MLB Player News

The Yankees claimed De La Cruz off waivers from Atlanta on Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

After starting the season with a .453 OPS through 50 plate appearances, De La Cruz was sent down to Triple-A in mid-April and eventually landed on waivers when his performance didn't improve in the minors. He'll remain in Triple-A upon joining his new club but will reclaim a 40-man roster spot, replacing Giancarlo Stanton (elbows).

The Athletics plan to recall Hoglund from Triple-A Las Vegas to start Friday's game against the Marlins, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.

Hoglund has been dominant through six starts in Triple-A, logging a 2.43 ERA and 1.06 WHIP alongside a 30:7 K:BB across 29.2 innings. Thanks to his success, the 25-year-old righty will now come up from the minors to help out an Athletics rotation that owns a 4.66 ERA on the year.

Kelly (glute) is playing catch from 75 feet and is likely to be sidelined until late May or early June, MLB.com reports.

The right-hander landed on the shelf April 11 due to a left gluteal strain, which is an injury he's dealt with previously. Kelly still has significant work to do in his throwing program and is at least a few weeks away from potentially rejoining the active roster.

Taveras is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics.

Though Taveras looks to have a hold on the strong side of a platoon in center field, he'll hit the bench Thursday while the Athletics send southpaw Jeffrey Springs to the bump. Kevin Pillar (back) will be back in action Thursday and will replace Taveras in center.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics.

Pederson will sit for the third time in the four-game series while the Athletics send another southpaw (Jeffrey Springs) to the hill. With Pederson on the bench, Jonah Heim will serve as the Rangers' designated hitter.

Smith is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics.

The left-handed-hitting Smith will retreat to the bench for the series finale while the Athletics send southpaw Jeffrey Springs to the hill. Nick Ahmed will step in at shortstop in place of Smith, who had been included in the lineup in each of the last seven games while batting .192 with no extra-base hits and a stolen base.

Pillar (back) will start in center field and bat leadoff in Thursday's game against the Athletics.

Pillar hadn't played since Monday due to a sore back, but he'll be back in the lineup while the Rangers wrap up their four-game set against the Athletics with a matchup against southpaw Jeffrey Springs. Leody Taveras is expected to continue serving as the Rangers' primary center fielder, though Pillar will usually replace him when Texas faces left-handed pitching.

Pereda will start at catcher and bat ninth in Thursday's game against the Rangers.

Pereda has been with the Athletics since Opening Day but will be making just his sixth start of the season through the team's first 32 games. The 29-year-old will likely continue to see sporadic playing time so long as top backstop Shea Langeliers is healthy.

The Astros optioned Blubaugh to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday.

With the Astros opting to skip Hayden Wesneski's turn through the rotation this week, Blubaugh was summoned from Triple-A on Wednesday to make a spot start in his MLB debut. The 24-year-old was the pitcher of record in Houston's 7-4 loss to Detroit, covering four innings and allowing seven runs (two earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out six. Wesneski is expected to return to action next week and Lance McCullers (forearm) is slated to come off the injured list and start Sunday against the White Sox, so the Astros didn't have room for Blubaugh in the rotation beyond Wednesday.

Palacios is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers.

Palacios will hit the bench after leading off and starting in right field in six of Chicago's last seven games. The 29-year-old slashed .211/.348/.368 during that stretch, but he may have to settle for a spot lower in the batting order the next time he's included in the lineup. The White Sox activated shortstop Chase Meidroth (thumb) from the 10-day injured list Thursday and immediately installed him into the leadoff spot for the series finale versus Milwaukee.