MLB Player News

Volpe went 3-for-4 with two stolen bases and scored two runs in Sunday's 8-3 victory versus Toronto.

Volpe has been swinging a hot bat to start the season, as he's slashing .424/.486/.606 through 37 plate appearances. The 22-year-old has also swiped three bags in four attempts and has scored nine times while knocking one homer and driving in three runs. Volpe worked to flatten his swing during spring training, and the results so far are promising considering that he hit just .209 as a rookie last year.

Verlander (shoulder) allowed seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and a walk over three innings in his first rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.

It wasn't a pretty bottom line, although Verlander did strike out six batters and induced a solid 12 whiffs on his 65 pitches. The veteran right-hander averaged 93.5 mph with his four-seamer, which is nearly one full mph down from his average from last season. Verlander is expected to make one more rehab start later this week before rejoining the Astros' rotation as soon as April 17 versus Atlanta.

Pena went 1-for-4 with a stolen base Sunday against the Rangers.

Pena has had a strong start to the season, posting three extra-base hits -- including two homers -- across his first 38 plate appearances. He added his first stolen base of the campaign Sunday after being caught on his initial attempt March 31. Pena was successful on the basepaths only 13 times on 22 attempts in 2023, but it appears he still has the green light.

Robert was diagnosed Monday with a Grade 2 right hip flexor strain and is expected to be sidelined for 6-to-8 weeks, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Robert suffered this past Friday while running the bases and was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday. He dealt with a Grade 3 right hip flexor strain back in 2021 and wound up being sidelined for nearly three and a half months. Dominic Fletcher has shifted over to center field for the White Sox to accommodate for the loss of Robert, while Kevin Pillar and Robbie Grossman should see increases in playing time in right field. The club could also eventually decide to call up Oscar Colas from Triple-A Charlotte to handle an everyday role in the outfield.

Grossman will get an extended chance to serve as the White Sox's leadoff hitter, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Grossman had his contract selected by the club Friday and has started two of three games since. He led off for the first time Sunday and went 0-for-5, but after the game, manager Pedro Grifol suggested Grossman would get more looks at the top of the order. Andrew Benintendi has served as the leadoff hitter to this point, but he hit fifth Sunday and could stick in that position.

Banks will serve as an opener in Monday's game in Cleveland, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The White Sox have utilized just four traditional starters thus far and that will continue Monday with Banks receiving an opener assignment. Banks is unscored upon in two appearances this season.

Vaughn went 1-for-4 with a walk and three strikeouts Sunday against the Royals.

Despite his three punchouts in Sunday's game, Vaughn has struck out at only a 20 percent clip this season. He's still hitting only .194 across 35 plate appearances, a mark that should improve over time. More concerning is Vaughn's lack of power, as he has zero extra-base hits and has yet to barrel a ball across 24 batted-ball events.

Moncada went 2-for-5 with a double Sunday against the Royals.

Moncada tallied only his second multi-hit game of the season, but he has at least one knock in seven of his nine games. He also boasts an impressive 13.2 percent walk rate. Despite his strong individual start to the new campaign, Moncada has just three runs scored and zero RBI due to the poor lineup context around him -- something that doesn't project to change in 2024.

Dubin (forearm) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.

Dubin stuck out a pair in a scoreless frame in his first outing with the Space Cowboys. The right-hander missed all of spring training due to injury, so he figures to require a handful of rehab appearances before being considered for a spot in Houston's bullpen or rotation.

Duarte was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Twins on Sunday, retroactive to April 4, with a right triceps strain.

Duarte has pitched well out of Minnesota's bullpen this season in yielding just one run over four innings, but he'll now be on the shelf for at last a couple weeks and potentially longer. Jose Miranda has taken his spot on the roster.