MLB Player News

Astros manager Joe Espada said that Brown will make a start during the team's three-game home series versus the Brewers this weekend, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Espada didn't specify which day Brown will start, but Friday's series opener looks like the logical target for him to slot back into the rotation. Brown's spot in the rotation looked to be on thin ice after he supplied an 8.89 ERA and 2.20 WHIP over 27.1 innings in his first seven starts of the season, prompting the Astros to skip over his turn this past week. The right-hander was available out of the bullpen for the weekend series in Detroit and excelled in long relief behind Cristian Javier in Saturday's 8-2 loss to the Tigers, tossing five innings of one-run ball while tying his season high with seven strikeouts. Houston will move to a six-man rotation this week to accommodate Brown, but he may still need a strong showing against Milwaukee to ensure he sticks in a starting role moving forward, especially with Jose Urquidy's (forearm) return from the injured list on the horizon.

Bradford (ribs) played catch Monday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

According to MLB.com, manager Bruce Bochy said Friday that Bradford could be cleared to begin throwing off a mound at some point later on this week during the Rangers' six-game homestand. Bradford was originally placed on the 15-day injured list April 14 with lower-back soreness, but follow-up tests revealed that the southpaw had a "very small" stress fracture on the 12th rib on the right side of his body. Bochy said that the Rangers are expecting Bradford to be sidelined for another month, which would put him in line for a return around the middle of June. Bradford went 3-0 with a 1.40 ERA in three starts prior to landing on the IL, but the Rangers may not have a rotation spot available for him once he's healthy.

Dubon is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Athletics.

After rapping out a season-high four hits in Sunday's 9-3 win over the Tigers, Dubon will retreat to the bench as the Astros open a four-game set with the Athletics. Dubon had started in four of the past five games, but he's still seemingly viewed as a utility player for Houston and hasn't yet seized hold of an everyday spot in the lineup.

Loperfido is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Athletics.

With a single and a double in Sunday's 9-3 win over the Tigers, Loperfido propped his on-base percentage up to .367 for the season, but the rookie still has yet to take full control of an everyday spot in the lineup. He'll hit the bench for the second time in four games while catcher Yainer Diaz gets a day off behind the plate and serves as Houston's designated hitter. Meanwhile, Yordan Alvarez will pick up a start in left field, where Loperfido has seen most of his big-league action thus far.

Davis remains out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros.

Davis has now started just once in the Athletics' last five games, as he's seemingly moved into the short side of a platoon with the lefty-hitting Tyler Soderstrom, who has recently taken over as the team's primary first baseman. The 31-year-old has supplied a career-worst .586 OPS over 83 plate appearances this season, and the non-contending Athletics don't have much incentive to give him regular playing time while he's struggling to produce.

Nevin is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros.

Nevin is on the bench for the fourth time in seven games, with each of those absences coming against right-handed pitching. With both Brett Harris and Tyler Soderstrom having settled into everyday roles at the corner-infield spots, the right-handed-hitting Nevin looks like he'll be limited to short-side platoon duties for the time being.

Schuemann will start at shortstop and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Astros.

Schuemann will pick up his sixth consecutive start after going 5-for-19 with a home run, two doubles, two walks, four RBI and three runs over Oakland's previous five games. He looks poised to operate as the Athletics' primary shortstop while Darell Hernaiz is on the injured list with a severe ankle sprain.

Crawford (oblique) took part in batting practice Monday and will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Crawford has been on the 10-day injured list with a Grade 1 right oblique strain since April 25, but he appears to be on the cusp of returning to the big-league roster. He'll likely need to participate in multiple contests during his rehab assignment in Triple-A before being activated and could join the team in Baltimore ahead of its three-game series with the Orioles beginning Friday.

Medina (knee) is scheduled to throw around 45 pitches Wednesday in a simulated game at extended spring training, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The upcoming sim game will likely represent the final hurdle for Medina to clear in his recovery from a Grade 2 MCL sprain before he heads out on what will likely be a multi-start minor-league rehab assignment. With injuries mounting in the Oakland rotation, Medina should have a starting role with the big club waiting for him once he gets fully stretched out in the minors.

Wood has been sent back to Oakland to have his left shoulder evaluated, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Wood was dealing with shoulder soreness during his start in Sunday's 8-4 loss to the Mariners, and the injury seems to be one that's been a problem for him for a while. A stint on the injured list would appear to be a distinct possibility for Wood, but the team is unlikely to make a decision on his status until his evaluation is completed. If Wood isn't able to take the hill for his next turn through the rotation this weekend in Kansas City, the Athletics would likely turn to Kyle Muller or Mitch Spence to start in his place.