MLB Player News

Astros manager Joe Espada said that Javier (shoulder) will be activated from the 60-day injured list Friday and work out of the bullpen, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Before landing on the IL on April 10 due to a Grade 2 shoulder strain, Javier struggled over his three starts with Houston, coughing up 13 earned runs while striking out four batters and walking nine in 9.1 innings. Javier had been building up a starter during his rehab assignment and most recently tossed six shutout innings for Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, but the Astros won't open up a spot for him in their crowded rotation. Espada noted that Javier's move to the bullpen isn't necessarily permanent, though it may take an injury to or poor performance by another starter before the 29-year-old righty receives another look in the rotation.

The Athletics announced Wednesday that Lasko underwent spinal decompression and stabilization surgery resulting from a C6-C7 vertebra fracture, which he sustained in a collision in the outfield with a teammate during a game Tuesday with Double-A Midland, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Lasko needed to be stretchered off the field after the frightening collision, which delayed the game for several minutes. The 24-year-old outfielder is in stable condition following surgery but is without a timeline to return to game action. Lasko has produced a .210/.275/.362 slash line with six home runs and five stolen bases in 74 games with Midland this season.

The Astros rescinded Teng's option and placed him on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right knee sprain, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Teng had been sent down to Triple-A Sugar Land following Saturday's start versus the Tigers, but it's been determined he suffered an injury before that transaction and will instead hit the injured list. It's unclear how long the right-hander might be sidelined.

Pena (calf) did some light running at Daikin Park on Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pena was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday due to a left calf strain that had been lingering. The Astros are optimistic that the shortstop can return when his 10 days are up, and his ability to do some light running already bodes well for potentially reaching that goal. Raynel Delgado is filling in at shortstop for the Astros on Wednesday versus the Twins after Nick Allen manned the position the previous two days.

Sousa (elbow) will throw a simulated game at Daikin Park on Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Sousa has been limited to only five appearances for the Astros this season, first missing time due to an oblique strain and more recently battling left elbow inflammation. He's been shelved for nearly two months but appears close to throwing in a game. Sousa appears unlikely to join the Astros' active roster before the All-Star break.

The Royals placed Seabold on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right lat strain.

Seabold had to be pulled from an appearance Tuesday against the Rays because of the injury. The severity of the strain is unclear, but even a mild one could result in an absence beyond the 15-day minimum. Seabold has pitched for three different teams this season, collecting a 5.25 ERA and 20:11 K:BB across 24 frames.

The Royals optioned Cerantola to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Cerantola had a disastrous outing Tuesday versus the Rays, walking six of the nine batters he faced while surrendering a pair of runs. He'll head back to Omaha as the Royals replace him with a fresh bullpen arm.

The Royals recalled Dobnak from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Dobnak previously saw big-league action with the Twins over parts of five seasons from 2019 through 2025, but he'll be making his Royals debut once he gets into a game. The 31-year-old righty opened the season in the rotation at Triple-A Tacoma in the Mariners organization before being traded in mid-June to the Royals, who immediately added him to their 40-man roster. Over 80.2 innings at the Triple-A level this season, Dobnak has produced a 4.35 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 49:25 K:BB. The right-hander looks set to initially work out of the bullpen for Kansas City, though he could be a candidate to start Thursday versus the Rays if Stephen Kolek (personal) isn't activated from the bereavement list in advance of that game.

The Royals selected Cuas' contract from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Cuas holds a 3.31 ERA and 33:19 K:BB over 32.2 innings this season at Omaha. The 32-year-old hasn't pitched in the majors since 2024 and will likely fill a low-leverage relief role.

Collins is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

The Royals will go with Tyler Tolbert in left field while Collins retreats to the bench as the Rays send southpaw Shane McClanahan to the bump. A switch hitter, Collins has been far more effective against righties (.339 wOBA, 116 wRC+) than lefties (.299 wOBA, 89 wRC+) over parts of three big-league seasons.