MLB Player News

Kikuchi (2-2) took the loss Saturday, giving up four runs on nine hits over six innings as the Blue Jays fell 4-2 to the Dodgers. He struck out three without walking a batter.

While the southpaw managed to keep the ball in the yard, he still gave up some very loud contact, including three extra-base hits and an RBI single by Shohei Ohtani in the second inning that left his bat with a stunning exit velocity of 119.2 mph. Kikuchi saw his quality start streak end at three, but he'll take a strong 2.94 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 36:8 K:BB through 33.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next weekend against the Nationals.

Buxton isn't in the Twins' lineup Saturday against the Angels.

Buxton will sit down for the start of Saturday's contest after going 1-for-5 with an RBI during Friday's series opener. Alex Kirilloff, Austin Martin and Max Kepler will start across the outfield while Trevor Larnach serves as the Twins' designated hitter.

Miranda isn't in the Twins' lineup for Saturday's game against the Angels.

Miranda will catch a breather Saturday after stringing together back-to-back multi-hit performances. Kyle Farmer will get the nod at the hot corner instead and bat eighth.

The Red Sox transferred Casas (ribs) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Casas was diagnosed with a cartilage tear in his left ribcage Friday, and he won't be eligible to rejoin the Red Sox until at least June 21 as a result of his move to the 60-day IL. The Red Sox made the transaction to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Garrett Cooper, whom the team acquired from the Cubs on Saturday in exchange for cash considerations. Once he arrives in Boston, Cooper will likely take over as the team's everyday first baseman in Casas' stead. Whether Casas is able to return from the IL when first eligible in late June likely won't become clear until weeks down the road, when he could be ready to resume workouts.

Ramirez is not in the Rays' starting lineup for Saturday's game against the White Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Ramirez has started in each of the Rays' last four games, going 4-for-16 with two runs and a stolen base over that span. With Ramirez out of the lineup, Isaac Paredes will shift over to DH for Saturday's game, while Austin Shenton draws the start at first base with Yandy Diaz sitting due to a left pinky injury.

Abreu is starting at first base and batting eighth in Saturday's contest against the Rockies in Mexico City.

Abreu has ceded the starting first base job to Jon Singleton as of late, with the former going 1-for-21 over his last seven games. Abreu will hope to turn around his poor start to the season Saturday against Rockies right-hander Cal Quantrill.

Melendez is not in the Royals' starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Tigers.

Melendez has gone 0-for-12 over his last four starts, reaching base once on a walk over that span. Dairon Blanco will start in left field and bat eighth against Tigers right-hander Casey Mize.

Velazquez is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Tigers.

Velazquez will begin Saturday's game on the bench with the Tigers sending out right-hander Casey Mize. Velazquez is hitless over his last six games and has reached base twice on walks over that span. Lefty-hitting Adam Frazier will start at DH and bat fifth in the lineup Saturday.

Diaz (hand) is not in the starting lineup but is available as a pinch hitter for Saturday's game against the White Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Diaz left Friday's game after taking a 99-mph fastball off his left pinky in the eighth inning. X-rays came back negative, and while he won't start Saturday, he will be available should the Rays need a right-handed bat. With Diaz in the dugout, lefty-hitting Austin Shenton will start at first base and bat in the cleanup spot against White Sox right-hander Jonathan Cannon.

The Rays won't activate Lowe (oblique) from the 10-day injured list this weekend after the outfielder recently experienced tightness in his right hamstring, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After wrapping up his rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Thursday while going 5-for-22 with a home run and four walks over his six-game stint in the minors, Lowe appeared to have fully moved past the right oblique strain that forced him to the IL coming out of spring training. Unfortunately for Lowe, his right hamstring issue now presents a new health concern, and he opted to fly back to Tampa rather than joining the Rays for their series in Chicago this weekend to receive an MRI on his leg. The Rays will wait for Lowe's MRI results to become available before determining his next steps.