MLB Player News

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Walls was scratched from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros due to groin soreness, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Cash is hopeful that Walls will be available to play following a scheduled off day Thursday. Jose Caballero will take Walls' spot at shortstop Wednesday, with Curtis Mead entering the lineup at third base.

Blanco has been sent back to Houston to be evaluated after reporting right elbow soreness Monday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Blanco had been scheduled to start this weekend against the Mariners, but his status is now up in the air as he gets examined by doctors Wednesday. An update on the right-hander's condition should be available later this week.

Walls is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Walls had been included in the initial lineup the Rays released, but he'll end up sitting. Jose Caballero will get the nod at shortstop in place of Walls, who had started in each of the Rays' previous four games while going 1-for-13 with a walk, a stolen base, an RBI and a run scored.

The Orioles optioned McDermott to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

McDermott struggled in a spot start Wednesday versus the Brewers, yielding three runs on four hits and five walks over 4.2 frames. With McDermott now in the minors, the Orioles will have an opening in their rotation Sunday in Boston.

The Orioles activated Kittredge (knee) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Kittredge is ready to make his season and Orioles debuts after recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery in early March. The veteran reliever is lined up to serve in a setup role, although he could be eased into high-leverage situations.

The Astros optioned Walter to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Walters spun five scoreless frames and struck out five in a start Tuesday versus the Rays, but he nonetheless finds himself back in the minors a day later. The left-hander has likely earned future starts at some point later this season.

The Astros activated Whitley (knee) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Whitley has dealt with two separate knee injuries this season that have limited him to only one appearance with the Astros. He tossed two perfect innings with four strikeouts during his most recent rehab assignment and is ready to rejoin the Houston bullpen.

Dezenzo is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest at Tampa Bay.

Dezenzo's playing time has dipped lately, as he has now started every other game across the last five contests. Mauricio Dubon will cover left field and hit ninth for the Astros on Wednesday.

Jansen is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros.

Jansen caught both of the first two contests of the series, so he will get a breather in Wednesday's matinee. Ben Rortvedt will be behind the dish and bat ninth for the Rays.

Simpson (hand/face) will start in left field and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Astros, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Simpson will be back in the lineup for the first time since Saturday, when he exited early in the Rays' 4-0 win over the Marlins due to a sore hand and some facial injuries. He wasn't available for the series finale versus Miami on Sunday, but Simpson was deployed off the bench in both of the first two games against Houston and contributed a pair of stolen bases Monday. His absences from the lineup Monday and Tuesday likely had more to do with the Astros sending lefties to the hill, but the left-handed-hitting Simpson will pick up a start Wednesday against Houston right-hander Hunter Brown.