MLB Player News

Garcia isn't in the Royals' lineup Thursday against the Rays.

Garcia will get a day to rest Thursday after going 1-for-7 with a walk and a run scored through the first two games of the series. His absence will move Michael Massey into second base while Vinnie Pasquantino serves as the DH, putting Salvador Perez at first with Freddy Fermin behind the plate.

Dubin will start Friday's game in Minnesota, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The 28-year-old threw 55 pitches over 3.1 innings in a start against the Mets over the weekend, but that was his first start in either the majors or minors this season. Though Dubin will be making a second straight turn through the rotation, he still could be hard pressed to reach the five innings he would need to qualify for a win.

Frazier (thumb) began a rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Thursday.

Frazier has been on the injured list since June 24 due to a strained right thumb, but he's now been given the green light to test his thumb in a competitive environment. It's unclear how long the 32-year-old will remain in the minors, but a return before the All-Star break remains a possibility.

Angels manager Ron Washington said Thursday that Trout (knee) has started running on a treadmill, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

It's a big step in Trout's recovery as he works his way back from surgery on a torn meniscus in early May. He has also done some hitting on the field. Trout said this past weekend that he expected to return from the injured list by late July, although he certainly has some markers he needs to hit first before making that happen.

The Mariners claimed Ellis off waivers from the Mets on Thursday.

Ellis has bounced around from the White Sox to the Mets and now to the Mariners over the past two weeks. The speedy outfielder has been assigned to Triple-A Tacoma.

Woo (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Everett this weekend, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Woo came out of a bullpen session Wednesday with no concerns, clearing the way for him to make a rehab start. Mariners manager Scott Servais wouldn't rule out a return before the All-Star break for Woo, so it sounds like the right-hander could need just the one rehab outing if all goes well.

Garcia (elbow) felt good following Wednesday's bullpen session and will begin a rehab assignment Saturday with Triple-A Buffalo, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The right-hander will need at least a couple appearances in the minors before being cleared to rejoin the Blue Jays. Chad Green is currently operating as Toronto's closer since Jordan Romano (elbow) is out indefinitely after elbow surgery, but Garcia could be the favorite for saves once reinstated.

Rengifo is not in the lineup Thursday in Oakland after X-rays on his right wrist came back negative, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Rengifo is set to undergo an MRI on Friday to check for structural damage. The super utility player was injured during Wednesday's loss to the Athletics while taking a swing in the ninth inning. Miguel Sano is playing third base for the Angels on Thursday.

Rendon (hamstring) is expected to take live batting practice this weekend and could be activated from the injured list as soon as July 8, per MLB.com.

Rendon hasn't played in a game since straining his left hamstring April 20, but he's recently ramped up his participation in baseball activities and is on the verge of batting against live pitching. The veteran third baseman previously indicated that he was considering agreeing to a minor-league rehab assignment, but it now appears that a rehab stint will be bypassed. Given the amount of time Rendon has been out, the Angels may elect to work him back into the lineup at a careful pace upon his return. However, the team may be in need of reinforcement at third base if Luis Rengifo's wrist injury is more than minor.

Zimmermann (hamstring) allowed a run on two hits and two walks while striking out four over three innings for Triple-A Norfolk in its game versus Durham on Wednesday.

Zimmermann missed nearly two months with the injury. The 29-year-old southpaw has pitched exclusively in the minors this year, though he could be an option for the Orioles in the second half, as the major-league club is in need of pitching help. Zimmermann has a 4.25 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 38:15 K:BB over 42.1 innings with Norfolk and could be a spot starter or long reliever if he gets back to the majors this season.