MLB Player News

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

Vierling has started in each of the Tigers' last six games, going 6-for-21 with three runs, one double and one triple over that span. Against Royals right-hander Brady Singer, the Tigers will start lefty-hitting Zach McKinstry at third base.

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

Meadows will get a rest day Saturday after starting in each of the Tigers' last seven games. He has struggled over that span, going 2-for-24 with three runs and a solo home run while striking out 12 times. The switch-hitting Wenceel Perez will start at center field Saturday and bat third against Royals right-hander Brady Singer.

Pivetta (elbow) is pencilled in to make a rehab start Thursday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

He threw 50 pitches in a live batting practice session Saturday, so Pivetta may only need one rehab outing before rejoining the big-league rotation. If he does return after Thursday's rehab start, Pivetta would line up to start in the two-game series in Atlanta on either May 8 or May 9.

The Cubs traded Cooper to the Red Sox on Saturday in exchange for cash, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Cooper was designated for assignment Tuesday despite sporting a .270/.341/.432 slash line through 41 plate appearances. He has no minor-league options remaining, so he will occupy a spot on Boston's big-league roster and should see regular time at first base while Triston Casas (ribs) is out.

Ibanez (hamstring) will start at second base for Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Ibanez has played two games in Triple-A as part of his rehab assignment, going 3-for-6 with two doubles and one RBI over that span. If all goes well in Sunday's stint, Ibanez could be available for the Tigers' next series against the Cardinals starting Monday.

Kelly (ribs) is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Royals.

Kelly was scratched ahead of Friday's game against Kansas City due to left ribcage soreness. While Kelly won't start Saturday, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that the backup catcher is available for the contest, per Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic.

Noda is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Orioles.

Noda will begin Saturday's game in the dugout with the Orioles sending out southpaw Cole Irvin. It marks the third game in a row that Noda hasn't started, though he did pinch hit in each of the Athletics' last two games. Abraham Toro will start at first base Saturday and bat fifth.

Garcia is not in the Rangers' starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Reds.

Garcia will begin Saturday's game in the dugout. His last rest day was April 16 against the Tigers, though he did pinch hit for Jared Walsh in the ninth inning. Lefty-hitting Travis Jankowski will start in right field Saturday and bat eighth against Reds right-hander Hunter Greene.

Whitley was placed on the minor-league injured list Saturday with right elbow discomfort, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Whitley made his major-league debut with the Astros on April 16, allowing one hit and one walk but no runs over two-thirds of an inning against Atlanta. He was sent back to Triple-A Sugar Land after that outing, and he has thrown two scoreless innings while striking out four over his last two appearances in the minors.

The Astros removed Valdez (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Saturday, per the MLB transaction log.

Valdez is set to start in Sunday's game against the Rockies as part of a two-game series in Mexico City. The 30-year-old southpaw landed on the Astros' 15-day IL on April 9 due to left elbow inflammation. Valdez threw a 40-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, and he will likely be on a pitch count over his first few outings.