MLB Player News

Lowe (oblique) took about 20 dry swings Saturday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Lowe said after the swinging session that his oblique feels good and added that he is hoping to start hitting off a tee next week. That still probably puts him at least two weeks from playing in games, but the veteran outfielder said that he is "pleased with his progress." Lowe will likely need a minor-league rehab assignment before he's ready to rejoin the Rays.

Eflin (lat) threw from 120 feet Sunday and said he feels great, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Eflin was placed on the injured list April 9 due to a low-grade right lat strain, but he appears to be making good progress in his recovery. The right-hander has expressed optimism that his absence will be short, though it's not yet clear if he'll need a rehab assignment once he's cleared to resume pitching in games. Eflin is expected to throw a bullpen soon as the next step in his ramp-up, per Kubatko.

Giolito (hamstring) will make his fourth minor-league rehab start Sunday with Double-A Portland and is expected to require an additional rehab start after that before being activated from the 15-day injured list, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

The right-hander began his rehab stint by allowing just one run over 5.2 frames across his first two starts, but he was tagged for three runs over two innings his last time out Tuesday. He's struggled with his control so far, logging a 9:7 K:BB across his 7.2 frames. Boston is expected to get Brayan Bello (shoulder) back from the IL on Tuesday, making Giolito's return slightly less urgent, though Kutter Crawford (knee) and Richard Fitts (pectoral) also remain on the shelf and with unclear timelines to return.

Leiter (finger) will make a rehab start with Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Leiter landed on the injured list April 4 due to a blister on his right middle finger and is already eligible for activation, but he'll get in at least one rehab outing before rejoining the Rangers' rotation. The right-hander started the season strongly before the blister popped up, as he allowed just one earned run and posted a 10:1 K:BB over 10 innings across his first two starts, each of which resulted in a win. If Leiter's rehab start Tuesday goes well, he could be back in the major-league rotation as soon as next Sunday against San Francisco, per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News.

The Rangers optioned Duran to Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Texas needed to clear a spot on the 26-man roster for the return of Wyatt Langford (oblique), and Duran was the recipient of a demotion. The 26-year-old has been unable to get going offensively this season, as he's 0-for-14 with four strikeouts so far. The Rangers will look for Duran to get his bat on track with Round Rock.

Langford (oblique) was activated from the injured list Sunday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Langford said Saturday that he expected to be activated Sunday, and that has indeed come to pass following a final evaluation in the morning. He was originally left out of Texas' lineup, but he's now slated to start in left field and bat fifth. In a corresponding move, Ezequiel Duran was sent down to Triple-A.

Rice (elbow) isn't in the Yankees' starting lineup Sunday against Tampa Bay, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Rice was plunked in the left elbow against the Rays on Saturday and was lifted from the game in the sixth inning. X-rays and a CT scan both returned negative, and Rice was diagnosed with a left elbow contusion. The 26-year-old doesn't appear to be dealing with a serious injury, but he'll begin on the bench Sunday while Aaron Judge gets a turn at DH.

The Mariners designated Lawrence for assignment Sunday, Tim Booth of the Seattle Times reports.

Lawrence was designated for assignment Monday but cleared waivers and rejoined the organization Wednesday before being recalled to the big club Friday. He pitched in back-to-back contests Friday and Saturday, allowing an unearned run over two hitless innings. His removal from the roster again Sunday corresponds with fellow hurler Sauryn Lao getting his first major-league call-up.

The Mariners called up Lao from Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday.

Lao has started all three games in which he has pitched in the minors this season, but he's tossed only three frames in each of those appearances and is likely to work in the bullpen while up with Seattle. The right-hander has been effective with Tacoma, posting a 2.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 7:1 K:BB over nine innings. To make room for Lao on the 40-man roster, the Mariners are designating Casey Lawrence for assignment, per Tim Booth of the Seattle Times.

Bello (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the injured list early next week and start against Seattle on Tuesday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

This falls in line with recent comments by Red Sox manager Alex Cora that Bello's Double-A start this past Wednesday would be his last. Over four starts during his minor-league rehab assignment, Bello pitched to a poor 7.07 ERA and 1.57 WHIP, but he posted an excellent 21:4 K:BB over 14 innings and worked up to 71 pitches in his most recent appearance. Bello could be on a pitch count of some sort in his season debut, as he didn't log any game action during spring training.