MLB Player News

The Athletics are expected to call up Clarke from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Clarke is among the organization's top prospects, and his status has risen quickly within the last year after he made a mechanical adjustment at the plate. While he's played in a hitter-friendly environment in Las Vegas this season, Clarke has struck out at a modest 22 percent clip while walking in 18 percent of his plate appearances and providing a .300/.449/.440 slash line with seven stolen bases. His power may not immediately translate to the majors, but he has elite speed and is an above-average defender in center field. His arrival to the big leagues could result in the struggling JJ Bleday moving into a fourth-outfielder role.

Mariners manager Dan Wilson said that Woo remains on track to make his next scheduled start Saturday against the Astros after being struck in the lower leg by a foul ball Thursday, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

A hard-hit foul ball in the eighth inning of Thursday's game in Houston traveled into the Seattle dugout and struck Woo, who headed back to the clubhouse for further evaluation. According to Wilson, Woo sustained some bruising to his leg, but the Mariners don't believe the issue will put the right-hander's next turn through the rotation in jeopardy. Through nine starts this season, Woo has gone 5-1 with a 2.65 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 55:8 K:BB across 57.2 innings.

Flaherty (2-6) allowed three runs on three hits across 6.2 innings and took the loss Thursday against the Guardians. He walked three and struck out eight.

Flaherty logged his first quality start since April 22 but still sustained his sixth loss over his last seven starts. The righty has struggled to keep the ball in the park recently, as he allowed a home run Thursday and has now served up 10 long balls across 36.2 innings during those seven appearances. Overall, Flaherty is sitting with a 4.39 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 64 strikeouts in 53.1 innings this season, and he'll look to get back into the win column in his next outing, which is tentatively penciled in for Tuesday against the Giants.

Rodriguez was scratched from Thursday's lineup against the Astros due to back tightness, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez was scratched roughly 30 minutes prior to first pitch Thursday after experiencing a back issue during batting practice. Manager Dan Wilson said Rodriguez is considered day-to-day, so his status is unclear for Friday's game against the Astros.

Gilbert (elbow) is scheduled to throw a simulated game ahead of Friday's game against the Astros, Tim Booth of the Seattle Times reports.

Gilbert threw his first up-and-down bullpen session last Saturday, and he's now set to advance in his throwing progression. The right-hander is working his way back from a right elbow flexor strain, and he still has a chance to return to the Mariners' rotation before the end of May if all continues to go well. That said, Seattle's plans for Gilbert remain undecided as it relates to a possible rehab assignment, but the righty's next steps should become clearer following Friday's session.

Westburg (hamstring) is expected to return in early June, MLB.com reports.

Westburg has been recovering on the injured list since April 27 due to a strained left hamstring, and this timeline suggests he's beginning to progress after suffering a setback two weeks ago. Baltimore's plans remain uncertain as it pertains to a potential rehab assignment for the infielder, but it's likely Westburg will need to get some reps in the minor leagues since he'll soon have been sidelined for over a month. In the meantime, Ramon Urias should continue to serve as the Orioles' primary third baseman.

Torres exited Thursday's game against the Guardians due to lower right leg discomfort, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Torres was pulled after hitting a hard line drive to end the third inning. It's unclear how serious the issue is, or if Torres will be forced to miss additional time.

Mastrobuoni will hit eighth and play right field Thursday against the Astros.

Mastrobuoni was not originally in Thursday's lineup but will enter to play right field after Julio Rodriguez (undisclosed) was a late scratch. Leody Taveras will shift from right field to center field.

Rodriguez was scratched from Thursday's lineup against the Astros for undisclosed reasons, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The Mariners said that any update would not come until after Thursday's game, so there is no indication as to why Rodriguez was scratched.

Torres was removed from Thursday's game against the Guardians in the fourth inning, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

There was no injury announced and no clear issue before Torres exited the contest, so this will be a situation to monitor as more details emerge. Andy Ibanez entered the game at second base to take his place.