MLB Player News

Sano isn't in the Angels' lineup for Saturday's game versus the Cubs.

Sano has been held hitless in 13 at-bats over his last four games, so he'll get a day off to regroup against Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs. His absence will allow Luis Guillorme to pick up a start at the hot corner while batting eighth.

Drury isn't in the Angels' lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.

Drury has gone 2-for-14 with three walks and three runs scored since returning from his illness, and he'll catch a breather Saturday while Keston Hiura starts at second base and bats second.

Altuve (hand) isn't in the Astros' lineup for Saturday's game against the Twins, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Altuve was diagnosed with a left hand contusion after getting hit by a pitch during Friday's contest. He'll get a day off Saturday in order to heal while Mauricio Dubon starts at second base and bats seventh.

Raley went 1-for-3 with a two-run double in a win over the Blue Jays on Friday.

Raley's third-inning two-bagger -- only his second extra-base hit in the last nine games -- brought home Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh with what would be the only runs of the night for Seattle. Raley's recent lack of pop has been accompanied by plenty of struggles making any type of contact, as he owns a bloated 39.4 percent strikeout rate and an accompanying lowly .161 average over that aforementioned nine-game span.

Stripling (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Saturday and then head out to Single-A Stockton to start a rehab assignment Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Saturday's bullpen session is the final benchmark for Stripling to clear before a return to game action for the first time since May 24. Stripling is expected to start Stockton's game Tuesday and projected to throw up to 35 pitches. If the outing goes well, he'll be bumped up to Triple-A Las Vegas for his next rehab start or appearance Sunday, July 14.

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

Since being claimed off waivers from Baltimore in May, Ort has allowed just one earned run in 12 innings with Sugar Land while striking out 17 batters and walking four. His dominant performance has now earned him another shot in the majors, and he figures to work in middle relief while with the Astros. Luis Contreras was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Blackburn (foot) will throw a bullpen session Saturday and then report to Single-A Stockton to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

The right-hander is finally on the cusp of a long-awaited return to game action, provided Saturday's bullpen session goes well. Blackburn is slated to follow fellow rehabbing starter Ross Stripling (elbow) out of the bullpen in Stockton's game Tuesday and is projected to throw up to 35 pitches. If the outing goes well, Blackburn will then be slated to bump his rehab assignment up to Triple-A Las Vegas for a likely start or appearance Sunday, July 14.

The Astros optioned Contreras to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Contreras had cruised through 4.1 scoreless innings through his first four MLB appearances, but he'll now be sent back to Triple-A after allowing six earned runs in just 1.2 frames Friday. It's possible he returns to Houston if he gets back to putting up numbers similar to his 1.40 ERA in Triple-A, but for now the Astros will call up Kaleb Ort to replace Contreras in the bullpen.

Schuemann went 1-for-3 with a stolen base in a loss to the Orioles on Friday.

The Athletics strung together three singles as part of their five hits on the night, and Schuemann was able to parlay his one knock into his seventh stolen base of the season. The rookie has reached safely in seven of his last eight games, including four straight, a stretch that's resulted in a slight boost for his .229/.321/.330 slash line across the board and includes three of his steals for the campaign.

Langeliers went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a loss to the Orioles on Friday.

Langeliers' seventh-inning, 412-foot shot to center closed the Athletics' deficit to 3-2, which would turn out to be the final score. It was the 16th homer across 75 games -- and third in the last nine -- for Langeliers, who appears very likely to surpass the career-best 22 he slugged last season if he's able to avoid any extended absences.