MLB Player News

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday on Foul Territory that Volpe (shoulder) is "still ten days [or] two weeks away [from being reinstated off the IL], I would think."

Volpe is 6-for-15 with one home run, two stolen bases and a 1:4 BB:K over his first five rehab contests between Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Boone said that the shortstop has had "zero issues" with his surgically repaired left shoulder the last couple months, but Volpe hasn't completed a full game yet on his rehab assignment, so he still has some buildup to do. A return in 10 days would put Volpe in line for his season debut May 2, though a more specific timetable will be available in the coming days. Volpe should receive the lion's share of playing time at shortstop once he is activated, with Jose Caballero shifting to a super-utility role.

Anthony is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Anthony has fared well against left-handed pitching this season with a .320/.370/.360 slash line over 27 plate appearances versus southpaws, but the Red Sox will give him the night off nonetheless while Max Fried takes the hill for the Yankees. With Anthony on the bench, Andruw Monasterio will enter the lineup at designated hitter for Boston.

Narvaez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Narvaez had started behind the plate in the previous three contests, but Connor Wong will handle catching duties for Boston in the penultimate game of the series with New York. Before Narvaez's recent run of playing time, Wong had started each of the previous three games, so the Red Sox's catching situation will be one to monitor to see if either of the two ultimately emerges as the primary option.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider did not commit to Hoffman as his closer when asked Wednesday if he would consider using other relievers in the ninth inning, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Schneider said he's "not ready to make a firm comment" on the closer role, noting that he wants to have a discussion with Hoffman before announcing a decision. Hoffman was pulled from a save chance Tuesday versus the Angels with the bases loaded and one run already in. He was relieved by Louis Varland, who closed things out by inducing a game-ending double-play ball on the one and only pitch he threw. Hoffman has struck out 24 in 10.2 innings this season, but he's walked six, blown three saves and posted a 7.59 ERA and 2.06 WHIP. If Schneider does opt for a change at closer, Varland should be next in line.

The Red Sox optioned Anderson to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Anderson will cede his spot in the Boston bullpen to left-hander Eduardo Rivera, who was summoned from Triple-A and will provide the Red Sox with a fresh arm capable of covering multiple innings. During his first stint in the majors, Anderson appeared in three games and allowed three earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out six over eight innings. Anderson will likely re-enter the rotation once he returns to Worcester.

The Red Sox transferred Casas (abdomen/knee) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.

Casas' move to the 60-day IL frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for left-hander Eduardo Rivera, who was called up from Triple-A Worcester. The Red Sox placed Casas on the 10-day IL coming out of spring training while he was completing his recovery from knee surgery, and though his rehab from that injury has gone according to plan, the first baseman has since been shut down from activity after suffering a left abdominal strain earlier this month. Casas is without a clear timeline for a return, but Wednesday's transaction ensures that he'll be on the shelf through at least the final week of May.

The Red Sox selected Rivera's contract from Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Rivera compiled a 0.90 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 10 frames over his two starts with Double-A Portland to begin the season before receiving a promotion to Worcester earlier in the week, but he'll temporarily bypass the Triple-A assignment to provide a fresh arm in the big-league bullpen who's capable of covering multiple innings. The Red Sox optioned righty Jack Anderson to Triple-A to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster for Rivera.

Ellwanger was placed on the 60-day injured list at Single-A Fort Myers on Wednesday with a right elbow sprain, Theodore Tollefson of Zone Coverage reports.

A sprain indicates ligament damage, though it's unclear at this point whether Ellwanger might need surgery. A third-round pick in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, Ellwanger turned in a dominant first three starts at Fort Myers, tossing 11.2 shutout innings with a 15:5 K:BB. Now he will be sidelined for at least a couple months, and perhaps much longer.

The Orioles recalled Espada from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

Espada will provide reinforcement to an Orioles bullpen that will be without closer Ryan Helsley (personal), who was placed on the bereavement list Wednesday in a corresponding move. Though he's unlikely to enter the mix for save chances while Helsley is away from the team, Espada will provide the Orioles with a fresh arm in middle relief. Espada has posted a 5.40 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 7:9 K:BB in 10 innings with Norfolk this season.

Gelof is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Seattle.

Gelof started each of the previous three games, including the last two in center field while Denzel Clarke (foot) was unavailable. Clarke was placed on the 10-day injured list earlier Wednesday, but Gelof will begin the series finale on the bench while Lawrence Butler shifts over to center field.