MLB Player News

Varsho is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Guardians.

With left-hander Logan Allen on the mound for Cleveland, the lefty-swinging Varsho will take a seat as Myles Straw gets the start in center field, batting eighth. In three games since returning from the IL to make his season debut, Varsho is slashing .300/.462/.900 with two home runs, three RBI, two runs scored and three walks across 13 plate appearances.

The Athletics optioned Duran to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

Duran was called up earlier this week but didn't make an appearance. The right-hander has posted a 6.75 ERA and 18:12 K:BB over 16 frames at the Triple-A level this season.

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

Hoglund is set to make his major-league debut Friday with a start against the Marlins. The 25-year-old right-hander boasts a 2.43 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 30:7 K:BB over 29.2 frames this season in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. Hoglund should have an opportunity to stick in the big-league rotation for the long haul if he pitches well.

The Rangers signed Blach to a minor-league contract Friday.

Blach has been assigned to the Rangers' Arizona Complex League affiliate for now but should eventually moved up to Triple-A Round Rock. The left-hander made 12 starts and eight relief appearances for the Rockies last season, posting a 6.94 ERA and 36:18 K:BB over 71.1 frames.

Dobbins will start for the Red Sox on Saturday against the Twins, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Brayan Bello is moving up a day to start Friday in place of Walker Buehler (shoulder), so the Red Sox needed someone to slide into Bello's old spot. Dobbins has pitched well in both of his starts for the Red Sox this season, yielding four runs (three earned) with an 11:2 K:BB over 11 innings. He could earn additional starts if Buehler winds up requiring a stint on the injured list.

Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said Friday on MLB Network that he's "hopeful" Gilbert (elbow) will rejoin the rotation before the end of May, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

Gilbert is on the 15-day injured list with a Grade 1 flexor strain in his pitching arm. He's about a week into a two-week shutdown period, so more should be known about a potential timeline for the right-hander late next week. It's not clear whether the Mariners will ask Gilbert to make a rehab start before returning.

Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said Friday on MLB Network that he's "hopeful" Kirby (shoulder) will rejoin the rotation before the end of May, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

Kirby has been ramping up his throwing without issue and could begin a rehab assignment as soon as this weekend. The right-hander will make "at least two, maybe three" rehab starts, per Dipoto. Kirby has been working his way back from right shoulder inflammation, an injury that first cropped up in early March.

Neto went 1-for-4 with a run and a stolen base in a loss to Detroit on Thursday.

Neto extended his hitting streak to seven games with a third-inning single, and he subsequently stole second base before being driven in by a Jorge Soler homer. Neto got a late start to the campaign due to a shoulder injury and initially batted seventh in the order, but he soon moved up to the No. 2 slot and has now batted leadoff for the Halos in three straight games. He's hit well in his 12 contests so far this season, slashing .283/.313/.565 with three home runs, six RBI, seven runs and four stolen bases.

Soler went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's loss to the Tigers.

Soler's two-run blast in the third inning helped the Angels take an early lead, but a late-game bullpen implosion led to the team's sixth straight loss. Soler began May the way he finished April -- with a long ball -- and he's now driven in at least one run in three straight contests. However, the veteran slugger has gone 13 consecutive games without a multi-hit effort and is batting just .180 with a 28.8 percent strikeout rate during that span.

Hamilton started at second base and went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Blue Jays.

Hamilton filled in for Kristian Campbell, who was scratched from the lineup after feeling rib soreness while stretching prior to the game. Hamilton's potential value has been limited due to lack of playing time behind Campbell. Thursday's steal was his third in 14 games, and the activity was his first appearance in a week. He'll be the primary fill-in at the keystone while Campbell is unavailable.