MLB Player News

Hamilton will open Friday's game against Atlanta, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

The Yankees were initially expected to start Max Fried (blister) on Friday, but the team has opted to give Fried a few extra days of rest. Instead, Hamilton will open up what's expected to be a bullpen game. The 30-year-old reliever has a 3.47 ERA through 36.1 innings this season, and he hasn't pitched more than two innings in an outing this season. Coming out of the All-Star break, New York could look to get multiple innings out of Hamilton's fresh arm Friday.

Bazzana (oblique) was activated from the 7-day injured list at Double-A Akron on Friday.

Bazzana has been on the shelf since mid-May with a strained right oblique, but he's been officially cleared to return to action with Akron. The first overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft appeared in 33 Double-A games before the injury, slashing .252/.362/.433 with four homers and eight stolen bases.

Rafaela will be added to the mix at second base and possibly play one or two games per week at the position, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. "Give him one or maybe two starts at second so we can get everybody else in the lineup," Boston manager Alex Cora said.

Occasionally moving Rafaela to second base would allow Cora to get as many left-handed bats into the lineup as possible against righties, and reduce the logjam in the outfield. On the days when Rafaela plays second base, Jarren Duran will patrol center field with Roman Anthony in left and Wilyer Abreu in right, while Masataka Yoshida serves as the designated hitter.

Ruiz was traded from Atlanta to Texas in exchange for Dane Dunning on Thursday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Ruiz lost his spot on Atlanta's 40-man roster June 19, but he went unclaimed on waivers and remained in the organization. He'll get a fresh start with the Rangers, his third club of 2025.

Schultz (finger) began a rehab assignment with the Florida Complex League Blue Jays on Thursday.

Schultz hit the injured list with right middle finger inflammation in late June and resumed throwing roughly a week later. He should be activated relatively soon, as he typically works one or two frames per appearance and shouldn't need a ton of appearance before being reinstated.

Massey (wrist) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Friday.

Massey landed on the injured list June 10 due to a left ankle sprain, but he was pulled off his rehab assignment July 3 after suffering a hairline fracture in his right wrist as a result of a hit-by-pitch. The Royals haven't specified how long they plan to keep the 27-year-old in the minors for his second rehab stint, but a return to Kansas City before the end of the month remains possible.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday that Gray (forearm) will make another rehab start at Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Saturday is expected to be Gray's final outing in the minors before returning from the injured list next week. The 33-year-old has made two appearances since starting up his rehab assignment, giving up two earned runs while striking out three batters over five frames. Because he has yet to last longer than three innings, he'll likely operate under a pitch count during his first few outings back with the Rangers. Otherwise, the team could use him as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen.

The Rangers optioned Helman to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Helman was sent down Thursday as Justin Foscue gets recalled from Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move. Helman made his season debut with the Rangers on June 27 and appeared in four games after that. He was hitless in six plate appearances but was able to draw two walks.

The Rangers recalled Foscue from Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Foscue is returning to the big-league club after the All-Star break as Michael Helman was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move. Foscue was sent down to Triple-A just prior to the break July 5 after not logging much playing time with the Rangers. With Jake Burger on the injured list, the Rangers could platoon Rowdy Tellez and Foscue at first base.

Winckowski (elbow) is in the early stages of a throwing progression at the Red Sox' spring training complex in Florida, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Winkowski suffered a right flexor strain at Triple-A Worcester back in mid-May and was recalled and placed on the 60-day major-league injured list in early June. He will not be eligible for activation until early August, and it sounds like it will be longer than that before he'll be an option for the Red Sox.