MLB Player News

Ruiz (wrist) went 0-for-2 with an RBI sacrifice fly in a loss to the Rangers on Monday.

Ruiz returned after a one-game absence due to a wrist injury he suffered Saturday and was able to contribute an RBI for the third consecutive contest. The 25-year-old outfielder has demonstrated a slight uptick in pop during the first month-plus of the season and appears to have moved past the wrist issue, given he drew the start in left field Monday.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday that Leiter will "probably" start the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Athletics, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Michael Lorenzen will start the first game of the double dip and Leiter has already joined the club in Oakland as he lines up for the second contest. The young right-hander struggled in a spot start in Detroit last month in his major-league debut, yielding seven runs over 3.2 frames. However, he's been sharp at Triple-A Round Rock with a 2.84 ERA and 37:8 K:BB over 25.1 innings. While there is obvious risk, Leiter represents an intriguing streaming option Wednesday. He's a possibility to make at least one additional start, as well while Nathan Eovaldi (groin) recovers.

France was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday with a shoulder injury, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander was demoted to Triple-A on April 25 and surrendered three runs over 3.2 innings during his lone start prior to the injury. France is without an official timeline for return but could be out "a while," per Rome. The injury won't immediately affect the Astros' rotation but is a big hit to their depth.

Peraza (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Tampa on Tuesday.

Peraza is finally ready to test things out in a game setting after working his way back from a right shoulder strain which he initially suffered back in late February. Given how much time he's missed, he will presumably require more than a handful of rehab games. Peraza also isn't a given to immediately be added to the big-league roster, although the status of DJ LeMahieu (foot) will be a factor.

Velazquez has started 21 games at first base and zero games at catcher thus far for Single-A Lynchburg.

Velazquez was drafted with the 23rd overall pick last year as a bat-first catcher who might move to first base, and that transition has already taken place before his 19th birthday later this month. The lefty-hitting slugger may indeed offer the requisite offensive impact for first base, as he is slashing .264/.343/.505 with six home runs, a .242 ISO and a 20 percent strikeout rate in 105 plate appearances for the Hillcats as one of the youngest hitters in the Carolina League.

Bachman (shoulder) is scheduled to throw off a mound Tuesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Bachman underwent shoulder surgery last October and had his rehab halted by back spasms in late April. However, the back issue appears to have subsided, allowing the right-hander to resume working toward a return to game action. Bachman is likely to need a multi-week rehab assignment in the minors before the Angels consider bringing him up to the big-league club.

Neto went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Monday's loss to Pittsburgh.

Batting out of the No. 9 slot in the order, Neto produced the Angels' only run of the game with his sixth-inning solo shot to center field. It was the third homer of the campaign for the shortstop, all of which have come over his past 11 games. Neto was batting just .167 after an 0-for-3 effort April 21, but he's turned things around since, slashing .356/.370/.667 over his past 13 contests.

The Athletics optioned Jimenez to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

The right-hander began the season in a high-leverage role and didn't give up an earned run in his first five appearances, but he has a 5.40 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 9:8 K:BB over his past 10 innings. Six of those walks came in Jimenez's past four outings, and he'll head to Triple-A to work on his command.

Pham went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Monday against the Rays.

Pham was the only source of offense for Chicago when he took Tyler Alexander deep for his second home run of the season. Since joining the White Sox on April 26, Pham has regularly hit second in the order and has at least one knock in seven of his 10 games.

Ramirez (2-0) walked one and struck out one across three scoreless innings to earn the win Monday against the White Sox.

Ramirez followed starter Tyler Alexander into the game in the fifth inning and turned in his second consecutive scoreless appearance. Ramirez has worked primarily in long relief since being recalled to the Rays on April 21, as he's completed at least two frames in four of his six outings. Despite limited strikeout upside -- he has eight punchouts across 11.1 innings of work -- he could be in position to earn more wins than a traditional reliever.