MLB Player News

Manager Kevin Cash said Saturday that the Rays expect Palacios (knee) to miss roughly 4-to-6 weeks, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

A right knee sprain sent Palacios to the 10-day injured list Friday. The Rays are still gathering opinions on how to approach the 27-year-old's recovery, but he seems to be in for a long stay on the IL, whether he undergoes surgery or not.

The Astros optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

With Forrest Whitley (knee) returning from the injured list, Hernandez will head back to the minors in order to create space on the active roster. The 30-year-old righty never made an appearance for Houston after being recalled Tuesday, but he could be an option for the Astros later in the year after starting with a 1.29 ERA at Sugar Land.

The Astros reinstated Whitley (knee) from the injured list Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Whitley landed on the injured list at the start of the season due to a bone bruise in his left knee. He has since made four rehab appearances at Triple-A Sugar Land, allowing three runs while striking out five batters and walking four over 3.2 innings. He'll almost certainly work in low-leverage situations for the Astros; meanwhile, Nick Hernandez will head back to Triple-A.

Larnach isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Atlanta.

With southpaw Chris Sale scheduled to take the mound for Atlanta, the left-handed bat of Larnach will stay put on the bench to begin Saturday's contest. Ryan Jeffers will serve as Minnesota's designated hitter instead while Christian Vazquez starts behind the dish.

Castro (oblique) is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against Atlanta.

Castro will officially miss a second consecutive game after leaving Wednesday's game early due to right oblique tightness. Luke Keaschall will start at second base with Jonah Bride at third.

Vazquez (hand) will start at catcher and bat eighth Saturday against Atlanta.

Vazquez has been held out of action ever since suffering a hand injury during Monday's contest, but a few days of rest has him feeling well enough to return behind the dish Saturday. The 34-year-old backstop is off to a poor start to the year, slashing .115/.172/.192 over his first 29 plate appearances.

Morel isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Friday's series opener, Morel will take a seat while Kameron Misner, Chandler Simpson and Jake Mangum start across Tampa Bay's outfield Saturday.

Walls is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Walls owns a .459 OPS across 30 plate appearances over his last eight games and will now take a day to collect himself. Jose Caballero will fill the resulting void at shortstop and bat eighth.

Jansen isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Jansen will get a day off Saturday after going 2-for-15 with eight strikeouts across his last six games. Ben Rortvedt will draw the start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Bellinger isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Tampa Bay.

Bellinger has gone just 2-for-20 across his last six games, and he'll now get a chance to regroup with a day off Saturday. Trent Grisham will take his place in center field and bat seventh.