MLB Player News

Rodriguez (back) was playing catch out to 90 feet Friday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Rodriguez seems to be progressing well after being placed on the 15-day IL with thoracic spine inflammation April 30. While he'll be eligible to return May 14, it seems as though Rodriguez will need more time before being reinstated.

Loperfido is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Tigers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Loperfido has a .316/.381/.316 slash line through his first seven big-league games, and he finds himself on the bench Friday for the fourth straight game. Jake Meyers is starting in center field and batting ninth in the series opener at Detroit.

Larnach is not listed in the starting lineup for Friday's game against Toronto.

The left-handed batter will see righty catcher Ryan Jeffers start at designated hitter as Minnesota takes on southpaw pitcher Yusei Kikuchi. Larnach is slashing an impressive .345/.393/.545 on the season with 11 RBI and three home runs.

Kepler is not listed as a starter for Friday's matchup against the Blue Jays.

The southpaw batter will get a break as Minnesota takes on left-handed starter Yusei Kikuchi. Righty outfielder Manuel Margot will start at right field and bat fifth in place of Kepler.

Julien is not a starter for Friday's matchup against the Blue Jays.

The lefty batting infielder will get a break as southpaw Yusei Kikuchi takes the mound for Toronto. Kyle Farmer will start at second base and bat seventh in place of Julien.

Garcia (back) is available for Friday's game against the Twins, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Garcia hasn't pitched in a game since April 28 but is ready to take the mound this weekend versus Minnesota. The right-hander has been dominant this season with a 0.68 ERA, 0.53 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB across 13.1 innings, and he should continue to serve as the setup man to closer Jordan Romano.

Green (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Friday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Friday's bullpen marks Green's first action off a mound since being placed on the injured list April 20 and marks a significant step in his recovery from a right shoulder strain. At this pace, Green could be back in action later this month.

Kiermaier is out of the lineup Friday against the Twins due to an illness, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Kiermaier started three of four games since he returned from the injured list due to hip inflammation last weekend, but he's now feeling under the weather. Daulton Varsho will shift to center field while Davis Schneider and Cavan Biggio man the corner outfield spots.

Naylor is not included in the starting lineup for Friday's outing against the White Sox.

The lefty catcher will get some rest as the Guardians take on southpaw starter Garrett Crochet. Austin Hedges will take over at catcher and bat ninth in place of Naylor.

Gimenez is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the White Sox.

The lefty-hitting infielder will get a break as Cleveland takes on southpaw pitcher Garrett Crochet. Gimenez is out of the starting lineup for the first time since April 26, slashing .229/.288/.333 with five RBI and one home run in that 12-game stretch.