MLB Player News

Spence will start Friday in Kansas City, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

It will be the first major-league start for Spence, who has posted a 4.26 ERA and 22:7 K:BB over 25.1 innings covering 11 relief appearances. The Rule 5 pick will be pitching on three days' rest after allowing two runs over two-thirds of an inning Monday in Houston, so he likely won't be able to pitch deep into Friday's contest. Spence has gone three-plus frames in six of his relief appearances, including a season-long 4.2-inning outing May 5 versus the Marlins. He could wind up piggybacking with Kyle Muller, who is also available to work multiple innings.

Noda is 5-for-13 with two doubles, a home run, two RBI, three walks and four runs over his last four games with Triple-A Las Vegas.

The brief but impressive stretch is in stark contrast to Noda's first eight games following his demotion, when he posted an .083 batting average (2-for-24) without an extra-base hit. The 28-year-old, who limped to a .440 OPS during his 30 games in the majors this season, could soon earn a promotion if he stays hot.

Butler, optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, went 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs Thursday.

Butler drew the start in center field in his first minor-league game of 2024 and made an instant impact while batting second. He had a much different experience against big-league arms (.170/.273/.264), so he'll presumably need an extended stretch of success at the Triple-A level before the A's will consider bringing him back up.

Andujar (knee) went 2-for-3 with a three-run double Thursday as the designated hitter for Triple-A Las Vegas.

Andujar was lifted for a pinch hitter late in the game, but his timing at the plate appeared to be in fine form despite an extended layoff. The multi-hit effort was reminiscent of the red-hot spring Andujar enjoyed before it was cut short by his knee injury, and the veteran may not need a long rehab assignment before getting added to Oakland's big-league roster.

Bido is making progress in his recovery from a blister on his pitching hand that he developed during a May 8 start against the Rangers, and the Athletics still view him as an option for the big-league rotation, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

After turning in a 2.59 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 31.1 innings at Triple-A Las Vegas, Bido made a spot start in a doubleheader but was pulled midway through the third inning of the second game, and he was returned to Las Vegas two days later. The right-hander hasn't pitched for Las Vegas since, but he could rejoin the big club as soon as Friday, when Oakland will have an opening in its rotation for a series opener in Kansas City. Bido served as the 27th man for the doubleheader last week, so he's eligible to be called back up at any time.

The Astros will recall Mushinski from Triple-A Sugar Land prior to Friday's game versus the Brewers, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

There's no word yet on what the corresponding move will be, but Shawn Dubin threw three innings Thursday so he is a candidate to be optioned. Mushinski has been knocked around for seven runs (five earned) over four relief innings during his time in the majors this season.

Baz (elbow) struck out three and allowed one earned run on five hits and two walks over 3.1 innings Thursday in the third start of his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham.

After issuing five walks in just 1.2 innings in his second rehab start, Baz demonstrated improved control. Though he still walked two of the 17 batters (11.8 percent) he faced, the right-hander spotted 49 of his 69 pitches for strikes. Baz will likely make at least one more rehab start for Durham before the Rays bring him back from the 15-day injured list.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Monday that he has no plans to bench Baez, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

"He's going to play, a lot," Hinch said. Baez has again been one of the least productive regulars from an offensive standpoint in baseball, slashing just .167/.200/.222 with one home run over 135 plate appearances. He's hit only .223/.265/.346 since signing a six-year, $140 million contract prior to the 2022 campaign. Baez also has graded out poorly defensively in 2024 with minus-4 Outs Above Average, although he was plus-9 in OAA in 2023 and the Tigers still seem happy with his defense. Given that the underwhelming Zach McKinstry would represent their likely alternative at shortstop, the Tigers appear willing to continue riding it out with Baez in hopes that he can rebound to at least a competent level at the plate.

Diaz went 1-for-4 with a double, three RBI and a run scored Thursday against the Athletics.

Diaz has hit well for average this season, but he has struggled to find much power as he has just a .119 ISO. He's started to show more pop of late, tallying three of his eight doubles on the campaign in his last nine games. Despite the lack of extra-base knocks, Diaz has managed 16 runs scored and 21 RBI across 42 games and comfortably remains Houston's top option behind the dish.

Schuemann went 1-for-3 with a stolen base in Thursday's loss to the Astros.

Schuemann singled in his first at-bat before swiping his second bag of the season, though he would be left stranded as Oakland failed to generate any offense against a dominant Cristian Javier. The second baseman has now hit safely in five of his last six games, going 6-for-20 (.300) over that stretch with a homer, a double and four RBI. The stolen base was Schuemann's first since April 20 against the Guardians.