MLB Player News

Caratini will start at catcher and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Royals.

Caratini has been a beneficiary of Yordan Alvarez's (hand) recent move to the injured list, which has freed up a regular spot in the lineup at designated hitter. The Astros haven't settled on any one player to replace Alvarez, but because top backstop Yainer Diaz has been included in the DH rotation, Caratini has seen his playing time pick up. Caratini will be making his fourth start in five games Wednesday.

Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals.

Smith will hit the bench after he occupied right field in each of the previous four games while going 3-for-13 with three walks, three runs and one RBI. With Jose Altuve shifting back to left field Wednesday after starting at second base and designated hitter in the first two games of the series, Zach Dezenzo will slide over to right field, leaving no room in the lineup for Smith.

Isbel is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros.

The lefty-hitting Isbel started in Tuesday's 2-1 loss against Astros southpaw Framber Valdez, but the outfielder will hit the bench Wednesday while Houston sends a second straight lefty (Colton Gordon) to the bump. Mark Canha will enter the lineup as a replacement for Isbel, manning left field and batting sixth.

Williams did not factor into the decision Wednesday, giving up two runs on four hits and one walk over five innings in a 9-5 loss to the Brewers. He struck out six.

The right-hander allowed a run on two hits and a walk during the second inning and a solo homer in the fifth, but he was otherwise able to keep Milwaukee in check. Williams has surrendered just two runs with a 14:5 K:BB in his past two starts, but he covered five frames in both outings and hasn't pitched into the sixth inning since April 21. He has a 4.29 ERA and 1.64 WHIP through nine starts this year and lines up to face the Twins on the road early next week.

Heim is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

Kyle Higashioka will draw a start behind the plate while Heim takes a seat for the second time in the series. Heim still appears to be the Rangers' preferred option behind the plate, though he'll likely be subject to more frequent rest days now that Higashioka is back in the fold after a recent stint on the injured list.

Ramirez went 1-for-3 with a walk, a three-run homer and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 9-5 loss against the Brewers.

The 32-year-old launched a three-run shot to center field during the eighth inning to cut into a 7-2 deficit, but Cleveland was unable to rally any further. It was Ramirez's second homer in as many days, which brings his total to eight for the season. In addition to the long balls, the third baseman continues to be one of the most productive hitters in the league with 12 steals and a .295/.363/.510 slash line through 41 games.

The Red Sox recalled Criswell from Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Criswell -- who is with the Red Sox in Detroit -- will take the spot on the 26-man roster vacated by Tanner Houck (forearm), who was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Criswell made three appearances for the Red Sox out of the bullpen this season, but he's started in four games in Triple-A and could be part of the rotation while Houck is on the shelf. Criswell made 18 starts (in 26 outings) for the Red Sox in 2024 and posted a 6-5 record with a 4.08 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 73:31 K:BB across 99.1 innings.

The Red Sox placed Houck on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, retroactive to Tuesday, with a right flexor pronator strain, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Houck was shelled for 11 runs in just 2.1 innings during his last start against Detroit on Monday, and his injury may have been a contributing factor to his poor performance. He'll now spend at least a couple of weeks on the shelf to ensure he gets back to 100 percent for his next outing; meanwhile, Cooper Criswell will come up from Triple-A Worcester to claim the open spot on the big-league roster, and potentially the Sox's rotation.

Palacios is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.

Palacios will hit the bench for the second day in a row while the Reds send another lefty (Nick Lodolo) to the bump. Though he's been holding down a strong-side platoon role in right field lately, Palacios' playing time could soon fall by the wayside. Mike Tauchman (hamstring) and Austin Slater (knee) are both in the midst of rehab assignments and could form the White Sox's preferred platoon arrangement in right field upon their returns from the 10-day injured list.

Joyce underwent surgery to repair his right shoulder Wednesday and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

The Angels shut down Joyce's throwing program earlier in the month after he reported further discomfort in his shoulder. Rather than waiting to see if more rest would do the trick, the 24-year-old righty opted to go under the knife to address the issue, sacrificing the rest of his season in the process. He'll close the book on 2025 with three earned runs allowed in 4.1 innings and shift his focus toward getting ready for the start of the '26 campaign.