MLB Player News

Baez is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Royals.

It's Baez's second straight game on the bench as Wenceel Perez receives a third consecutive start in center field for Detroit. Baez appears to be falling back into more of a part-time role after serving as the Tigers' primary center fielder for most of May. The 32-year-old started the month with a 1.050 OPS in his first 11 games of May, but he's fallen into a 5-for-31 slump over the past couple weeks.

Jobe was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with a Grade 1 flexor strain, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Sawyer Gipson-Long (elbow), who is coming off a dominant rehab start for Triple-A Toledo, is the likely replacement in the rotation. Jobe had a 5.28 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 25:17 K:BB in 29 innings over his last six starts.

Alvarez (hand) is not in Friday's lineup against the Rays.

Despite a ballyhooed batting practice session ahead of Friday's contest, it doesn't appear Alvarez will be activated Friday. Zach Dezenzo is starting at designated hitter and batting eighth.

Carter (quadriceps) reported to Triple-A Round Rock to start a rehab assignment Friday.

The 22-year-old has been out the past couple weeks due to quadriceps strain but has now been cleared for game action. Carter shouldn't require a lengthy stay in the minors before rejoining Texas since his absence has been relatively brief.

Walker (hand) is starting at first base and hitting cleanup Friday against the Rays.

He exited Wednesday's game after getting hit on the hand by a pitch, but X-rays were negative and he just needed one day off before getting back in the mix. Walker is hitting .229 with three home runs in 25 games this month.

Garcia is not in Friday's lineup against the Cardinals.

It's notable that the righty-hitting Garcia is getting a day off even with lefty Matthew Liberatore on the hill for St. Louis. Garcia is hitting .189 with three home runs, one steal, a 5.1 percent walk rate and a 29.6 percent strikeout rate in 26 games this month. Sam Haggerty is starting in right field and leading off while Kyle Higashioka gets a start at designated hitter.

Suarez (shoulder) extended his throwing distance off flat ground to 105 feet Friday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Suarez started up his throwing program earlier in May and is now extending his distance, and he could progress to bullpen sessions in the near future. The right-hander landed on the shelf with a shoulder strain after his season debut March 28, and he'll likely require multiple rehab appearances in the minors once cleared for game action.

Alvarez (hand) homered to conclude his live batting practice session ahead of Friday's game against the Rays, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Alvarez is eligible for activation and we're awaiting the Astros lineup for Friday, but multiple Astros beat writers commented about Alvarez's home run to conclude live BP. Rome noted that Mauricio Dubon and Jose Altuve got up as if to say they'd seen enough, following Alvarez's home run, so it's possible he's activated Friday at designated hitter.

The Tigers claimed Cusick off waivers Friday and optioned him to Triple-A Toledo.

The right-hander was designated for assignment by the A's earlier in the week but will remain on a 40-man roster with the Tigers. Cusick has spent the season at the Triple-A level and has a 6.75 ERA, 1.97 WHIP and 11:13 K:BB over 14.2 innings.

Thomas (foot) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Angels.

It's the third straight game on the bench for Thomas as he continues to deal with plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Angel Martinez will receive another start in center field Friday for the Guardians.