MLB Player News

The Angels recalled Kavadas from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

Kavadas has gotten off to a strong start in the minors, slashing .248/.376/.450 with five homers, 20 RBI and 16 runs scored through 133 plate appearances. He'll return to the Angels to fill the void left by Mike Trout's (knee) move to the injured list, though the 26-year-old is likely to come off the bench most of the time while with the big club.

The Angels placed Trout on the 10-day injured list Friday with a left knee contusion.

The Angels haven't announced a return timeline for Trout but have said that he isn't dealing with any structural damage in his knee, so there's hope that he won't need much more than a minimum-length stay on the injured list. Niko Kavadas will come up from Triple-A Salt Lake to fill the open spot on the active roster, and Jorge Soler will likely take over as the Halos' primary right fielder until Trout returns.

Kittredge (knee) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Aberdeen on Sunday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Kittredge has progressed swiftly after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee during spring training. He will need several rehab outings before joining the Orioles' active roster, but the veteran reliever should be back before the end of May if all goes well.

Eflin (lat) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Aberdeen on Sunday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

It sounds like it could be the only rehab start he needs, as the Orioles have an opening in the rotation May 10 against the Angels that they hope is filled by Eflin. The veteran right-hander has been sidelined since early April with a right lat strain but resumed mound work last weekend and is ready to return to game action.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Friday that Rodriguez (lat/elbow) will get re-imaged in a few weeks and could be cleared to resume throwing at that time, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Rodriguez started the season on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation and was recently moved to the 60-day IL after being diagnosed with a mild right lat strain. With the resumption of a throwing program not happening until at least late May, Rodriguez is probably looking at a midseason return even in a best-case scenario. For what it's worth, Elias said Friday that he expects Rodriguez to return later this season.

The Rangers recalled Ornelas from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

The 24-year-old will fill the roster spot of Nick Ahmed, who was designated for assignment Friday. Ornelas will provide some infield depth with Corey Seager (hamstring) on the injured list, but it'll be Josh Smith operating as the regular shortstop.

The Rangers designated Ahmed for assignment Friday.

Ahmed's removal from the 40-man roster clears a spot for the addition of Blaine Crim. The veteran shortstop is hitless in 10 plate appearances during his time with the big club this season.

The Rangers optioned Burger to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Burger has hit just .190 with a 29.6 percent strikeout rate across his first 108 plate appearances this season, so the Rangers have elected to send him to Round Rock for a while to get his swing in order. The expectation is that he will eventually regain his starting job at first base with the big club, but there's no timeline for when that might happen. For now, the Rangers could use a combination of Blaine Crim, Josh Smith, Joc Pederson and Dustin Harris at first base.

The Rangers selected Crim's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Crim has slashed .313/.365/.565 with seven home runs this season at Round Rock, although it's his third year there and he will turn 28 next month. He could see regular reps at first base while Jake Burger tries to get his swing straightened out at Round Rock.

The Royals transferred Marsh (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Friday.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Luke Maile. Marsh re-started a throwing program last week after being shut down for a bit, but he will need several weeks to ramp up, so the move to the 60-day IL doesn't alter his timetable.