MLB Player News

Mendick (back) went 0-for-5 with a walk in his first rehab game Tuesday with Triple-A Charlotte.

Mendick served as Charlotte's designated hitter, so he'll presumably need to resume playing the infield at some point during his rehab assignment before the White Sox bring him back from the 10-day injured list, perhaps as soon as this weekend. Following his promotion from Charlotte on April 22, Mendick had briefly settled into a near-everyday role at third base, but it's unclear if he'll recapture a regular starting gig once activated. Prospect Bryan Ramos (quadricep) has since settled in as Chicago's third baseman, and the organization could be inclined to let him continue playing regularly.

Casas (rib) was upbeat Tuesday when discussing the progress he's made while on rehab, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

At the time of his injury, Casas was unsure how his body would respond, but he was enthused when discussing his recovery. "Everything is going well. I'm making a lot of progress," Casas said. "Starting a running progression here in the next couple of days. Should get to start throwing in two or three more days. I've already started lifting. Swinging is probably the last step, because that's a lot of rotation." Casas is currently on the 60-day injured list and isn't eligible to return until June 21. While he's been out, the Red Sox have filled first base with a rotation of players that includes Garrett Cooper, Dominic Smith and Romy Gonzalez.

Gonzalez went 1-for-1 with an RBI in Tuesday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Rays.

Gonzalez, who entered as a pinch runner for Dominic Smith in the 10th inning, stayed in the game to play first base, then delivered the game-winning run in the 12th with a single just inside the line in right field. The utility infielder has been a serviceable piece for manager Alex Cora, who has deployed him at shortstop and first base, positions where Boston's regulars have suffered significant injuries. Gonzalez has hit safely in six of eight games, going 6-for-19 (.316) with two steals, one RBI and two runs scored.

Rodriguez threw four scoreless innings of relief in Tuesday's 7-4 loss to the Guardians.

Starter Jack Leiter was bounced after 1.2 innings, and Texas needed its 29th-ranked bullpen (5.14 ERA) to get through the day. And they got it from Jonathan Hernandez (2.1 scoreless innings) and Rodriguez, who faced the minimum over four innings -- he hit a batter but followed it with a double play.

Jankowski started at designated hitter and went 1-for-3 with a double in Tuesday's 7-4 loss to Cleveland.

Jankowski started for the third time in four games, as Evan Carter (back) remained unavailable. On top of Carter's absence, Wyatt Langford's hamstring injury has created a path to at-bats for the seldom-used Jankowski, who's taken advantage of the increased plate appearances. Since May 2, Jankowski is 9-for-31 (.290) with a stolen base, a double, five RBI and three runs scored over 12 games.

Rafaela went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Rays.

It was a roller coaster night for the 23-year-old. Rafaela gave Boston a 3-1 lead in the fifth inning by taking Aaron Civale deep for his fourth long ball of the year, but his throwing error in the top of the 11th nearly gave Tampa Bay the win. The Red Sox were able to tie the game back up in the bottom of the frame, though, in part thanks to Rafaela's sacrifice bunt, before winning it in the 12th. Rafaela has collected a hit in 10 of 12 contests in May, batting .275 (11-for-40) on the month with two doubles and two homers, but his 1:11 BB:K is a warning sign that his numbers could swoon quickly as they did in April (.515 OPS in 26 games.)

Pivetta came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Rays, allowing two runs on four hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out eight without walking a batter.

The right-hander generated an impressive 32 called or swinging strikes among his 81 pitches, but both runs off Pivetta came on solo shots by Josh Lowe and Randy Arozarena, with the latter chasing him from the game one out short of his second quality start of the season. Pivetta has served up five homers in two starts since coming off the IL, a worrisome trend, but he'll carry a 3.48 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 22:2 K:BB through 20.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road this weekend in St. Louis.

Lowe went 2-for-4 with a double, a solo home run and a second run scored in Tuesday's 5-4 extra-innings loss to the Red Sox.

The 26-year-old outfielder connected on his first long ball of 2024 when he took Nick Pivetta deep in the first inning. Lowe is quickly making up for lost time after missing the first month-plus of the season due to an oblique strain, and in seven games since being activated from the IL he's batting .320 (8-for-25) with four doubles and a homer.

Civale came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 5-4 extra-innings loss to the Red Sox, giving up three runs on five hits over five innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The right-hander kept Boston off the board his first time through the order, but a two-run double by Dominic Smith in the fourth inning and a solo shot by Ceddanne Rafaela in the fifth sent Civale packing after 76 pitches (53 strikes). He's failed to last more than five innings in any of his last five starts, a stretch in which he's stumbled to an 8.87 ERA and 1.71 WHIP, and his rotation spot could be in jeopardy if he doesn't turn things around by the time Ryan Pepiot (leg) and Shane Baz (elbow) are ready to rejoin the team. Civale lines up to make his next start on the road this weekend in Toronto.

Ortega went 1-for-2 with a walk, a run scored and two stolen bases in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Nationals.

Getting the start in center field and batting seventh against southpaw Mitchell Parker, Ortega swiped second base both times he got on board. The hit and the steals were the first of the season for the 33-year-old, and the last two starts for the lefty-swinging Ortega have curiously come against left-handed pitching, as he filled in for Gavin Sheets on Tuesday and Andrew Benintendi on Sunday. With Luis Robert (hip) close to beginning a rehab assignment, Ortega's time on the big-league roster is likely drawing to a close.