MLB Player News

The White Sox optioned Baldwin to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Baldwin has been a regular for the White Sox this season in a super-utility role, but he's managed to slash only .215/.257/.331 over 44 contests. He's clearing out to make room on the active roster for the return of outfielder Austin Slater (knee) from the injured list.

The White Sox activated Slater (knee) from the 10-day injured list Monday.

Slater missed a little over a month of action following surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. He will see regular at-bats versus lefties at the very least, and he could play plenty against righties, too, particularly until Andrew Benintendi (calf) and Mike Tauchman (hamstring) return from the IL. The White Sox will include him in the lineup for Monday's game against Mariners righty Luis Castillo, with Slater starting in left field and batting seventh.

The Royals designated Maile for assignment Monday.

Maile came up at the beginning of May when Salvador Perez was unable to catch due to a hip issue and stuck around a bit as a third catcher even after Perez was cleared to don the catcher's gear. However, the Royals now have a better use for the roster spot. There's a good chance Maile clears waivers.

The Royals activated Clarke from the paternity list Monday.

Clarke missed the weekend series versus the Cardinals while welcoming a new addition to the family, but he's back for the start of a three-game set in San Francisco. The righty has tossed 5.1 scoreless frames with the Royals this season.

Aranda is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros.

After starting in each of the Rays' last eight games, the left-handed-hitting Aranda will take a seat while Tampa Bay faces a lefty starter (Colton Gordon) for the first time since May 9. Curtis Mead will step in at first base in place of Aranda, who owns an excellent .312/.396/.507 slash line on the season but has been far more effective against right-handed pitching (178 wRC+) than lefties (102 wRC+).

Mead will start at first base and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Astros.

Mead will crack the starting nine for the first time since May 9, after he had been on the bench for each of the past eight contests while the Rays opposed right-handed starters. The 24-year-old is batting just .169 on the season and looks like he'll remain in a short-side platoon role for the foreseeable future.

Lowe is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros.

Lowe had started in each of the Rays' four games since being activated from the 10-day injured list Thursday, going 5-for-17 with a home run, a double and a walk. Now that he's healthy again after missing about a month and a half while recovering from the oblique strain he suffered Opening Day, Lowe should play on a near-everyday basis, though the Rays may occasionally hold him out of the lineup against lefties such as the Astros' Colton Gordon, who is on the mound Monday.

Simpson (hand) remains out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros.

While Simpson will be out of the lineup for a second straight day, it sounds like it's more because the Astros are starting a lefty in Colton Gordon, rather than any concerns about the right hand injury that kept him out Sunday. Rays manager Kevin Cash said the rookie outfielder is "good to go" and available off the bench Monday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports. Christopher Morel is in left field and batting third for the Rays on Monday. Simpson could be back in the starting lineup as soon as Tuesday, although the Rays are scheduled to face another southpaw that day in Brandon Walter, so it's possible Tampa Bay holds Simpson back until Wednesday.

Campbell is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Mets.

After slashing just .085/.104/.149 to begin May, Campbell was held out of the lineup for Sunday's 10-4 loss to Atlanta. The rookie will remain on the bench for Monday's series opener, but the Red Sox haven't indicated that Campbell is nursing any sort of injury. Assuming he's healthy, Campbell should remain the Red Sox's top second baseman, though he recently began taking reps at first base and could be an option at that position as Boston seeks a more permanent replacement for Triston Casas (knee), who is out for the season.

Messick has a 1.33 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 31:9 K:BB in 20.1 innings over his last four starts for Triple-A Columbus.

Messick's 11.3 percent walk rate in his first year at Triple-A is the worst mark of his career, but his 33.3 percent strikeout rate trails only Bubba Chandler among qualified International League starters. Messick is a bulky 6-foot lefty with a plus changeup and a fastball that ranges from 89-to-94 mph. He throws the kitchen sink at hitters, and it's been keeping Triple-A batters off balance, especially lately. Messick could get a chance in the majors this summer, although he is not yet on the 40-man roster.