MLB Player News

Kurtz is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the White Sox.

It's unclear if Kurtz's absence is related to the illness he dealt with earlier this week that caused him to be removed from Wednesday's contest. Kurtz started Thursday but went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts. With Kurtz idle, Joey Meneses is batting sixth and making the start at first base against right-hander Sean Burke.

The Astros designated Shewmake for assignment Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

With Jeremy Pena (calf) returning from the injured list Friday, Shewmake became a roster casualty. The 28-year-old slashed .256/.272/.423 with three home runs, nine RBI, 10 runs scored across 83 plate appearances with Houston this season.

The Astros activated Pena (calf) from the 10-day injured list Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Houston DFA'd Braden Shewmake in a corresponding move. Pena hasn't played since June 28 due to a mild left calf strain, but he's ready to return to the lineup after missing just 11 days of action. The shortstop is slashing .295/.356/.443 with six homers, 21 RBI, 34 runs scored, eight stolen bases and a 15:35 BB:K across 202 plate appearances this season.

Rodriguez (concussion) is not expected to be activated from the 7-day injured list for this weekend's series against the Rays, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

Rodriguez is eligible to come off the injured list Friday, but he's already not in the lineup for the series opener against the Rays, and it sounds like he's going to take the entire weekend set along with the All-Star break to rest up before the second half of the season. Luke Raley is starting in center field and batting sixth for Seattle against right-hander Nick Martinez on Friday.

Manager A.J. Hinch said Friday that Eduardo Valencia will start at catcher Saturday against the Phillies, and it's uncertain if Dingler (thumb) will play in Sunday's series finale, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Dingler is not in the lineup for Friday's series opener against Philadelphia, as Jake Rogers is doing the catching and batting ninth. Valencia will catch Saturday, suggesting Dingler has already been ruled out for that game. Hinch said Dingler is progressing with his bruised thumb, but he remains day-to-day. It's possible Dingler will remain sidelined through the All-Star break.

Vest has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right elbow, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Vest will not require surgery, but he remains without a clear timetable for return after he was initially placed on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation July 1. It's been an ugly 2026 season for the right-hander, as he's posted a 6.08 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 27:10 K:BB across 26.2 innings. His 3.41 FIP would suggest he's been extremely unlucky.

The Athletics recalled Meneses from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

With Zack Gelof (knee) headed to the 10-day IL, Meneses will provide some depth at first base and in the corner outfield spots. He's taken 18 plate appearances with the Athletics this season, going 2-for-14 with two RBI and three walks. Meneses has a .947 OPS with 12 homers and 80 RBI at Triple-A.

The Athletics placed Gelof on the 10-day injured list Friday with a right knee laceration.

Gelof suffered the injury during Thursday's game against the Tigers, and he'll now be sidelined through the All-Star break. Gelof had just returned from the injured list July 4 after he dealt with a hand laceration. The 26-year-old is in the midst of a career season, slashing .273/.327/.476 with 11 homers, 29 RBI, 41 runs scored, eight stolen bases and a 14:62 BB:K across 247 trips to the plate. Jeff McNeil could see an uptick in playing time while Gelof is sidelined.

Pasquantino (hand) is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Orioles.

Despite being activated from the 10-day injured list earlier in the day, Pasquantino will not be in the starting nine against Baltimore for Friday's series opener. Instead, Salvador Perez will man first base and bat sixth with Nick Loftin hitting eighth and handling DH duties.

Emerson is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Rays.

It appears to be a routine day off for the 20-year-old infielder after making 15 consecutive starts. Emerson is slashing just .206/.282/.404 with seven long balls, 19 RBI, 17 runs scored, three stolen bases and a 13:54 BB:K across his first 156 big-league plate appearances. With Emerson getting the night off, J.P. Crawford is manning shortstop and leading off for the Mariners, while Buddy Kennedy bats ninth and plays third base.