MLB Player News

Clemens will start at second base and bat sixth in Sunday's game against the Mariners.

Earlier this weekend, the Twins got Harrison Bader back from a four-game absence due to a finger injury and Byron Buxton and Matt Wallner from stints on the injured list, but their returns haven't yet had a negative effect on Clemens' playing time. Clemens will start at his third different position of the series and will pick up his sixth consecutive start overall, with manager Rocco Baldelli getting creative in finding ways to keep the 29-year-old's bat in the lineup. Since being acquired from the Phillies on April 25, Clemens has produced a monstrous .957 OPS, though he's begun to cool down a bit with a .158/.238/.316 slash line over his last six games. In the long term, Clemens will likely struggle to hold down a regular spot in the Minnesota lineup, especially if the struggling Royce Lewis eventually breaks out of his extended slump at the plate.

Buxton is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners.

After returning from the 7-day injured list Friday, Buxton started in center field in both of the first two games of the series and exhibited no hangover effect from his recent concussion, as he went 4-for-12 with three RBI, three runs and a stolen base between those contests. He'll take a seat Sunday in what looks to be little more than a pre-planned recovery day coming off the concussion. Harrison Bader will cover center field in Buxton's stead.

Lee is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners.

Lee had started each of the last four games -- three at second base, one at third base -- but his playing time could become more sporadic now that the Twins are back to full strength in the outfield following the recent returns of Matt Wallner and Byron Buxton from the injured list. With Wallner and Buxton back in the fold, super-utility man Willi Castro could end up seeing more work at second base at Lee's expense. Rather than Castro -- who will start in left field Sunday -- it will be the hot-hitting Kody Clemens who fills in for Lee at the keystone.

Soderstrom was ejected during third inning of Sunday's game against the Blue Jays for arguing balls and strikes, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Soderstrom drove in a run with a groundout during the opening frame but was tossed in the third inning after getting rung up on a called strike three. Despite the early departure, the 23-year-old still had a productive four-game set in Toronto, going 3-for-10 with two walks, a double, two homers and five RBI.

The Rangers designated Barnhart for assignment Sunday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The 34-year-old was added to the big-league roster in late April and appeared in just eight games during his time in the majors, going 3-for-13 with a walk in 15 plate appearances. Barnhart will have the option to elect free agency if he passes through waivers unclaimed.

The Astros transferred Blanco (elbow) to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

The transaction is merely procedural, as Blanco is scheduled to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery in the near future. With the right-hander coming off the 40-man roster, the Astros were able to open up a spot for outfielder Jacob Melton, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Sugar Land.

The Rangers selected Heuer's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Heuer will receive his first look in the big leagues since 2021 after posting a 3.27 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 25:11 K:BB across 22 innings with Round Rock. The right-hander will provide the Rangers with some bullpen depth while Nathan Eovaldi (triceps) heads to the injured list.

Meyers is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.

Meyers will receive his first day off since April 28 while the Astros clear a spot in the lineup for rookie Jacob Melton, who will start in center field in his MLB debut. Though Melton is regarded as one of the organization's top prospects, he won't necessarily supplant Meyers as the Astros' top center fielder. In addition to providing his typical quality defense in center, Meyers was one of Houston's top hitters in May, finishing the month with an .879 OPS.

Jansen is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

Jansen will get a breather after starting behind the plate in the first two games of the series. Matt Thaiss will handle catching duties Sunday for the Rays.

Carpenter is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.

After starting each of the last five games, Carpenter will hit the bench against lefty Kris Bubic. Justyn-Henry Malloy will take Carpenter's spot in the lineup, manning right field while batting leadoff.