MLB Player News

Interim manager Chad Tracy said that Abreu (calf) is doing better after receiving treatment Saturday and he is "hopeful" Abreu will play Sunday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Abreu was scratched from Saturday's lineup against the Athletics with some swelling in his shin/calf area, but it sounds like he has a chance to play in Sunday's series finale. Boston is in the middle of a 16-game stretch with no off days. The 27-year-old is in the midst of a five-game hitting streak and five straight games with at least one RBI as well.

Burrows (elbow) threw 55 pitches over three innings at the Astros' complex Saturday and will next make a rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Burrows is progressing toward a return from right elbow inflammation, which has kept him out of game action since July 6. It's unclear how many rehab appearances the right-hander will make, but he had been slated to be optioned prior to landing on the IL, so Burrows may not be added back to the MLB roster once he's ready to be activated.

Diaz isn't in the starting lineup Saturday versus San Diego.

Diaz will get a deserved rest after starting behind the plate in each of Houston's previous four games. Christian Vazquez is getting a turn at catcher in Diaz's stead against the Padres.

Vargas (lat) is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with High-A Everett on Saturday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Vargas has been on the shelf all season due to a right lat strain. The right-hander suffered a setback in late April that caused him to pause his throwing progression, but he's since been able to work his way back to the point of taking part in minor-league games. Given the length of his absence, Vargas will likely need to make multiple rehab appearances before he's ready to be activated.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Pasquantino (wrist) may begin a minor-league rehab assignment Tuesday, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Pasquantino landed on the IL due to right wrist soreness July 29. The first baseman underwent surgery in mid-June to remove a fractured hamate bone, and the soreness was presumably related to that procedure. However, Pasquantino appears to be doing better with some time off, and if he does indeed begin a rehab stint Tuesday, he could be back with Kansas City shortly thereafter.

The Tigers transferred Hurter (back) to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday to begin a rehab assignment, Emily Waldon of Baseball America reports.

Hurter has been on the injured list since late May due to lumbar spine inflammation. He began throwing in late July and is now ready to get back into game action. Hurter is eligible to come off the IL at any time, but he'll probably need to log multiple outings with Toledo before doing so.

Javier will start Sunday's game against the Padres in San Diego, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

After making two straight appearances out of the bullpen in late July, Javier moved back into the rotation this past Monday. He took the loss against Toronto but pitched relatively well, giving up three runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and no walks over a season-high six innings. That was good enough for Houston to award him another start, and he'll go up against a Padres club that has scored the fifth-most runs in the league since the All-Star break.

Perez is out of the lineup for Saturday's game versus the Cubs.

Perez had been in the lineup for 28 straight games since returning from a brief absence in early July due to an elbow issue. However, he's beginning on the bench Saturday while Josh Rojas gets a turn at DH and Carter Jensen starts behind the plate.

Springer has been removed from Saturday's starting lineup versus Philadelphia due to left shoulder tightness, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

According to Zwelling, the issue is one that Springer has been dealing with for "the last couple days." With Springer pulled from the lineup, Jesus Sanchez is moving to DH, and Myles Straw is now starting in left field. Per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, manager John Schneider said Springer is available off the bench Saturday.

Okamoto isn't starting Saturday against the Phillies.

Okamoto is out of the lineup for the first time since July 28 after going 0-for-5 with a pair of strikeouts Friday and batting just 2-for-18 with nine punchouts over his previous four contests, mainly while covering first base as Vladimir Guerrero dealt with a hamstring issue. Guerrero will return to action Saturday, while Josh Smith makes another start at the hot corner.