MLB Player News

The Royals recalled Klein from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Klein, 24, has allowed just one unearned run with a 12:6 K:BB over 11 innings this season with Omaha. The reliever will be making his major-league debut when/if he enters a game.

The Royals placed Marsh on the 15-day injured Thursday with a right elbow contusion.

Marsh departed early in his start in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Toronto after being struck in the right elbow by a comebacker. X-rays came back negative on Marsh's elbow, and though he sustained nothing more than a bruise, the Royals decided it was best to shut him down for the next 15 days. The Royals called up Will Klein from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday to give the bullpen a fresh arm in the short term, but it's not immediately clear who will replace Marsh in the rotation.

The Blue Jays recalled Little from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday.

He'll join the Toronto bullpen as a replacement for Bowden Francis (forearm), who was placed on the 15-day injured list. Little has compiled a 2.89 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 16:8 K:BB over 9.1 innings across his nine relief appearances for Buffalo.

The Blue Jays placed Francis on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right forearm extensor tendinitis.

Since making his last start April 7, Francis has made his subsequent three appearances as a piggyback reliever behind starter Yariel Rodriguez. Francis scooped up wins in 2.1- and two-inning outings April 13 and 19, but he didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Royals after tossing two scoreless frames once Rodriguez exited the contest. Though he didn't appear to be nursing any sort of injury during the relief outing, Francis was apparently diagnosed with the forearm issue when he was evaluated afterward. He won't be eligible to rejoin Toronto until May 10 after landing on the IL.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Rafaela is viewed as the team's everyday shortstop at this point, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Cora has said as much through his actions -- Rafaela will make his sixth straight start at shortstop Thursday versus the Guardians -- and now the skipper has confirmed it with his words. Rafaela has received high marks for his defense both at shortstop and in center field, and using him at shortstop with Trevor Story (shoulder) out for the season helps address the Red Sox's logjam in the outfield. With Rafaela settling in at shortstop, Wilyer Abreu has become an everyday player in the outfield, making 10 straight starts.

Taveras is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mariners.

Taveras will sit for the first time since April 7, breaking a stretch of 16 consecutive starts. The day off could probably do Taveras some good, as he's gone hitless in 12 at-bats over his last four games to drop his batting average to .200. Evan Carter will shift over from his usual spot in left field to spell Taveras in center.

Heim is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mariners.

Heim looks to be receiving some routine maintenance as the Rangers and Mariners wrap up their series with a day game after a night game. Andrew Knizner will get the starting nod behind the plate.

The Rangers optioned Anderson to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Anderson's latest stint in the majors lasted just one day, and he struck out two in a scoreless inning in Wednesday's win over the Mariners. He's being replaced in the bullpen by Josh Sborz (shoulder), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list.

The Rangers activated Sborz (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Sborz made one rehab appearance with Double-A Frisco on Tuesday, and that was enough to convince the Rangers he was ready to go. The reliever had three scoreless outings for the Rangers earlier this month before going down with a rotator cuff strain. Sborz should regain his high-leverage relief role immediately.

Seager (shin) will serve as the Rangers' designated hitter and No. 2 batter in Thursday's game against the Mariners.

Seager was removed late in Wednesday's 5-1 win over Seattle after getting hit by a pitch in the seventh inning. According to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News, manager Bruce Bochy said after the contest that Seager's left shin "swelled up pretty good," but the 29-year-old evidently feels good enough Thursday to give it a go, albeit in a non-defensive role. Josh Smith will take over Seager's usual duties at shortstop.