MLB Player News

Cowser (thumb) was seen playing catch Friday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Cowser landed on the 10-day injured list in late March due to a fractured left thumb and was transferred to the 60-day IL on April 28. He has taken the next step in his recovery program by playing catch, though manager Brandon Hyde relayed that Cowser is "a little ways away" from swinging a bat, per Weyrich.

The White Sox plan to promote Elko to the major-league roster Saturday, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

With Andrew Vaughn struggling to the tune of a .516 OPS with the big club, the Sox will now look to jumpstart their production at first base by giving Elko a look in the majors. The 26-year-old has been phenomenal at Triple-A Charlotte this season, slashing .339/.423/.661 with 10 homers and 23 RBI through 130 plate appearances. His first appearance will mark his MLB debut, and he could claim the starting job at first base immediately upon arriving in Chicago.

Soler was scratched from the Angels' lineup against the Orioles on Friday due to groin tightness, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

With Soler removed from the lineup, Jo Adell will start in right field and bat eighth. It's unclear whether the injury is severe enough for Soler to be in jeopardy of missing the Angels' next two games of the home series. He is slashing .231/.292/.431 with six home runs and 16 RBI over 144 plate appearances this season.

Wells isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Athletics.

Wells will take a seat Friday after going 3-for-12 with a home run, five RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base in New York's previous series against the Padres. J.C. Escarra will start behind the plate and bat seventh.

Santander isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Mariners.

Santander will get a breather during Friday's series opener after going 5-for-14 with a homer and four RBI during Toronto's previous series in Anaheim. His absence will put George Springer in the DH spot while Jonatan Clase picks up a start in left field, batting ninth.

The Blue Jays placed Gimenez on the 10-day injured list Friday with a right quadricep strain.

After exiting Wednesday's game against the Angels early, Gimenez underwent imaging Thursday that revealed a strain in his quad which will keep him out until at least May 18. Michael Stefanic will come up from Triple-A Buffalo to give the Jays some short-term infield depth, though Ernie Clement will likely see time at second base going forward with Addison Barger at third and Nathan Lukes picking up starts in the outfield.

The Blue Jays selected Stefanic's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

The move corresponds with the Blue Jays placing Andres Gimenez (quadriceps) on the 10-day injured list. Stefanic signed a minor-league contract with the Blue Jays in November after appearing in 40 games for the Angels in 2024 when he posted a .556 OPS with eight RBI over 124 plate appearances. He's been more productive in the minors this season, slashing .319/.454/.372 with four stolen bases, seven runs scored and 13 RBI in 119 plate appearances. With Gimenez on the shelf, Stefanic should see some playing time at second base on days when Ernie Clement shifts to third.

Kirk isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Mariners.

An 0-for-4 performance against the Angels on Thursday put an end to Kirk's six-game hitting streak, and he'll now get a chance to rest Friday while Tyler Heineman catches for Kevin Gausman.

Pennington cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The 27-year-old was designated for assignment by the Orioles earlier this week but will stick in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. Pennington spent just over a week in the big leagues but didn't see action for Baltimore.

Javier (elbow) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Friday marks the first time Javier has worked off a mound since undergoing Tommy John surgery last June. He still has a long road ahead of him before being cleared to rejoin the Astros' rotation, but his progress is encouraging and keeps him on track to return shortly after the All-Star break.