MLB Player News

The Rangers activated Garcia (ankle) off the 10-day injured list Saturday.

Garcia is set to return to action after missing 10 days due to a sprained left ankle. The slugger is back in the starting lineup upon his activation, as he's playing right field and batting sixth against Cleveland on Saturday. Garcia will take the 26-man roster spot made available when Marcus Semien (foot) was placed on the 10-day IL in a corresponding move.

Texas placed Semien on the 10-day injured list Saturday due to a left foot contusion.

Semien has been out of the lineup since Thursday, when he fouled a ball off his left foot during a game against the Royals. Though the veteran infielder is slated to meet with a foot doctor Sunday, the Rangers decided not to wait until the results of that meeting to place him on the IL. The transaction made room on the 26-man active roster for outfielder Adolis Garcia (ankle), who was reinstated from the IL. Semien's everyday role at second base could be assumed by a combination of Ezequiel Duran, Josh Smith and/or Cody Freeman, the latter of whom will start at the position Saturday versus Cleveland.

Seattle activated Robles (shoulder) off the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Robles had been on the shelf since early April due to a small fracture in the humeral head of his left shoulder. He has been rehabbing with Triple-A Tacoma and batted .310 with a home run, nine RBI and two stolen bases during the eight-game rehab stint. While Robles has now been activated off the IL, he's still facing a 10-game suspension for throwing his bat toward a pitcher during the rehab assignment; however, because Robles' appeal hasn't yet been ruled on by MLB, Robles is able to play and is expected to be in Seattle's lineup against the Athletics on Saturday, per Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times. Dylan Moore was designated for assignment Saturday to make room for Robles on the 26-man active roster and 40-man roster.

Poteet (shoulder) is beginning a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Poteet has been on the shelf since late April due to right shoulder inflammation. He has made only one regular-season appearance this year, allowing five runs over 2.2 innings against Cincinnati on April 20. Poteet will presumably need to make several rehab outings given the length of his absence. He could be activated by the Orioles sometime in September if he doesn't experience any setbacks.

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.