MLB Player News

Triple-A Columbus reinstated Valera (hamstring) from its 7-day injured list Wednesday.

Valera looks set to make his season debut Wednesday against Toledo after missing the first month of the campaign due to a hamstring strain. The 23-year-old outfielder didn't conduct a rehab assignment with one of the Guardians' lower-level affiliates prior to being activated, but he was presumably able to prepare for his 2024 Columbus debut by ramping up through simulated games at extended spring training in Arizona.

Santos (lat) recently upped his throwing distance to 120 feet, MLB.com reports.

A recent shift to the 60-day IL didn't impact Santos' return timeline, as he was never expected to be able to make his season debut before late May. That timeframe appears to still remain realistic, and he's slated to continue throwing at the 120-foot distance throughout this week before upping his intensity again.

Gelof (oblique) fielded grounders and played catch Wednesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Gelof was shut down for about a week after landing on the 10-day injured list last Thursday with a strained left oblique, but he's now been cleared to begin baseball activities. Hitting will be the biggest hurdle for him to clear, and it's uncertain when he might be ready to swing a bat. Gelof is eligible to return from the IL on May 15, but it's too soon to know whether he might be back by that date.

Andujar (knee) took live batting practice against Scott Alexander (ribs) on Tuesday, the Associated Press reports.

Andujar began a running program on April 23 and is expected to next run the bases Saturday, per MLB.com. If he gets through that step without setbacks, the veteran is expected to head out on a multi-game rehab assignment at a yet-to-be-determined affiliate shortly thereafter.

Buxton was removed from Wednesday's game against the White Sox in the bottom of the second inning with an apparent leg injury, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

After reaching on a base hit in his first plate appearance of the day in the top of the second inning, Buxton attempted a steal of second base but came up lame and walked off the field gingerly after being tagged out. The Twins should have more clarity on the nature of Buxton's injury later Wednesday.

Alexander (ribs) threw live batting practice to Miguel Andujar (knee) on Tuesday and is now set to join Single-A Stockton to begin a rehab assignment Friday, MLB.com reports.

Alexander cleared his final hurdle to a return to the mound with Tuesday's activity, and when he does debut for the Ports, it will be his first game action since a March 6 Cactus League appearance against the Angels. Given the amount of time he's been sidelined, Alexander figures to need a fairly lengthy rehab assignment, even though he'll likely be utilized for no more than two innings per appearance once he's with the big-league club.

Spence (3-1) got the win against the Pirates on Tuesday, firing three scoreless, one-hit innings during which he recorded two strikeouts.

Spence got the fifth-inning call after starter Alex Wood labored to the tune of 93 pitches over four frames. As has become increasingly customary, Spence delivered an impressive multi-inning effort, his third three-inning scoreless outing over his last four appearances. Spence now has victories in back-to-back appearances as well and sports a 2.84 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB across his eight trips to the mound.

Toro went 2-for-3 with an RBI single, a double and a run in a win over the Pirates on Tuesday.

JJ Bleday stole the spotlight for the suddenly surging Athletics with his pair of home runs, but Toro turned in a noteworthy performance while playing a bit of small ball. The 27-year-old extended his hitting streak to five games in the process, a stretch during which he's laced a trio of two-baggers and has boosted his average 39 points to .250.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that Yoshida (hand) will be placed on the 10-day injured list, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Yoshida had been set to undergo an MRI after jamming his left hand during Sunday's game versus the Cubs. While the results of that exam aren't known, the injury is evidently bad enough to result in an IL stint, which will likely be made official shortly before Wednesday's game against the Giants. First baseman Dominic Smith is reportedly set to sign a major-league deal with the Red Sox, so he'll presumably take Yoshida's spot on the 26-man active roster.

Raley is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta.

The lefty-hitting Raley had started in left field in four of the past five games, but he'll head to the bench for the series finale with southpaw Chris Sale on the bump for Atlanta. Switch-hitter Sam Haggerty will draw the start in left field Wednesday, but Raley should occupy the strong side of a platoon at the position until Dominic Canzone (shoulder) returns from the 10-day injured list.