MLB Player News

Manager Bruce Bochy said Saturday that Gray (groin) won't require a minor-league rehab assignment, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Gray has been on the shelf since July 29 and began throwing off a mound earlier this week. While he seemingly has a ways to go before being fully stretched out, the Rangers are opting to keep Gray with the team instead of sending him out on a rehab assignment. According to Wilson, Gray speculated that he could pitch out of the bullpen for the Rangers during a three-game series against the Pirates that begins Monday. Though a Monday return may be ambitious, a temporary move to the bullpen could be part of Gray's ramp-up period before rejoining the rotation.

Bregman (elbow) is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the White Sox.

Bregman is expected to sit for the weekend series due to inflammation in his right elbow. Shay Whitcomb will start at third base and bat eighth in Saturday's contest.

Smith is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's contest against the Twins.

Smith will retreat to the dugout after going 0-for-7 with one run scored across the first two games of the series. Carson Kelly will serve as the designated hitter and bat eighth against Twins right-hander David Festa.

The Astros recalled Martinez from Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

He'll provide a fresh arm to the Houston bullpen after Ryan Pressly was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move due to a lower-back strain. Over his 41 appearances with Houston before he was optioned to Sugar Land on July 31, Martinez posted a 2.92 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 49.1 innings.

Berti (calf) has been cleared for full baseball activity and could begin a minor-league rehab assignment next week, per MLB.com.

Berti's last game action took place May 24, so he'll likely need to play in multiple minor-league contests before he's deemed ready to return to the big club. The utility man slashed .273/.322/.327 with a home run, six RBI, six runs and four steals over 17 games with New York prior to landing on the IL due to a calf strain. Upon his return, Berti will probably see action at multiple positions, though he's unlikely to have an everyday role.

The Astros placed Pressly on the 15-day injured list due to a lower-back strain, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

It's unclear when exactly Pressly sustained the strain, but he's given up one earned run in each of his last four outings. In his 10 outings since the All-Star break, he's recorded six holds and two blown saves with a 4.50 ERA and 1.80 WHIP over 10 innings. Seth Martinez was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move.

Chisholm (elbow) said Friday that he expects to start swinging a bat "in a day or two," per MLB.com.

Chisholm's outlook continues to get rosier after initial fears that he may need season-ending surgery following his placement on the injured list Wednesday. The 26-year-old indicated Friday that he hasn't felt any pain since the day after spraining his UCL while sliding into home plate against the White Sox on Aug. 12. Chisholm hasn't yet resumed baseball activities, but that could be coming soon, and in the meantime he's been working with the Yankees' training staff on exercises to strengthen his shoulders. Though it may be overly optimistic, Chisholm suggested that he could be activated from the injured list as soon as he's eligible Aug. 24.

The White Sox transferred Clevinger (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Saturday.

Clevinger underwent season-ending disc replacement surgery Aug. 1. His move to the 60-day IL opened a spot on the 40-man roster, which will go to waiver pickup Enyel De Los Santos.

The White Sox placed Wilson on the 15-day injured list due to a lower-back strain.

Wilson has appeared in 10 games since being recalled by the White Sox after the All-Star break, allowing 13 runs (12 earned) on 11 hits and nine walks while striking out eight across 8.2 innings. Gus Varland was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte in a corresponding move.

The White Sox recalled Varland from Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday.

Chicago placed reliever Steven Wilson (back) on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Varland was claimed off waivers by the White Sox on Aug. 2 after being designated for assignment by the Dodgers three days prior. He has a 3.00 ERA and 1.83 WHIP across six major-league innings this season.