MLB Player News

Garcia is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners.

Garcia's only other day off this season came in the second game of a doubleheader. He will give way to Adam Frazier on Wednesday, both at third base and in the leadoff spot.

Francis (forearm) struck out four batters and allowed only one hit over two scoreless innings Tuesday in a rehab appearance for Triple-A Buffalo.

The right-hander was shut down in late April due to forearm tendinitis, but Francis' sharp rehab outing suggests he's just about ready to rejoin the big-league staff. Alek Manoah is coming off a strong start as the fifth starter, so Francis will likely be ticketed for long relief when he returns. After a couple rough outings in the rotation to begin the season, Francis has 2.84 ERA and 5:3 K:BB in 6.1 relief innings for the Blue Jays.

Cole (elbow) threw approximately 36 pitches in a bullpen session Tuesday, per MLB.com.

Cole continues to incrementally increase his pitch count during his throwing sessions -- his previous bullpen took place Saturday and included 29 pitches. The veteran right-hander sat at around 89 mph with his fastball in that session, so he appears to still have a ways to go to get back up to full speed, but so far his recovery seems to be going smoothly, with manager Aaron Boone characterizing Cole's outlook as "onward and upward." There's no indication yet of when Cole may begin a rehab assignment, but he isn't likely to be activated off the IL until after the start of June.

LeMahieu (foot) is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment Thursday or Friday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

LeMahieu had embarked upon a rehab stint April 23 but lasted only one inning due to soreness in his injured right foot. He's been ramping back up of late by taking live batting practice and fielding grounders, and he recently resumed running the bases. Per Joyce, LeMahieu's restarted rehab assignment will begin with Double-A Somerset and is expected to include "a decent amount of games."

Kelly (2-1) took the extra-inning loss against the Astros on Tuesday, allowing an unearned run on one hit over one-third of an inning.

With closer Mason Miller having worked both the eighth and ninth innings, Kelly was tasked with preserving the 1-1 tie in the 10th. Jake Meyers immediately moved over inning-opening runner Trey Cabbage to third with a flyout before Kelly surrendered a walk-off single to Victor Caratini, putting a quick end to the right-hander's unsuccessful high-leverage scenario. Kelly has now allowed a total of four runs (three earned) in two of his last four outings, but he's otherwise been a fairly reliable option for manager Mark Kotsay with a 3.00 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and a pair of holds in addition to his two wins.

Raley went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a loss to the Astros on Tuesday.

Raley continues to profile as one of the inconsistent Mariners' more reliable hitters after a slow start to his team tenure, with Tuesday's homer his second in as many games. Raley's season average and OPS are up to a solid .265 and .729, respectively, and he sports a .357/.419/.714 slash line over the 31 plate appearances encompassing his last nine games.

The White Sox recalled Fletcher from Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday.

Fletcher was sent down to the minors late last month after hitting just .203/.277/.271 with a 20:4 K:BB over 66 plate appearances with Chicago. He will get another look with the big club after slashing .238/.319/.405 with one home run in 11 contests with Charlotte. Gavin Sheets has just a .516 OPS in May, so Fletcher could end up emerging as a regular in right field.

The White Sox designated Ortega for assignment Wednesday.

The veteran outfielder went 1-for-14 at the plate during his time with the White Sox. Ortega will likely clear waivers and could report to Triple-A Charlotte, but he has enough tenure to decline a potential outright assignment and elect free agency if he prefers.

Lopez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals.

With the White Sox playing a day game following Tuesday's doubleheader and with a lefty (Patrick Corbin) on the hill for Washington, the lefty-hitting Lopez will get the afternoon off. Zach Remillard checks in for Lopez at second base.

The White Sox acquired Julks from the Astros on Wednesday in exchange for right-hander Luis Rodriguez.

Julks had been designated for assignment by Houston but has now landed in a more favorable organization from a playing-time perspective. The 28-year-old will report to Triple-A Charlotte for now, but he should have a clearer bath to resurfacing in the majors in Chicago compared to Houston. Julks slashed .245/.297/.352 with six home runs and 15 stolen bases over 93 games with the Astros last season but has spent all of 2024 at Triple-A Sugar Land, batting .266/.358/.444 with five home runs.