MLB Player News

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said Friday that Suarez (groin) could be activated from the 15-day injured list when first eligible Tuesday to start against the Orioles that night, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Suarez was diagnosed with a left groin strain after exiting a July 5 start against the Angels, resulting him going on the IL and missing out on pitching in the All-Star Game. The southpaw's recovery from the injury seems to have gone smoothly, and barring any setbacks over the weekend, he'll be lined up to take the ball for Boston's sixth game out of the All-Star break. Suarez posted a superb 3.15 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 97:26 K:BB across 91.1 innings over his 17 starts in the first half.

Lux (shoulder) was pulled off his rehab assignment earlier this week, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lux has appeared in seven games with Triple-A Durham, going 7-for-24 with zero extra-base hits, two RBI and three runs scored. The 28-year-old has yet to play in a big-league game this season due to recurring shoulder issues.

Briceno (wrist) was activated from the 60-day injured list at Double-A Erie on Friday, Emily Waldon of Baseball America reports.

Briceno had surgery to repair a tendon in his right wrist back in March and began a rehab assignment late last month. The Tigers' top catching prospect, Briceno slashed .266/.383/.500 with 20 homers, 76 RBI, 60 runs scored and a 66:87 BB:K across 441 trips to the plate between High-A and Double-A as a 20-year-old last season.

Joyce (shoulder) averaged 100.2 mph with his fastball in a one-inning rehab appearance in the Arizona Complex League on Thursday, Taylor Blake Ward of TheSportingTribune.com reports.

Joyce's fastball topped out at 102.3 mph, and he's now thrown 2.2 innings since resuming his rehab assignment following a setback in May. The hard-throwing right-hander was placed on the injured list just ahead of Opening Day and has yet to pitch in a big-league game this season. If all goes well, Joyce could potentially rejoin the Angels' bullpen later this month.

Mullins is not in the lineup for the first game of Friday's doubleheader versus the Red Sox.

With lefty Jake Bennett slated to toe the rubber for the Red Sox, Mullins will begin the festivities on the bench. Jonny DeLuca will patrol center field for the Rays.

Caminero (hand) will start at third base and bat third in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Red Sox.

Caminero had to leave Tuesday's All-Star Game after being hit on the left hand by a pitch, but X-rays came back negative and he's ready to roll for the beginning of the second half. The 23-year-old heads into the unofficial second half in a tie for fourth in MLB with 28 home runs.

The Rays recalled Englert from Triple-A Durham on Friday and will have him start or pitch in bulk relief in the second game of their doubleheader versus the Red Sox, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Tampa Bay designated Englert as the 27th man for the twin bill, so he'll likely be returned to Durham after the doubleheader is completed. The 26-year-old has made two starts and 11 relief appearances for Tampa Bay this season, logging a 3.82 ERA and 28:7 K:BB over 30.2 innings.

The Red Sox recalled Gamboa from Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Gamboa will serve as the 27th man during Friday's doubleheader against the Rays. The left-hander has made four appearances out of the Boston bullpen in 2026, allowing two runs with a 4:4 K:BB over five frames.

The Orioles recalled Encarnacion-Strand from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Encarnacion-Strand will fill the 26-man roster spot vacated by Blaze Alexander, who was placed on the 10-day injured list with a broken left hand. Acquired from the Reds back in April, Encarnacion-Strand has slashed .273/.309/.555 with 17 homers, 48 RBI, 35 runs scored, two stolen bases and a 12:77 BB:K across 257 plate appearances with Norfolk this season. He mostly played first base during his time with Cincinnati the previous three campaigns but has seen more action at the hot corner this year at Triple-A.

The Orioles placed Alexander on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a fractured left hand, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The move is retroactive to July 13, as Alexander suffered the injury in Sunday's game against the Royals when he was hit by a pitch in the hand. He's likely looking at more than the minimum stay on the injured list. Alexander is enjoying a career year in his first season with Baltimore, slashing .312/.368/.439 with four homers, 29 RBI, 31 runs scored, nine stolen bases and a 16:54 BB:K across 246 plate appearances. Alexander has become the Orioles' everyday third baseman. Coby Mayo, Jeremiah Jackson and Christian Encarnacion-Strand could all see extra playing time with Alexander sidelined.