MLB Player News

The Rangers recalled Leiter from Triple-A Round Rock ahead of his scheduled start in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Athletics in Oakland.

Texas is designating Leiter as the 27th man for the twin bill, but he won't necessarily be heading back to Round Rock after making his second start of the season for the big club Wednesday. The Rangers surprisingly placed Dane Dunning (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, meaning the team should have an opening in the rotation for a fifth starter heading into next week. Leiter was torched for seven runs in 3.2 innings in his MLB debut April 18 in Detroit, but he gets a favorable draw for his second start in a pitcher-friendly venue against a weak Oakland lineup.

The Rangers placed Dunning (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list with a right rotator cuff strain.

The roster move is retroactive to Sunday, one day after Dunning made his seventh start of the season while taking a no-decision against the Royals. The Rangers haven't indicated that Dunning sustained the injury at any point during that outing, but the right-hander's shoulder was evidently bothersome coming out of that start. Dunning is without a precise target date to return from the IL, though manager Bruce Bochy said Wednesday that the 29-year-old isn't expected to have an especially lengthy stay on the shelf. While Dunning joins Nathan Eovaldi (groin), Max Scherzer (back), Cody Bradford (ribs), Jacob deGrom (elbow) and Tyler Mahle (elbow) on the shelf, the Rangers should have back-end rotation spots available for both Jose Urena and Jack Leiter.

Waldichuk (elbow) will visit with Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Waldichuk recently had a setback while throwing a live batting practice session. He was diagnosed last October with a UCL sprain and flexor strain but chose a more conservative Tenex procedure to remove scar tissue and help alleviate pain. More will be known after Monday's exam, but his upcoming meeting with Dr. ElAttrache would seem to suggest that Waldichuk's treatment plan hasn't panned out as anticipated.

Diaz (calf) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas this weekend, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Diaz ran the bases Wednesday, which was the final hurdle he needed to clear before playing in games. He's on the 60-day injured list and won't be eligible for activation until late May, so Diaz will be in store for an extended rehab assignment.

Brown is out of the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Rangers.

Even with right-hander Michael Lorenzen taking the hill for Texas, the lefty-hitting Brown finds himself on the bench for the first game of the day. Brown has occupied a strong-side platoon role in the outfield this season, but his hold on a regular gig could be loosening while he's produced a career-worst .548 OPS while striking out 32 times in 103 plate appearances (31.1 percent) so far on the campaign. Esteury Ruiz will fill in for Brown in left field.

Butler is out of the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Rangers.

The lefty-hitting Butler typically sits out against left-handed pitchers, but he'll bow out of the starting nine for Wednesday's early game while right-hander Michael Lorenzen takes the hill for the Rangers. Brent Rooker will serve as the Athletics' starting right fielder for Game 1, but Tyler Nevin may end up being the primary replacement for Butler against right-handed pitching moving forward if Oakland elects to give rookie Brett Harris a full-time role at third base.

Rangers general manager Chris Young said Wednesday that Scherzer (back) will remain shut down from throwing for the next few days due to a right thumb and forearm issue, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Scherzer has been on the 15-day injured list all season while completing his recovery from Dec. 15 surgery to address a herniated disc in his back, but it's his pitching arm that has presented complications for him coming out of his first rehab start with Triple-A Round Rock back on April 24. Young said that Scherzer won't resume ramping up again until the tightness and discomfort in his arm completely subsides, so the veteran right-hander still looks to be multiple weeks away from being ready to return from the IL.

Gelof (oblique) will join Triple-A Las Vegas this weekend to begin a rehab assignment, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Gelof has missed the last two weeks with a strained left oblique but has been upping his baseball activities in recent days and was spotted running the bases earlier Wednesday, per Gallegos. Because the young infielder hasn't missed much time, he shouldn't need too many at-bats in the minors before being activated from the 10-day injured list.

Hernaiz, who was placed on the 10-day injured list earlier Wednesday, has been diagnosed with a severe left ankle sprain and will visit with a foot specialist, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Hernaiz was injured during Tuesday's 15-8 loss to the Rangers when he stepped awkwardly on first base and was subsequently placed on the IL. More should be known about a potential timetable for the rookie infielder following his exam, but Hernaiz looks as though he could be sidelined for weeks, if not months. The 22-year-old has slashed .182/.243/.182 over 75 plate appearances with Oakland this season and had recently been serving as the team's everyday shortstop.

Smith is out of the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Athletics.

The lefty-hitting Smith will hit the bench for the first game of the twin bill while the Athletics bring southpaw JP Sears to the hill. Davis Wendzel will fill in for Smith at third base.