deadline. Though Julien should have a pathway to an everyday lineup spot the rest of the season if he can produce at the plate, he's mustered just one hit and one walk while striking out five times in nine at-bats through his first three contests following his promotion. Luke Keaschall (forearm) could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list by the end of the week and may push Julien for playing time at the keystone if the latter player isn't able to get going at the dish.