MLB Player News

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said that Spence will start Thursday's game against the Twins in Sacramento, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Spence made 24 starts for the Athletics as a rookie in 2024, but he's worked exclusively out of the bullpen so far this season, logging a 4.38 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 37:14 K:BB in 39 innings. Though manager Mark Kotsay specifically referred to Spence as a starter rather than opening pitcher for Thursday's contest, the right-hander is still expected to have a relatively limited workload, given that he'll be pitching on three days' rest and hasn't covered more than 4.1 innings or tossed more than 56 pitches in any of his 22 appearances on the season. If Spence fares well in his start Thursday, the Athletics could have him continue getting more stretched out while keeping him in the rotation on a longer-term basis.

Stanton (elbows) is tracking toward making his season debut around mid-June, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports.

Stanton is at the Yankees' spring training complex in Florida and could remain there to work out and take at-bats through the weekend. He's likely to begin a short rehab assignment after that, possibly as soon as early next week. Stanton is coming back from tennis elbow in both arms. The Yankees will have some decisions to make with their lineup upon Stanton's return, as they've already had to juggle playing time in the outfield and designated hitter between Ben Rice, Jasson Dominguez (thumb) and Trent Grisham. Stanton's arrival will only cloud that picture.

Correa (back) confirmed after Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Athletics that he will remain out of the lineup for Thursday's series finale in Sacramento, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports. "We're taking the smart option of taking these two days [off] so I can go back home and play at home," Correa said, regarding his exclusion from the lineup Wednesday and Thursday. "I'm not going to be slipping at the plate."

Correa was scratched from the starting nine ahead of Wednesday's contest due to back tightness, an issue that he said was causing him to slip in the batter's box recently. The veteran shortstop and the Twins both agreed it was in his best interest to get two days off to allow his back pain to subside, but the expectation is that he'll be back in the lineup Friday versus the Blue Jays. Brooks Lee got the start at shortstop in Correa's stead Wednesday and will likely fill in for Correa again Thursday.

Mayer went 0-for-2 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 11-9 win over the Angels.

Mayer earned his first career RBI in the majors in an underwhelming fashion: he walked with the bases loaded in the first inning. He was eventually removed from the game against a lefty reliever. Mayer is typically out of the starting lineup against southpaws, but he held his own against them in the minors this season with a .712 OPS. The infield prospect is batting .188 (6-for-32) with three walks, two doubles and three runs scored over his first nine games in the majors.

The Twins are expected to recall Festa from Triple-A St. Paul to start Thursday's game against the Athletics, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Previous reports indicated Festa would join the big club for this weekend's series against Toronto as a replacement for Pablo Lopez (shoulder), but he will instead start Thursday while the rest of the rotation gets some extra rest. Festa missed a couple weeks of action in May with right arm fatigue, but he's yielded only one run with a 12:2 K:BB over 8.2 innings since returning. The righty holds a 1.38 ERA and 15:5 K:BB across 13 frames this season in the majors. With Lopez set to miss 8-to-12 weeks, Festa could remain in the Minnesota rotation indefinitely.

The Angels signed Fulmer to a minor-league contract Wednesday.

Fulmer had spent the season at Triple-A Indianapolis in the Pirates organization, posting a 4.64 ERA and 38:16 K:BB over 42.2 innings in six starts and seven relief appearances before being released Monday. The 31-year-old was in the majors with the Angels for 40 games from 2023 to 2024, collecting a 4.00 ERA and 87:44 K:BB across 96.2 frames. Fulmer will provide swingman depth at Triple-A Salt Lake.

Winn walked one and struck out one over a scoreless eighth inning in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Rays.

Winn has been effective out of the Rangers' bullpen, allowing four hits and three walks while striking out six over seven scoreless innings. That extended a scoreless run that started at Triple-A Round Rock, where he hadn't been scored upon in 23.1 relief innings. Walks can still be an issue for Winn, but the former starter may have found a bullpen niche for himself.

Martin (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

The report indicates the Rangers are in a "holding pattern" with Martin, who is expected to throw another bullpen before the recently turned 39-year-old right-hander is reassessed. Martin landed on the 15-day injured list with shoulder fatigue, and the hope was that he could avoid a rehab assignment.

Manzardo went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Yankees.

Manzardo's eighth-inning homer finished the scoring and snapped his 15-game long-ball drought. He'd entered the contest mired in a slump, batting .180 (9-for-50) with three RBI during that span. Manzardo is up to 11 home runs and 29 RBI while batting .211 over 54 games.

Martinez went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Yankees.

Martinez gave the Guardians all they would need when he swatted a homer just two batters into the game. It was the fourth homer in 46 games for Martinez and third over the last 12. A wrist injury to Lane Thomas in April -- Thomas is currently out with a foot injury -- opened the door for Martinez, and he's parlayed that into a regular gig. That doesn't mean he's not susceptible to falling out of the lineup. After a hot start initially upon his arrival from Triple-A Columbus, Martinez is batting just .202 (22-for-109) with a .586 OPS over 32 games since April 28.