MLB Player News

The Yankees placed Cruz on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right shoulder inflammation.

Cruz felt a tug in his right trap area recently, which had left him unavailable to pitch. An MRI ruled out structural damage, but he was given a cortisone injection to combat inflammation. According to Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record, Cruz was able to throw off flat ground Thursday despite landing on the IL, so he should have a good chance at being ready to go when he's first eligible for activation June 3.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Yankees.

With the Yankees sending a left-handed starter (Carlos Rodon) to the hill for the second straight day, the left-handed-hitting Pederson will once again remain out of the lineup. Despite facing right-handers in all but nine of his plate appearances on the season, Pederson is still batting just .127, the lowest average among all players in the majors with at least 140 plate appearances. Pederson has struck out at a palatable 19.9 percent clip and has been the victim of a .148 BABIP, so expect the 33-year-old's production to eventually pick up once his batted-ball luck improves.

Kirk is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Padres.

Kirk started the previous three contests behind the plate, so he'll get a breather for Thursday's matinee. Tyler Heineman will catch and bat ninth for the Blue Jays.

Smith is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Yankees.

The left-handed-hitting Smith started at shortstop and batted ninth in Wednesday's 4-3 loss while left-hander Ryan Yarbrough took the hill for the Yankees, but Smith will check out of the lineup for the series finale with New York sending another southpaw (Carlos Rodon) to the bump. Ezequiel Duran will spell Smith at shortstop.

Springer is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Padres.

Springer had two hits in Wednesday's win over the Padres but before that had been in an 0-for-15 rut at the dish. He'll get a breather in the series finale while Nathan Lukes patrols right field for the Blue Jays.

Heim (hand) will start at designated hitter and bat sixth in Thursday's game against the Yankees.

Heim suffered a compressed nerve in his right hand on a base hit in the top of the second inning of Wednesday's 4-3 loss. According to ESPN.com, Heim initially came on the field for the bottom of the second, but after airmailing a throw back to right-hander Jacob deGrom on the first pitch of the inning, the Rangers elected to pull Heim from the game. Bochy relayed after the game that imaging on Heim's hand came back negative, but the Rangers aren't yet ready to deploy the veteran backstop behind the plate. Heim will handle a non-defensive role in the series finale while Kyle Higashioka steps in at catcher.

Santander (hip) is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Padres.

Santander was lifted from Wednesday's 14-0 win after aggravating a left hip injury. The Blue Jays haven't indicated at this point whether Santander might require a trip to the 10-day injured list, but he will need at least a day or two of rest. Daulton Varsho will get a day in the designated-hitter spot, while Myles Straw will patrol center field for the Blue Jays in Thursday's series finale.

Triple-A Columbus reinstated DeLauter (sports hernia) from its 7-day injured list Thursday.

Columbus placed DeLauter on its IL prior to the start of the season after the outfielder required sports hernia surgery in early March. After an extended rest and rehab period, DeLauter was cleared to begin a rehab assignment May 6 in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, where he slashed .182/.357/.455 with two home runs and one stolen base in eight games. The 23-year-old has a checkered injury history, but he remains one of the Guardians' top upper-level prospects and should have a chance at making his MLB debut later on this season if health prevails.

Cruz will play catch Thursday after an MRI on his right shoulder came back negative, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

Cruz felt a pull in his right trap area recently that has left him unavailable to pitch recently. He was given a cortisone shot to combat inflammation and the hope is that he will be able to avoid the injured list, but it's not clear when he might be available to pitch again.

Haggerty started in center field, batted leadoff and went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and was caught stealing in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Yankees.

Haggerty launched his first home run of the season in the seventh inning to give the Rangers a 3-1 lead. He made a fourth straight start in center field since Evan Carter (quadriceps) landed on the 10-day injured list and has hit safely in all four contests. He's also batting leadoff against lefties. Haggerty's making the most of this opportunity and has hit safely in all six games in which he's started. Carter's injury is a Grade 2 strain which will likely require more than the 10-day minimum, so the opportunity for Haggerty could be an extended one.