MLB Player News

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Wednesday that Lowe will need "about 30 [at-bats], could be more" during his minor-league rehab assignment before returning from the 10-day injured list, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

After kicking off his rehab assignment at Double-A Frisco last Friday, Lowe looked as though he could be ready to rejoin the Rangers by the weekend. However, Bochy's comments suggest that the Rangers are planning for Lowe to have a more extended stay in the minors to get his timing back at the plate before reinstalling him as their everyday first baseman. Lowe has since shifted his assignment to Triple-A Round Rock and has gotten in 16 at-bats over five total minor-league games, recording just one hit (a home run) while drawing two walks. If Bochy sticks to his estimate of Lowe needing about 30 at-bats before being activated, the 28-year-old seems poised to remain with Round Rock through the weekend before rejoining the Rangers for the start of their homestand next Tuesday.

Rortvedt is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Angels, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

Rortvedt has started in just one of the Rays' last five games. The first three of those absences came against left-handed starting pitchers, but the lefty-hitting Rortvedt will give way to the right-handed-hitting Rene Pinto on Thursday even while right-hander Griffin Canning takes the hill for the Angels.

Brennan is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox.

The Red Sox are opening the game with a left-hander (Brennan Bernardino), so the lefty-hitting Brennan will bow out of the starting nine in the series finale. Jose Ramirez will get a day off out of the field and serve as the Guardians' designated hitter in place of Brennan on Thursday.

Hicks is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rays, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Hicks finds himself on the bench for the third time in four games and may be viewed as a part-time player at this time in the wake of his rough start to the season. Over 48 plate appearances with the Angels, Hicks is slashing .159/.229/.227 with a career-worst 31.2 percent strikeout rate.

O'Hoppe is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rays, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

He'll receive a breather for the day game after drawing starts at catcher both of the past two days. Matt Thaiss will check in behind the plate and will form a battery with starting pitcher Griffin Canning.

Walsh is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Tigers.

The lefty-hitting Walsh will close out the series in Detroit with two consecutive absences from the lineup, though Thursday's is more noteworthy since the Tigers are bringing a right-hander (Kenta Maeda) to the hill. Walsh has been operating in a strong-side platoon role at first base all season, but he's mustered an underwhelming .638 OPS through 60 plate appearances and looks at risk of losing work to Ezequiel Duran.

Kwan is out of the lineup for Thursday's contest in Boston.

Kwan will get his first day off of the season. David Fry will start in left field in place of Kwan, while Andres Gimenez serves as Cleveland's leadoff batter.

The Royals returned Veneziano to Triple-A Omaha following Wednesday's doubleheader with the White Sox.

Veneziano wasn't needed out of the bullpen for either game of the twin bill and is still waiting to make his 2024 MLB debut. The 26-year-old lefty has made four appearances (two starts) for Omaha this season, logging a 3.27 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB in 11 innings.

The Rangers transferred Burke (hand) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Jack Leiter, who was called up from Triple-A Round Rock to start Thursday's game against the Tigers. Burke's timetable for a return won't be affected by the move to the 60-day IL, as he was already expected to be sidelined for extended period after fracturing his right (non-throwing) hand last week.

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

Anderson has permitted four runs over two innings covering his three relief appearances this season. He's clearing out to make room on the 26-man active roster for right-hander Jack Leiter, who was called up from Triple-A to start Thursday's game against the Tigers.