MLB Player News

Duran is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Royals.

After starting 11 consecutive games, Duran will be out of the lineup for a second straight contest Saturday. For the month of June, he's slashing .230/.226/.328 with one home run and seven RBI over 61 at-bats. The lefty-hitting Travis Jankowski will serve as the designated hitter Saturday and bat eighth against the returning Michael Wacha.

Langeliers is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Twins.

Langeliers will begin Saturday's game in the dugout after going 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI in Friday's 6-5 win over Minnesota. The lefty-hitting Kyle McCann will start behind home plate Saturday and bat ninth against Twins right-hander Bailey Ober.

Garcia (elbow) threw a live bullpen session Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Manager Joe Espada said Saturday that Garcia will begin a minor-league rehab assignment if the right-hander responds well to Saturday's session. Garcia is in the latter stages of his recovery from Tommy John surgery in May of 2023. In his last full season in 2022 with the Astros, Garcia went 15-8 over 28 starts with a 3.72 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 157:47 K:BB across 157.1 innings.

Zavala cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Zavala was DFA'd by the Mariners on June 18 after slashing .154/.214/.282 with a 37.2 percent strikeout rate over 43 major-league plate appearances. The 30-year-old catcher will look to find his swing in Triple-A as he attempts to work his way back up to the majors.

Torres (groin) is starting at second base and batting seventh Saturday against Atlanta.

Torres left Thursday's game against the Orioles in the sixth inning due to tightness in his right groin. He was held out of Friday's game as a precaution and is back in the lineup Saturday. For the month of June, Torres is slashing .194/.268/.387 with three home runs and 12 RBI over 62 at-bats.

The Astros selected King's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday.

King has pitched well at Triple-A this season, posting a 1.87 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 41:14 K:BB while recording three saves over 33.2 innings. He'll provide the Astros with a left-handed option out of the bullpen. To make room on the 40-man roster for King, Houston designated right-hander Alex Speas for assignment.

The Astros placed Bloss on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to right shoulder discomfort.

Bloss was lifted from Friday's 14-11 win over the Orioles after allowing two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two over 3.2 innings in his major-league debut. The Astros recalled right-hander Luis Contreras from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Saturday that Dunning will move to the bullpen with Max Scherzer (back) set to return Sunday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Across 12 starts this season, Dunning holds a 4-6 record with a 4.73 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 67:29 K:BB across 59 innings, though he's given up 11 runs over his last three starts and has failed to make it to the sixth inning since April 7 against the Astros. Dunning could prove to be more effective out the bullpen in long relief while starting on occasion depending on the Rangers' schedule.

Romano experienced right elbow soreness after long tossing from 120 feet Friday and has been shut down from throwing, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Romano was slated to throw off the mound over the weekend, but he will now take a break while the team determines the next steps. Prior to landing on the injured list June 1, the 31-year-old closer registered eight saves across 15 outings with a 6.59 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 13.2 innings.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Saturday that Jimenez (hamstring) could be reinstated off the injured list as soon as Monday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Grifol noted that Jimenez is "up to 90 [percent] running, he's passed the test" when it comes to his left hamstring strain. Jimenez began his rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on June 13, and across six outings he's gone 8-for-18 with one double, one home run and five RBI. Jimenez was one a five-game hitting streak and slashed .286/.359/.457 over his last 10 major-league games before the injury.