MLB Player News

Kirk is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Boston.

Kirk caught all 11 innings of Wednesday's extra-innings victory, so he'll get a breather during Thursday's matinee. Tyler Heineman is behind the plate and batting eighth for Toronto.

Guerrero is not in the lineup for Thursday's tilt in Boston.

It's the first day off this season for Guerrero, who is slashing .288/.367/.346 with no home runs in his first 13 contests. Will Wagner will cover first base and bat fifth for the Blue Jays in Thursday's series finale.

The Mariners optioned Castillo to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

Castillo's time with the big-league club was less than spectacular, as he'll head back to the minors after giving up seven runs (six earned) over seven total innings alongside a 5:7 K:BB. With George Kirby (shoulder) not expected back until May, the Mariners are again left with an opening in their rotation, and it's currently unclear who will be chosen next to fill the gap.

The Twins are expected to promote Festa from Triple-A St. Paul to start Friday's game against the Tigers, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

The Twins have an opening in their rotation with Pablo Lopez (hamstring) expected to land on the 15-day injured list. Lopez's next turn would have come Sunday, but the club is electing to bring Festa up Friday and push Chris Paddack and Simeon Woods Richardson each back a day. Festa has permitted six runs (five earned) with an 8:2 K:BB over 8.1 innings in his first two starts with St. Paul this season. He's a candidate to receive additional starts while Lopez is out, although the Twins could also give Zebby Matthews a look.

Bradfield was removed from Thursday's game with Double-A Chesapeake due to left hamstring discomfort, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

The severity of the injury isn't known yet, but if Bradfield suffered a strain it would likely cost him multiple weeks of action. Bradfield, is batting .389 with two stolen bases in his first six contests with the Baysox this season.

Buxton is not with the Twins in Kansas City, as he has returned home to deal with a personal matter, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

The revelation explains why Buxton is not in the lineup Thursday for the second day in a row. The Twins begin a homestand Friday, although it's unclear whether Buxton is expected to be back in the lineup that day. Harrison Bader is handling center field for Minnesota on Thursday.

The Angels selected Davis' contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

Davis was off to a nice start with Salt Lake, slashing .297/.357/.487 with two home runs and 11 RBI in 10 contests. While the 31-year-old could see occasional playing time at third base while Yoan Moncada (thumb) is sidelined, Davis is likely to operate mostly in a reserve role.

The Angels designated Dashwood for assignment Thursday.

With the Angels needing extra corner-infield depth at the big-league level after Yoan Moncada (thumb) landed on the injured list, Dashwood will give up his spot on the 40-man roster to J.D. Davis, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Salt Lake. Dashwood earned a spot on the Angels' 40-man roster this winter after turning in a 2.70 ERA and 0.70 WHIP while striking out 15 over 10 innings in 2024, but he struggled mightily through his first three appearances at Salt Lake this season, giving up 12 earned runs on 11 hits and three walks over two innings. As a 27-year-old relief prospect who has yet to reach the big leagues, Dashwood has a good chance of clearing waivers and remaining in the Angels organization.

The Angels placed Moncada on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a right thumb sprain.

Moncada first injured his thumb back in mid-March. He was included on the Halos' Opening Day roster but has had a pair of setbacks since then, and the club has finally decided a stint on the IL is required. According to Brian Murphy of MLB.com, manager Ron Washington was unwilling to speculate whether Moncada would miss more than the minimum 10 days, as the Angels are still awaiting the results of a recent re-evaluation on his thumb before offering up a timeline for his return. The Angels will likely continue to go with Luis Rengifo as their primary third baseman and Kyren Paris as their primary second baseman while Moncada is shelved.

Rice went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 4-3 win against Detroit.

Rice broke a scoreless tie with a two-run shot to center field in the seventh inning. The second-year slugger batted in the leadoff spot for New York, which he's done four times in the team's past seven games. Rice has been very productive to begin the campaign, slashing .306/.419/.667 with three home runs, two doubles, a triple, four RBI, nine runs and two stolen bases through 43 plate appearances. His 25.6 percent strikeout rate isn't ideal, but Rice has balanced the punchouts with a 16.3 percent walk rate.