MLB Player News

Taveras isn't in the Rangers' lineup for Saturday's game against the Orioles.

Taveras will get a breather Saturday after going 3-for-7 with an RBI through the first two games of the series. Derek Hill will fill the void in center field and bat ninth.

Mountcastle isn't in the Orioles' lineup for Saturday's game against the Rangers.

Mountcastle will get a day to regroup Saturday after going 0-for-10 at the plate over his last three games. Ryan O'Hearn will fill in for Mountcastle at first base, moving Heston Kjerstad into the DH spot while Colton Cowser picks up another start in left field.

Rutschman (hand) is starting at catcher and batting second Saturday against the Rangers.

Rutschman was given a day off Friday after he played through a right hand injury Thursday, and he seems to be feeling better ahead of Saturday's contest. Over his last 10 games, the 26-year-old backstop has gone 15-for-40 with a home run, two RBI and seven runs scored.

Sandoval (elbow) underwent successful internal brace surgery Wednesday to repair the UCL in his left elbow, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Sandoval was diagnosed with a high-grade flexor tear and a torn UCL in his left elbow after departing early from his start against the Dodgers on June 21. The left-hander is expected to miss at least a full year of action due to the injury, but because he had the internal brace procedure rather than Tommy John surgery, he could be able to shave a couple of months off his recovery timeline and return at some point after the All-Star break in 2025.

Trout (knee) is getting close to returning to baseball activities, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Trout experienced some soreness in his left knee in mid-June but said this week that he's feeling better. Angels manager Ron Washington subsequently indicated that the future Hall of Famer is nearing a return to baseball activities, though he didn't specify the nature of those activities or a clear timeframe. Trout has been working out on a stationary bike and elliptical, though he remains several weeks away from being ready to be activated from the injured list.

Cimber (shoulder) threw from 90 feet Monday and Thursday, per MLB.com.

Cimber was placed on the injured list June 15 due to right shoulder inflammation one day after a poor outing against San Francisco , though he reportedly had been getting treatment on the shoulder prior to that appearance. The righty reliever appears to be making progress in his recovery given his recent throwing. However, it's unclear when Cimber might be ready to return to the Angels' bullpen.

Soto was scratched from the Yankees' lineup ahead of Saturday's game versus Toronto due to a right hand contusion, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Soto suffered the injury while sliding into home plate during the fourth inning of Friday's contest. He is slated to undergo imaging on his hand to see whether he's dealing with a more serious injury, and the Yankees should offer an update on his condition once they get the results back. In the meantime, Oswaldo Cabrera will enter the lineup as New York's right fielder and bat eighth.

Angels manager Ron Washington said Saturday that Soriano (abdomen) is expected to return from the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday's game against the Athletics, MLB.com reports.

Soriano landed on the injured list June 20 with an infection in his abdomen, and Washington believes the right-hander will be ready to return when first eligible. Soriano has been throwing from 120 feet as well as playing long toss in preparation for a return. He could face a light restriction with his pitch count in his first start back from the IL.

The Red Sox claimed Speas off waivers from the Astros on Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Worcester, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Speas was DFA'd by the Astros last week, and although he'll remain in Triple-A with his new organization, he'll claim a spot on the 40-man roster. The 26-year-old righty has accumulated a gaudy 10.38 ERA and 2.26 WHIP through 21.2 total innings in the minors while spending time with three different organizations. Barring significant improvement, a return to the majors is unlikely.

Hendriks (elbow) threw a second bullpen session Friday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

All 20 of Hendriks' pitches Friday were fastballs, and the right-hander noted Saturday that three more bullpen sessions are planned next week. The 35-year-old is working his way back from Tommy John surgery last August, and he is aiming to return to the majors before the end of the regular season. In his last full season in 2022 as a member of the White Sox, Hendriks registered a 2.81 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 85:16 K:BB across 57.2 innings.