MLB Player News

Kelenic signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Saturday, Conor Foley of YES Network reports.

Once considered a top prospect in the sport, Kelenic fizzled out with Seattle and has bounced around in the years since. He has played in 36 big-league games this season between the White Sox and Rangers, slashing .219/.313/.288 in 83 plate appearances. It's not completely out of the question that he joins the parent club in September, but Kelenic appears set to join Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for the time being.

Hancock (groin) was moving around well Saturday, per Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com.

Hancock felt something in his left leg as he went to make a tag in the first inning of Friday's game, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports. The right-hander gutted it out and completed five innings in a loss, at least saving the bullpen some extra stress. "If you feel like you can go out there and compete and throw the ball, then that's what I wanted to do," Hancock added after the game. While Saturday's update is encouraging, the Mariners will give it another day or two before determining Hancock's availability for his next start.

Anthony (finger) will play in another rehab game with Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Interim manager Chad Tracy is not shutting the door on Sunday returns for Anthony and Trevor Story (sports hernia), but the skipper is also not committing to it. "It's just hard to say right now," Tracy said Saturday. Anthony has swung the bat well on his rehab assignment, batting .304 with a pair of homers, but he told NESN on Thursday night that he was still "getting close to where I want to be."

Smith (hamstring) will play in one more rehab game with Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Assuming Smith comes out of his third rehab game without any issues, he will rejoin the big-league club and officially return when rosters expand Sept. 1. Smith has endured a tough season between Texas and Toronto, but his versatility around the diamond will likely afford him occasional opportunities with the Blue Jays down the stretch.

Bazzana is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Royals.

The lefty-hitting Bazzana has slashed .188/.295/.232 in 129 plate appearances against same-side pitching this season and has fallen into a platoon role lately as a result. That trend will continue Saturday with the 2024 No. 1 overall pick sitting against southpaw Daniel Lynch as Angel Genao starts at the keystone for Cleveland.

Pasquantino is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Guardians.

Salvador Perez will start at first base while Carter Jensen serves as the DH and Luke Maile works behind the plate against left-hander Foster Griffin. Pasquantino has gone 14-for-40 (.350) with three homers, eight RBI and even a stolen base in 11 games since he returned from a wrist injury, but he's still batting just .177/.255/.260 against lefty pitching for the season.

Schmidt (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset on Saturday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

This marks Schmidt's return to a competitive setting for the first time in nearly 14 months following internal brace surgery. While the fantasy implications are minimal since Schmidt is not expected to have time to build up to a starter's workload, the right-hander appears on track to contribute down the stretch as a member of the Yankees' bullpen.

McMahon (thumb) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset on Saturday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Manager Aaron Boone explained that McMahon will "probably" play in just one game before rejoining the Yankees, with the plan being to activate the infielder when rosters expand Sept. 1. The 31-year-old McMahon has mostly struggled at the dish in the years since he left Colorado, though his defense at the hot corner is still valuable enough to project him for a semi-regular role upon his return to the active roster.

Buxton (hip) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the White Sox.

Saturday will mark the third straight absence for Buxton since his removal from Tuesday's game with right hip discomfort. The Twins are still viewing the veteran outfielder as day-to-day, though a move to the injured list could be necessary if he isn't able to return to the starting nine soon. Walker Jenkins will start in center field and bat ninth Saturday.

Greene (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Greene will serve as the Mud Hens' designated hitter Saturday before returning to the outfield Sunday. Assuming he gets through the weekend without any issues, he could be cleared to return to the Tigers on Monday for the start of their upcoming series against the Twins.