MLB Player News

The Rangers designated Pennington for assignment Wednesday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The Rangers selected Nick Ahmed to the active roster Wednesday to make up for Corey Seager's (hamstring) move to the IL, leaving Pennington as the odd man out of a spot on the 40-man. The 27-year-old southpaw hasn't appeared in a minor-league game yet this season, though other teams may be willing to pick him up off waivers based on his career 2.83 ERA and 1.17 WHIP at the Triple-A level.

The Rangers selected Ahmed's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

With Corey Seager (hamstring) headed to the injured list, Texas will call upon Ahmed to fill the opening on their roster. The 35-year-old hasn't played in a game since re-signing with the Rangers on a minor-league deal last week, but he's been working out at the team's complex in Arizona and figures to serve as the primary shortstop until Seager is healthy. Walter Pennington was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

The Rangers placed Seager on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a right hamstring strain, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Seager was taken out of Tuesday's game early after injuring his hamstring, and he'll now be forced to sit out at least another 10 days. The 30-year-old's injury is relatively mild, however, so the Rangers are optimistic that he won't require much more than a minimum-length stay on the IL. Nick Ahmed will come up from Triple-A to fill the open roster spot and could see regular reps at shortstop until Seager returns.

Simpson isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Simpson has logged a base hit in all three games he's played in the majors so far while also tacking on two stolen bases. He'll get a chance to catch his breath Wednesday, opening a spot in left field for Christopher Morel to start and bat fourth against southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez.

The Blue Jays will decide Thursday whether Varsho (shoulder) will be activated from the 10-day injured list this weekend against the Yankees or if he'll continue his rehab assignment, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The 28-year-old has gone 0-for-10 with four strikeouts across his three rehab games thus far, but the Blue Jays are more concerned with how his arm is recovering game to game as he makes his return from shoulder surgery. Even if it's decided that Varsho needs a few more games in the minors, he should still be able to join the Blue Jays next week.

Walls isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against Arizona, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Walls has gone 0-for-9 over his last three games and will now grab a seat on the bench while Jose Caballero picks up a start at shortstop and bats ninth.

Aranda is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Aranda has four homers and a 1.098 OPS through 21 games this season, but he will take a seat Wednesday with left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez set to toe the slab for Arizona. Curtis Mead will start at first base instead and bat fifth.

Urias is starting at second base and batting ninth Wednesday against the Rangers.

The 27-year-old has worked as a reserve infielder early in the season with four starts each at second and third base, but he should be in line for more consistent playing time after Max Muncy was demoted Wednesday. Zack Gelof (wrist) doesn't appear particularly close to returning from the IL, so at-bats at the keystone should mostly be up for grabs. Urias has certainly earned the additional opportunities with a .304/.370/.565 slash line through 27 plate appearances.

Ellard (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Ellard landed on the 15-day injured list April 11 due to a right hamstring injury, and he's progressed enough in his recovery to embark on a rehab assignment with Charlotte. He logged a 5.40 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 6:4 K:BB across five innings out of the White Sox's bullpen before landing on the IL.

Andujar is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

The 30-year-old has enjoyed a productive start to the season with a .795 OPS through 19 games, but he may still end up being the odd man out of the lineup with prospect Nick Kurtz being called up Wednesday for his MLB debut. Kurtz is expected to play every day between first base and designated hitter, which will result in Tyler Soderstrom and Brent Rooker seeing more action in left field, with Soderstrom receiving the start Wednesday.