MLB Player News

Simpson (mouth) is starting in left field and batting leadoff Tuesday against the Tigers, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

The 25-year-old departed Monday's contest due to a busted lip after his helmet popped off and hit him in the face while he was running the bases, but he's back in the starting nine a day later. Simpson hit out of the No. 5 hole the past four games but will return to the leadoff spot, where he has a .271/.305/.323 slash line in 142 plate appearances this season.

The Astros activated Hader (biceps) from the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

Hader is ready to go after missing the first two months of the season with left biceps tendinitis. He was also shelved down the stretch of last season with a left shoulder strain, though the issues are considered unrelated. Hader posted a 4.15 ERA and 11:3 K:BB over 8.2 innings on a rehab assignment and displayed diminished velocity, averaging just 92.9 mph with his four-seamer in his last rehab appearance. The southpaw should move back into the Houston closer role even if he's unable to rediscover the pep on his heater, though Hader might be eased into high-leverage situations.

The Royals claimed Lugo off waivers from the Angels on Tuesday.

Lugo had been designated for assignment last week after hitting .258/.382/.406 with three home runs, 11 steals and a 23:40 BB:K over 39 games with Double-A Rocket City. The 25-year-old will report to Triple-A Omaha.

The Royals selected Way's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Way earned the call-up by collecting a 4.50 ERA and 42:10 K:BB over 30 innings with Omaha. The 26-year-old right-hander will be making his major-league debut if/when he enters a game.

The Royals optioned Morgan to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Morgan pitched the last two days and three of the last four, so he's being sent out in favor of a fresh bullpen arm. The righty holds a 5.51 ERA and 15:8 K:BB across 16.1 innings during his time with the Royals this season.

Miller (hips) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Lakeland on Tuesday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Miller missed most of 2025 and has gotten a late start to the 2026 season as he works his way back from surgery on both hips. He's finally ready for game action and will eventually move up to the rotation either at Double-A Erie or Triple-A Toledo.

Judge is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Guardians.

It's the first day off this season for Judge, who had started each of the Yankees' first 59 contests this season. Jose Caballero is getting a start in right field as Judge gets a breather.

Garcia (hamstring) remains out of the lineup for Tuesday's contest in Cincinnati.

Garcia will miss a third straight start as he battles a right hamstring strain. A decision regarding a stint on the 10-day injured list for Garcia should be made imminently. Nick Loftin is handling third base for the Royals on Tuesday.

Rafaela (back) is starting in center field and batting second Tuesday against the Orioles, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

The center fielder was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's matchup with the Guardians due to lower-back soreness, but he's apparently in the clear coming off Monday's team day off. Rafaela finished May on a bit of a cold streak with a .671 OPS over his past eight games, but he still has a .275/.340/.430 slash line through 212 plate appearances on the season.

Contreras (wrist) is starting at first base and batting cleanup Tuesday against the Orioles, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

The veteran slugger was held out of Sunday's starting nine due to a nagging hand/wrist injury, but he's good to go after Monday's team off day. Contreras was on fire over the second half of May, collecting six extra-base hits (three home runs), 10 RBI and a .408/.463/.694 slash line over his last 14 games of the month.