MLB Player News

Stanton (elbows) has been taking at-bats at the Yankees' complex in Tampa, but manager Aaron Boone said the slugger is not likely to be ready to come off the injured list next week, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Stanton logged 6-to-7 at-bats in Tampa on Friday and was slated to continue similar activity through the weekend. It's unclear what the next step in his rehab will be, but Stanton could either continue working out in Tampa or head out on a minor-league rehab assignment. Based on Boone's comment, the veteran masher may be held out until at least the team's next road trip, which begins Tuesday, June 10 in Kansas City.

Rocker (shoulder) is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday against the Rays, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The right-hander seemed likely require at least one additional rehab outing after throwing 53 pitches over four scoreless innings Thursday for Triple-A Round Rock, but he'll instead rejoin the Rangers with Nathan Eovaldi (triceps) placed on the injured list Sunday. Rocker figures to have some workload limitations in his first start back in the majors, but he pitched well in his two rehab outings with an 8:1 K:BB across seven shutout innings.

The Rangers placed Eovaldi on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to right posterior elbow inflammation.

Eovaldi experienced right triceps fatigue coming out of his most recent outing Tuesday, but the Rangers were initially optimistic that he would avoid a stint on the IL after getting a few extra days of rest between starts. The right-hander told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com earlier Sunday that he was feeling good after playing catch and hoped to return to the mound Wednesday or Thursday versus the Rays, but the Rangers' brass evidently felt it was better to give him some additional time off. Per Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News, general manager Chris Young reiterated that Eovaldi has nothing structurally wrong with his arm, and the Rangers believe that he'll be able to return from the IL around when he's first eligible June 13. The Rangers will replace Eovaldi in the rotation with Kumar Rocker (shoulder), who will be activated from the IL to start Wednesday.

Carlson will start in left field and bat sixth in Sunday's game against the White Sox.

With injuries mounting in the Baltimore outfield, Carlson has been one of the primary beneficiaries. He'll start an eighth straight game Sunday after going 9-for-25 with two home runs, two doubles, six RBI, four runs and a stolen base over the previous seven contests. The Orioles are expected to get Colton Cowser (thumb) back from the injured list shortly, but his return could result in fewer opportunities for Heston Kjerstad or Jorge Mateo rather than Carlson.

The Blue Jays optioned Lucas to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

The left-hander followed opener Braydon Fisher against the A's on Saturday and picked up the win after firing 4.2 scoreless innings, but he won't stick in the majors with Erik Swanson (forearm) returning from the injured list Sunday. Lucas has been boom-or-bust in his five MLB appearances this season, as he's covered 15 frames in three scoreless outings but has surrendered 14 runs in his other two starts.

Rutschman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Rutschman appears to be getting some routine rest in an afternoon game after he started each of Baltimore's last three contests. Maverick Handley will get the nod behind the dish.

The Blue Jays reinstated Swanson (forearm) from the 60-day injured list Sunday.

The right-hander has been sidelined for the first couple months of the season due to carpal tunnel syndrome in his right forearm, but he's ready to rejoin the Blue Jays after a six-outing rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo. Swanson had a 5.03 ERA across 45 appearances last season, but he recorded four saves and 29 holds with a 2.97 ERA during the regular season in 2023 and could return to a high-leverage role if he can regain that form.

The Astros selected Melton's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday. He'll start in center field and bat eighth in the Astros' series finale versus the Rays, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Regarded as one of the Astros' top prospects, Melton receives his first big-league call-up after slashing .254/.371/.508 with two home runs, three stolen bases and a 21.4 percent strikeout rate over 70 plate appearances with Sugar Land. Melton's ability to play all three outfield spots could allow him to see at least semi-regular playing time, especially while the team has the designated hitter spot open with Yordan Alvarez (hand) on the injured list.

Trout is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Trout will get a pre-planned day off after going 4-for-9 with a double, an RBI and a run in two games since being activated from the injured list Friday. Though Trout has experienced no setbacks with his knee, manager Ron Washington noted that the 33-year-old isn't yet ready to play right field and will continue to be deployed as the Angels' designated hitter for the remainder of their current road trip, which ends Wednesday in Boston. Trout is expected to resume outfield workouts when the Angels return to Anaheim, but it's unclear how soon he might be ready to play defense.

Higashioka is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Jonah Heim is back behind the plate Sunday, but he's gone 2-for-23 with no walks and 10 strikeouts over his last eight games and seems to be losing his grip on the Rangers' No. 1 backstop job. Higashioka had started the previous four games -- three at catcher, one at designated hitter -- and went 3-for-11 during that stretch to bring his batting average up to .233 on the season. Though he'll be out of the lineup for the series finale, Higashioka may have at least moved into a timeshare with Heim at catcher.