MLB Player News

Rooker (knee) is back in the starting lineup and batting fourth as the designated hitter for Friday's game against the Astros.

Rooker got the day off from the starting nine Thursday against the Cubs due to knee soreness, but he's back in there for Friday's series opener versus Houston. Rooker is just 5-for-37 with one homer, two RBI, four runs scored and a 2:13 BB:K over his last 10 games.

Walls (hamstring) is back in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Marlins, playing shortstop and batting ninth.

Walls was removed from Monday's game against the Tigers due to hamstring tightness and didn't start Tuesday or Wednesday ahead of the team's off day Thursday. Walls has an ugly .208/.313/.285 slash line with no homers and 14 RBI across 155 plate appearances this season.

The Athletics designated Kuhnel for assignment Friday.

The 31-year-old Kuhnel was on the mound for the Athletics' ninth-inning collapse Thursday against the Cubs. He allowed four runs on five hits across two-thirds of an inning, blowing a 6-3 lead. Kuhnel pitched to a 4.21 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB across 25.2 innings out of the bullpen this season.

The Athletics recalled Alvarado from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

The team DFA'd Joel Kuhnel in a corresponding move. Alvarado pitched in 10 games out of the Athletics' bullpen earlier this season and posted an 8.38 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and 9:7 K:BB across 9.2 innings. He has a 2.25 ERA and 16:4 K:BB across 12 innings with Las Vegas.

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

Houston needed the spot on the 26-man roster for Jose Altuve, who was activated from the 10-day IL in a corresponding move. Dezenzo has slashed just .191/.255/.340 with one homer, two RBI, five runs scored and a 4:19 BB:K across 51 plate appearances with the Astros this season. He needs to cut down on the strikeouts after fanning 37.3 percent of the time.

Winn (arm) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Winn hasn't pitched since May 23 due to arm fatigue, but he appears ready to see game action. The right-hander has pitched to a 5.59 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB across 19.1 innings out of the Texas bullpen this season.

The Rangers activated Haggerty from the bereavement list Friday and designated him for assignment.

The utility man has appeared in 35 games for the Rangers this season but has slashed .159/.213/.182 with one extra-base hit, one RBI, three runs scored, two stolen bases and a 2:16 BB:K across 47 plate appearances.

Garcia (hamstring) remains out of the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Twins.

Garcia is missing his sixth straight start, though he was able to pinch hit in Thursday's 8-6 win over the Twins. With Garcia absent from the starting nine, Nick Loftin is starting at third base and batting eighth against right-hander Zebby Matthews.

The Astros activated Altuve (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Altuve last played May 16 and didn't require a minor-league rehab assignment after suffering a Grade 2 left oblique strain last month. In 42 games this season, Altuve is slashing .245/.326/.380 with four home runs, 12 RBI, 27 runs scored, one stolen base and a 19:35 BB:K across 185 trips to the plate. His .706 OPS is the lowest it's been since the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

The Rangers activated Langford (forearm) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Langford was diagnosed with a Grade 1 flexor strain in his forearm in late April and slashed .200/.467/.500 with one homer, two RBI, four runs scored, one stolen base and a 5:4 BB:K across 15 plate appearances on his rehab assignment. In 20 games at the big-league level this season, Langford has a disappointing .636 OPS with just one homer and four RBI in 84 trips to the plate.