MLB Player News

Pena (ribs) is ramping up work in the weight room and is participating in portions of baseball activities, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

It's unclear what baseball activities Pena has been cleared to partake in, but he's yet to resume full baseball activities. Still, it's an encouraging sign for Pena, as he pushes to make a return shortly after the All-Star break. In the meantime, Mauricio Dubon and Zack Short should handle most of the work at shortstop.

Stanton is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs

It's the second straight game on the bench for Stanton, though he did come off the bench Thursday and deliver a pinch-hit, two-run homer. There's been no injury reported for the veteran slugger, so it's likely just a couple straight days of rest after he started the previous three games. Ben Rice is batting cleanup as the designated hitter Friday.

The Rangers optioned Dunning to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

The right-hander spent the past 10 days in the majors but will head back to Round Rock with Caleb Boushley joining the active roster Friday. Dunning has a 3.38 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 10:5 K:BB over 10.2 frames in the big leagues this season.

The Rangers recalled Boushley from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Boushley has bounced between Triple-A and the majors this season, and he'll join the Rangers' bullpen ahead of the team's three-game set in Houston. In 15 MLB appearances, Boushley has logged a 5.04 ERA and a 29:5 K:BB across 30.1 innings. Dane Dunning was optioned to Round Rock in a corresponding move.

Kim is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kim started the previous three games and will head to the bench Friday after going 4-for-12 with a double, a homer and three RBI. Taylor Walls will step in at shortstop for Tampa Bay.

Urquidy (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Urquidy is working his way back from Tommy John surgery he underwent in June of 2024, and he's been throwing bullpens since late May. While he hasn't faced live hitters, Urquidy should be getting close to taking that step. Still, he shouldn't be expected back until mid-August at the earliest.

Gipson-Long (neck) completed a bullpen session Thursday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The outing marked Gipson-Long's first time throwing off a mound since being placed on the 15-day injured list July 2 with a neck strain. The 27-year-old will be eligible for activation after the All-Star break, but it's unclear if he'll be ready by then.

Carpenter (hamstring) has resumed hitting and defensive drills and is participating in a running progression, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reported Friday.

Carpenter became eligible to return from the 10-day injured list Friday, but based on his progression, he likely won't be back until after the All-Star break. The 27-year-old could be good to go immediately after the pause. Prior to suffering a strained right hamstring, Carpenter slashed .257/.285/.494 over 277 plate appearances.

Manager Alex Cora said Friday that Mayer will get the majority of the playing time at second base moving forward, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

The 22-year-old's roster spot appeared in question with Alex Bregman (quadriceps) returning from the injured list Friday, but the Red Sox will keep Mayer in the majors and shift him to the middle infield. The rookie has seen most of his playing time thus far at the hot corner, but he has yet to get on track at the plate with a .234/.272/.421 slash line and 29.8 percent strikeout rate through 37 games. Mayer is starting at the keystone and batting seventh Friday versus the Rays.

Handley (concussion) isn't expected to be cleared to swing a bat for at least another week, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reported Friday.

Handley has been on the concussion injured list since June 23 after being on the receiving end of a nasty collision with Jazz Chisholm. He'll need at least one more week before being cleared to swing a bat, so he shouldn't be expected back until late July at the earliest.