MLB Player News

Lux (shoulder) is scheduled to take live batting practice against teammate Craig Kimbrel (wrist) on Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays announced May 12 that Lux was pulled off his minor-league rehab assignment due to left shoulder inflammation, after it was a right shoulder impingement sustained back in the spring that initially caused him to open the season on the shelf. Lux had been shut down from all baseball activities shortly after experiencing the setback, but the Rays' decision to clear him to face live pitching Tuesday suggests that he's been able to ramp back up over the last week or so. Tampa Bay hasn't provided any indication regarding when Lux might resume his rehab assignment, however, so his return from the 60-day IL shouldn't be viewed as imminent.

Noel was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Norfolk on Monday with left wrist inflammation, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Noel hasn't played in almost two weeks because of the injury, and he is set to miss additional time. The 24-year-old has been a disaster at Norfolk this season, slashing .121/.217/.243 with three homers and a 30 percent strikeout rate over 120 plate appearances.

Kimbrel (wrist) will throw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kimbrel had made only one appearance for the Rays before going down with a right wrist strain at the end of May. It's unclear whether the club will ask him to make any rehab appearances first, but Kimbrel looks to be on track for activation from the 15-day injured list when first eligible Friday.

Jackson is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Mariners.

Jackson had been handling a near-everyday role for the first two months of the season, but his playing time has dropped off considerably since Jackson Holliday was reinstated from the injured list May 18. The Orioles will keep Jackson on the bench for an eighth straight game Monday, marking by far the longest stretch he's been out of the lineup all season after he previously went no more than two games without a start.

DeLuca (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

DeLuca is only two weeks into a projected 6-to-8 week absence with a right hamstring strain, so he appears to be on track to return much sooner than anticipated. He was seeing regular starts in right field before getting hurt, and with Jake Fraley (hernia) out several more weeks, DeLuca should again see plenty of reps once he rejoins the active roster.

The Astros recalled Whitcomb from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday.

He'll join the 26-man active roster as a replacement for infielder Nick Allen (hamstring), who landed on the 10-day injured list. Whitcomb is capable of handling every position other than center field and catcher, but he hardly played during his last stint with the big club and may not be in line for many at-bats this time around either.

Helsley (elbow) threw batting practice against live hitters Monday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Helsley had already completed multiple bullpen sessions over the last two weeks, but his ability to face hitters Monday means that he's checked off another box in the recovery process for his inflamed right elbow, which sent him to the injured list May 1. If Helsley checks out fine following the workout, the Orioles could clear him to head out on a rehab assignment later this week.

The Astros placed Allen on the 10-day injured list Monday due to a left hamstring strain.

Allen was removed from Sunday's game against the Athletics after tweaking his hamstring while running out a grounder, and an MRI revealed a strain. It's unclear how severe the strain is, but even a mild one has the potential to keep Allen out beyond the minimum 10 days.

The Blue Jays activated Nance (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Nance has been shelved since mid-May with right forearm discomfort but is ready to rejoin the Blue Jays bullpen following one rehab appearance with Triple-A Buffalo. The 35-year-old will operate in a middle-relief role.

The Mariners recalled Bliss from Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.

Bliss secured a spot on the Mariners' Opening Day roster coming out of spring training, but he appeared in just one game before Seattle optioned him to Triple-A on April 2. Since that time, Bliss has slashed just .204/.263/.280 with one home run and nine stolen bases across 235 plate appearances with Tacoma. Despite the poor production at the dish, Bliss will make his return to the majors while the Mariners are in need of infield depth after shortstop J.P. Crawford (hand) was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move.