MLB Player News

Neto will undergo further testing on his right elbow in Los Angeles after exiting in the bottom of the fifth inning of Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Astros, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Neto went 0-for-2 with a strikeout before he was lifted in the bottom of the fifth inning shortly after he made a high throw from shortstop. The Angels labeled his injury as right elbow soreness, but more clarity on the severity of the injury should be known once his tests are completed. For what it's worth, Neto said the Angels' training staff told him that his injury doesn't appear to be serious.

Lowe was removed from Wednesday's game against the Red Sox due to right side tightness, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

The Rays are officially marking Lowe as day-to-day, so the team doesn't seem too concerned with his injury. Tampa Bay doesn't play Thursday, which will give the 26-year-old an extra day to rest before potentially returning Friday without missing any games.

Whitlock is scheduled to visit Dr. Jeff Dugas in Birmingham, Ala. on May 30, at which point a decision will be made whether he'll require surgery to address his right elbow sprain, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Whitlock was originally placed on the 15-day injured list April 17 with a left oblique strain, but the health of his pitching elbow is now the Red Sox's chief concern after he sustained the injury in his lone rehab start for Triple-A Worcester last Wednesday. He's reportedly dealing with damage to his UCL, so while the early expectation is that he'll need some kind of procedure to address the injury, he'll first consult with Dr. Dugas to see if rest and rehab is a viable treatment plan. Even if Whitlock is able to avoid surgery, he's still likely looking at an extended absence and likely won't be ready to rejoin the Red Sox until the second half of the season even in a best-case scenario.

The Orioles returned Vespi to Triple-A Norfolk following Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Vespi pitched a scoreless inning in his season debut, but he will head back to Triple-A after serving as Baltimore's 27th man. The 28-year-old lefty owns a 3.22 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 22.1 innings in the minors this season.

Garrett signed a minor-league contract with the Angels on Wednesday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Garrett elected free agency Sunday after being DFA'd by the Angels, but he will now return to the organization on a minor-league deal. He will report to Triple-A Salt Lake, where he has allowed two earned runs through 7.1 innings while striking out 10 batters and walking four.

Means was removed from Wednesday's start against the Cardinals due to left elbow discomfort and will undergo medical testing, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The injury wasn't immediately reported as the left-hander's departure after three innings coincided with a rain delay. Means entered the contest with an average fastball velocity of 90.9 mph this season, but he sat two ticks below that Wednesday. The 31-year-old missed most of last season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and a back injury, so another elbow issue could be a significant concern.

Soderstrom is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game versus Colorado.

Soderstrom started the previous three games but will sit Wednesday as lefty Austin Gomber pitches for the Rockies. J.D. Davis will handle first base and bat fifth.

Brown is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

Brown hasn't started against a left-handed pitcher all season, and that trend will continue Wednesday as Austin Gomber takes the mound for Colorado. Tyler Nevin will take over in right field and bat seventh.

Smith will start at first base and bat sixth Wednesday versus Tampa Bay, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Smith was originally scheduled to have Wednesday off, but he will now step in with Garrett Cooper battling a shoulder injury. Smith is slashing just .182/.224/.234 through 58 plate appearances this season, though he has recorded a base hit in six of his last eight games.

Mendick is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.

After being activated from the injured list Friday, Mendick had started at third base in each of the White Sox's ensuing five games, going 3-for-18 with two doubles and two RBI. Mendick should have a fairly clear path to regular playing time at the hot corner while Bryan Ramos (quadricep) is on the shelf, but he'll give way to Zach Remillard in Wednesday's series finale.