MLB Player News

Higashioka is absent from the lineup for Friday's game versus the Red Sox.

Higashioka was behind the dish for Thursday's opener and went 1-for-4 with an RBI double, but he will yield to Jonah Heim for the second game of the series. The catching duties for the Rangers are likely to be split fairly evenly between the two players this season.

Dubon is not in the lineup for Friday's tilt against the Mets, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

All signs had pointed to Dubon opening the season as the Astros' starting second baseman, but he's now been on the bench in favor of Brendan Rodgers for each of the first two games. Dubon should still play plenty in a utility role, but it's clear that Rodgers is higher than him in the second base pecking order right now.

Rodriguez (elbow) threw a bullpen session Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Rodriguez revealed afterward that it was the second time he's thrown from the mound since he received a cortisone shot for his right elbow inflammation. The right-hander is still relatively early on in a ramp-up process that is likely to take several more weeks, but he is moving in a positive direction.

Mateo will start at shortstop and bat ninth in Friday's game against the Blue Jays.

Mateo was a somewhat surprising inclusion on the Orioles' Opening Day roster after seeing limited Grapefruit League action as he worked his way back from UCL reconstruction surgery on his non-throwing elbow. He entered Thursday's contest late on defense and will get the start in the second game of the series.

Urias is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Orioles.

Urias got the start at third base in Thursday's opener, going 0-for-4 with a walk. The Orioles are slotting Jordan Westburg in at third Friday while Jackson Holliday plays second base and Jorge Mateo handles shortstop.

Lukes is starting in center field and batting eighth in Friday's game against the Orioles.

The Blue Jays went with George Springer in center field for Thursday's opener, but Springer will slide over to right field Friday while Alan Roden handles left and Anthony Santander occupies the designated hitter slot. Lukes will see reps in center field versus righties until Daulton Varsho (shoulder) returns, but with Springer, Roden and Myles Straw also on hand to handle the position, the division of playing time remains unclear.

Clement is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Orioles.

Clement got the call at third base in the opener and went hitless in three trips to the plate. The Blue Jays are going with Will Wagner at third base in the second game of the series while Clement heads to the bench.

The Rangers optioned Corbin to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Corbin signed a one-year deal with Texas on March 18, so rather than having him rush through his throwing progression, he will begin the year in the minors to continue building up at a more comfortable pace. He's expected to make two starts at Round Rock before potentially slotting into the Texas rotation for the team's series in Seattle that runs from April 11 through 13. Corbin is coming off a 2024 season with the Nationals in which he submitted a 5.62 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 174.2 innings.

The Rangers placed Bradford (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Bradford has been diagnosed with a left elbow sprain since being scratched from a Cactus League start March 12, with manager Bruce Bochy relaying that the southpaw would be shut down from throwing for four weeks. Even if Bradford is cleared to begin a throwing program by mid-April, he'll likely need at least another month to get stretched back out and complete a rehab assignment. Any setback along the way would make him a candidate to move to the 60-day IL.

The White Sox outrighted Colas to Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.

Colas is no longer on Chicago's 40-man roster but will remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 26-year-old has slashed only .223/.271/.309 in 88 games at the big-league level.