MLB Player News

Santander (knee) is batting fifth as the designated hitter Monday against the Cardinals.

Santander aggravated his bruised knee Saturday against the Mariners and was held out of the lineup Sunday, but he's been cleared to bat in the series opener at St. Louis. The 29-year-old said Sunday that running in the outfield has been a bit problematic, so he could continue to serve as Baltimore's DH for the next few days as he completes his recovery.

Velazquez is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Tigers.

Velazquez had started seven of the last eight contests but will begin this one on the bench. Salvador Perez will be the designated hitter, Hunter Renfroe will start in right field and Freddy Fermin will be at catcher.

Lauer signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The veteran left-hander opted out of his minor-league pact with the Pirates last week and didn't take long to latch on with a new organization. Lauer had a 5.52 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 37:11 K:BB across 29.1 innings at Triple-A Indianapolis, and he may need to post better results for Houston's Triple-A affiliate in Sugar Land in order to receive a look in the big leagues. His contract includes opt-outs for July 1 and August 1 if he's not on the major-league roster.

LeMahieu (foot) went 1-for-1 with three walks, two runs and an RBI while playing five innings at third base in Sunday's rehab appearance with Double-A Somerset.

LeMahieu had plenty of opportunities to put his right foot -- which he broke on a foul ball March 16 -- to the test Sunday given his time in the field and on the basepaths. The veteran infielder is three games into his rehab assignment and has gone 2-for-7 with three walks, two runs and an RBI thus far. Per the Associated Press, LeMahieu is slated to play back-to-back minor-league games Tuesday and Wednesday this week before playing in three consecutive contests over the weekend. He could be activated from the injured list soon thereafter.

Judge went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 7-2 win against the White Sox.

Judge capped the scoring in the contest with one of the shortest homers of his career -- a 339-foot poke to the short porch in right field. Regardless of the distance, it was another addition to his recent collection of his homers, as he's now gone deep seven times over his past 13 games. The impressive run has elevated Judge into a tie for third place in the majors with 13 home runs on the campaign.

Kepler is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Nationals.

Kepler is one of several Twins players involved in a platoon, so he will yield to Manuel Margot in right field with the Nats starting left-hander Mitchell Parker. The left-handed hitting Kepler actually has a 1.050 OPS versus southpaws this season, although that's come over just 20 plate appearances.

The Rays optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Durham on Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Rodriguez holds a 2.79 ERA in nine relief appearances with the Rays this season, although that's come with a 1.55 WHIP. Richard Lovelady is taking his spot in the bullpen.

The Rays activated Lowe (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Lowe had his return from an oblique strain delayed when he had a little setback, but he returned to action on his rehab assignment in recent days and now appears back to 100 percent. He had a .600 OPS with one home run in eight games before getting hurt and will regain his role as Tampa Bay's regular second baseman against right-handers.

The Rays placed Eflin on the 15-day injured list Monday, retroactive to May 19, with lower-back inflammation, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Eflin last pitched Saturday in Toronto, allowing four runs over six innings. It's not clear whether he developed the injury during that outing or another time, but either way he will be sidelined for at least the next two weeks. Ryan Pepiot (leg) is expected back from the IL this week and can slide into Eflin's rotation spot.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol indicated Monday that Soroka is likely to stay in the bullpen rather than take the rotation spot vacated by Brad Keller, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Soroka threw four scoreless innings in relief of Keller on Saturday, but it sounds like he'll remain in a relief role for now after struggling mightily as a starter earlier this season (6.39 ERA). Nick Nastrini and Jonathan Cannon would seem to be candidates to fill Keller's role.