MLB Player News

Berti (calf) is improving and could begin a minor-league rehab assignment in a few weeks, per MLB.com.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Berti is "moving in a good direction" and added that the infielder will "hopefully" be ready for a rehab assignment in "a few more weeks." Berti is currently on the 60-day IL due to a left calf strain and isn't eligible to be activated until late July. He will likely fill a utility role upon his return.

Maeda (2-4) took the loss against the White Sox on Saturday, allowing three runs on eight hits and no walks with five strikeouts over 4.2 innings.

Maeda tossed three scoreless innings before allowing two runs in the fourth. He then yielded two hits in the fifth before being pulled at 92 pitches, and an inherited runner scored on an RBI single by Andrew Vaughn. Maeda has not registered a quality start since May 1 and has only completed five or more innings in six of his 13 starts this season. The 36-year-old owns a 6.00 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 41:18 K:BB over 54 innings and lines up to face the Angels next week.

Thorpe (1-1) earned the win against the Tigers on Saturday, allowing two hits and four walks while striking out five over six scoreless innings.

Thorpe turned in the best start of his young major-league career, earning his first win in the process. He leaned on his changeup, throwing it 38 times and generating an impressive 10 swinging strikes on the pitch. The rookie walked four batters after yielding five free passes June 16 and owns an unimpressive 9:11 K:BB with a 5.02 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 14.1 innings with the White Sox. He lines up for a home matchup with Atlanta next week.

Lee went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a 5-1 win over the Tigers on Saturday.

Lee singled in the fourth inning then hit a solo home run off reliever Joey Wentz in the sixth. Lee is hitting just .194 in 62 June at-bats but has recorded multi-hit efforts in two of his past four games. On the season, he is slashing .246/.285/.393 with seven homers and 19 RBI in 183 at-bats.

Lopez went 3-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base in a 5-1 win over the Tigers on Saturday.

Lopez singled in the third inning then hit an RBI double in the fourth to give the White Sox a 2-0 lead. In the sixth frame, he singled, stole second and came around to score on a single by Lenyn Sosa. Lopez entered the contest just 10-for-50 in June. The second baseman is now hitting .239 with six RBI and three steals over 209 at-bats this season.

Kelly will serve as the Red Sox's opening pitcher for Sunday's game against Cincinnati, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Kelly will make his second start of the season Sunday, likely throwing only 1-to-2 innings before handing the ball off. It's unclear if the Red Sox will commit to a full bullpen game or utilize a bulk reliever, though Chase Anderson would be the likely option to work extended innings behind Kelly if Boston elects to go that route.

Drury (illness) is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers.

Drury had been scratched from the starting lineup on back-to-back nights, but he won't be listed as a starter for Saturday's series finale due to illness. He'll have a team day off Sunday to recover before Monday's matchup with Oakland. Luis Guillorme will play second base and bat ninth Saturday.

The Angels recalled Zuniga from Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday.

With Patrick Sandoval (elbow) hitting the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move, Zuniga will join the Angels' active roster for the first time since suffering a pectoral strain in early April. In four appearances with the Angels, Zuniga logged a 7.20 ERA. He hasn't fared much better at Salt Lake, posting a 7.36 ERA in 7.1 innings on the season.

Sandoval was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a left elbow strain.

Sandoval's move to the IL comes after he was lifted in the third inning of his start Friday against the Dodgers with what was initially labeled left forearm tightness. While he's eligible to return from the IL on July 7, the Angels could opt to play it safe with the 27-year-old and hold him out until the All-Star break. Guillermo Zuniga was called up from Triple-A Salt in a corresponding move, though he'll head to the bullpen and won't be a replacement in the rotation for Sandoval.

Varsho experienced back tightness late in Saturday's game against the Guardians and will be given the day off for Sunday's series finale, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Varsho grounded out in the ninth inning but never made it out of the batters box, immediately grabbing at his lower back after making contact. Though the injury doesn't seem of much concern, Varsho will be held out of Sunday's contest. Varsho went 0-for-4 with a strikeout during Saturday's 6-3 loss.