MLB Player News

Smith (illness) is not in the Astros' starting lineup against the Guardians on Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Smith is out of the lineup for a second consecutive game due to an illness, but he's feeling better and could be available off the bench, per Kawahara. The Astros will start Jose Altuve, Jake Meyers and Mauricio Dubon in the outfield for Saturday's contest.

Melton is not in the Astros' starting lineup against the Guardians on Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Melton has started in each of the Astros' last five games since making his major-league debut this past Sunday, and he recorded the first RBI of his career against the Pirates on Thursday. He'll be in the dugout for the beginning of Saturday's game while Jose Altuve, Jake Meyers and Mauricio Dubon man the outfield for Houston.

Santana is not in the Guardians' starting lineup against the Astros on Saturday.

Santana saw his 14-game hitting streak come to an end Friday when he went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in a 4-2 loss to Houston. He'll be in the dugout for the beginning of Saturday's game while Kyle Manzardo shifts to first base and bats fourth.

Seager is not in the Rangers' starting lineup against the Nationals on Saturday.

Seager is in the midst of a slump, having gone 0-for-18 with three walks and eight strikeouts over his last five games. He'll begin Saturday's contest in the dugout while Ezequiel Duran starts at shortstop and bats ninth.

The Royals optioned Bowlan to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Bowlan is coming off a rough outing against the White Sox on Friday, when he allowed five runs (three earned) on two hits and four walks while striking out one batter in 1.1 innings. In a corresponding move, Kansas City selected Trevor Richards' contract from Omaha.

The Royals selected Richards' contract from Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Richards signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on May 9 after being released by the Cubs three days prior. The 32-year-old right-hander struggled with Triple-A Iowa, but he's been better out of the bullpen for Omaha, where he has a 1.69 ERA, 1.86 WHIP, two saves and an 11:5 K:BB across 10.2 innings. Richards will take the spot on the Royals' 26-man roster vacated by Jonathan Bowlan, who was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Walter is in Cleveland on Saturday and will be part of the Astros' taxi squad Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Walter's presence indicates that the 28-year-old southpaw could start in Sunday's series finale against the Guardians, per Kawahara. Walter has a 3-1 record across 11 games (seven starts) with Triple-A Sugar Land this season and holds a 2.08 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 49:7 K:BB across 47.2 innings. He made a spot start for Houston against Tampa Bay on May 20, during which he allowed three hits and one walk while striking out five across five scoreless innings while not factoring into the decision.

Erceg (back) threw live batting practice Friday and is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Erceg was placed on the injured list May 30, retroactive to May 27, making him eligible to return June 12 against the Yankees. Prior to hitting the shelf, the 30-year-old was in the midst of a strong season, recording a 1.96 ERA and 0.74 WHIP with 13 holds over 23 innings. Barring any setbacks during his rehab assignment, the right-hander should return to his setup role with the Royals in the near future.

Palacios is not in the White Sox's starting lineup against the Royals on Saturday.

Palacios has reached base safely in his last two starts, but he has gone 3-for-24 over his last 11 games. He'll be in the dugout for the start of Saturday's game while Andrew Benintendi, Luis Robert and Mike Tauchman man the outfield for the South Siders.

Coulombe (forearm) tossed one scoreless inning in his first rehab outing with Triple-A St. Paul on Friday.

Coulombe landed on the 15-day injured list May 18 due to an extensor strain in his left forearm. He was cleared to embark on a rehab assignment Friday, but the veteran southpaw may not need more work in Triple-A and could rejoin the Twins' bullpen in the coming days, per Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Coulombe hasn't given up a run across 16.2 major-league innings this season while posting a 0.60 WHIP, two saves and a 19:2 K:BB.