MLB Player News

Rodriguez (back) will start in center field and bat third in Friday's game against the Astros.

Rodriguez was a late scratch from Thursday's lineup because of back tightness, but he's returned to action a day later. The 24-year-old will enter play Friday having homered two times over his last three contests.

The Athletics recalled Alexander from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Alexander will provide some corner-infield depth for the Athletics after Gio Urshela (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day IL on Friday. Alexander appeared in four regular-season games with the Athletics last season, going 1-for-8 at the plate with three strikeouts.

The Athletics recalled Lopez from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Lopez is expected to start Friday against the Phillies, as J.T. Ginn (quadriceps) recently landed on the 15-day injured list. Lopez made a spot start against the Rangers back on April 29, allowing three earned runs on six hits and four walks across 2.2 innings of work. He struck out four and took the loss. Lopez could make multiple starts for the Athletics while Ginn is sidelined.

The Athletics selected MacIver from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The Athletics are swapping out Jhonny Pereda for MacIver as the backup catcher. MacIver has hit the ball well at Triple-A this season, slashing .389/.469/.548 with two home runs, 30 RBI, 27 runs scored and two stolen bases across 147 plate appearances. The 28-year-old MacIver could make his MLB debut sometime this weekend against the Phillies.

Gipson-Long (elbow/hip) will continue his rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Gipson-Long had been rehabbing with High-A West Michigan, but he'll make his fourth rehab outing with Toledo. The 27-year-old is in the process of being stretched out as he returns from Tommy John surgery and left hip surgery. Gipson-Long threw 46 pitches in his most recent outing and is expected to be activated in early June.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Friday that Smith has been sidelined recently by left elbow soreness, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Previous reports indicated Smith merely had some fatigue. The good news is an MRI on Smith's elbow came back clean, and the discomfort has subsided. Smith is expected to be cleared to play catch soon, but it's unclear when he might be ready to make a start. He's posted a 2.10 ERA and 42:20 K:BB over 25.2 innings covering seven starts this season with Double-A Birmingham.

The Athletics selected Davidson's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Davidson is in line to make his MLB debut against the Phillies at some point this weekend. With Gio Urshela (hamstring) placed on the 10-day injured list, Davidson could be a candidate to make starts at third base for the Athletics. The 27-year-old Davidson has slashed .310/.456/.437 with two home runs, 22 RBI, 30 runs scored and seven stolen bases across 182 plate appearances at Triple-A.

The Athletics transferred Gelof (wrist/ribs) to the 60-day injured list Friday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Gelof will vacate his spot on the 40-man roster in a purely transactional move, as the second baseman has been sidelined since March 26. Gelof had been recovering from surgery on his right wrist but got pulled from his rehab assignment May 5 after being diagnosed with a stress reaction in his ribs. The 25-year-old remains without a timetable for return.

The Athletics recalled Clarke from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

One of the organization's top prospects, the runway has been cleared for Clarke to take over center field duties for the Athletics after JJ Bleday was sent down to Triple-A in a corresponding move. Clarke has slashed .286/.436/.419 with zero home runs, 21 RBI, 25 runs scored, seven stolen bases and a 17.3 percent walk rate across 133 plate appearances at Triple-A this season.

The Athletics placed Urshela (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list Friday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Urshela strained his left hamstring Thursday. With Urshela sidelined, Miguel Andujar, Luis Urias and Logan Davidson are candidates to make starts at third base for the Athletics. Urshela has underwhelmed with a .224/.276/.337 slash line this season.