MLB Player News

Kirk (thumb) is expected to begin hitting this weekend, Brian Murphy of MLB.com reports.

The backstop has been sidelined since April 3 due to a fractured thumb that required surgery, but Kirk's recovery is proceeding without setbacks and the Blue Jays remain optimistic he'll be back before the end of May. In his absence, Brandon Valenzuela and Tyler Heineman will continue to split catching duties.

Barger (ankles) went 1-for-4 with a solo home run for Single-A Dunedin on Wednesday in what is expected to be his final rehab game before returning from the 10-day injured list, Brian Murphy of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old has gone yard twice in three rehab games for Dunedin. While Barger could be added back to the 26-man active roster Friday, he may not be plugged into the starting lineup right away, as the Blue Jays are set to face Angels southpaw Reid Detmers in the first game of the weekend series. Prior to being injured April 5, all five of Barger's starts to begin the season had come against right-handed pitching.

Duran started at second base and went 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base, a double, two RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Yankees.

Duran had a run-producing double in the third inning and scored later in the same inning. He's started both of the Rangers' games since Josh Smith (glute) landed on the 10-day injured list and will likely be the primary replacement at the keystone while Smith is on the shelf. Given how productive he's been when given a chance to play, Duran could be making a case for sticking around in an everyday role even once Smith is healthy. Duran has slashed .303/.372/.461 with nine extra-base hits, 11 RBI, four steals and 12 runs over 28 games while receiving reps at second base, shortstop, third base, right field and left field.

The White Sox activated Cannon (hip) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday and optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte.

Cannon made a couple rehab appearances for Charlotte after overcoming a hip injury, getting rocked for 10 runs over five innings. He'll remain with Charlotte in a swingman role rather than joining the big club now that he's healthy again.

The White Sox activated Murphy (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday and optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte.

Murphy is recovered from his left elbow impingement, but the White Sox have elected to keep him at Charlotte, where he had been on a rehab assignment. The southpaw allowed seven runs with a 6:5 K:BB over six innings before landing on the IL last month.

Halpin went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Kansas City.

Halpin moved up from first base when the runner ahead of him, Austin Hedges, stole third base. That put Halpin in position to score the go-ahead run on a two-run single by Chase DeLauter. The stolen base was his first since being called up last Friday and 10th overall in 2026, when including the nine he swiped for Triple-A Columbus. As another left-handed bat in a lefty-dominant outfield, Halpin doesn't appear to have a platoon advantage over the outfield regulars, but his speed could lead to pinch-running opportunities.

Hedges went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Royals. He was also caught stealing.

Hedges, a backup catcher, was an unlikely spark in the Guardians' win that snapped a three-game skid. At second base and down 1-0 in the top of the fifth inning, Hedges took off for third base and narrowly beat the throw for his first successful swipe of the season and 17th of his 12-year MLB career. On the play, Petey Halpin moved from first to second base, setting up a situation where Chase DeLauter's single delivered both runners. Hedges was later cut down trying to steal in the ninth. It was the second time in three starts that Hedges made an impact in a Cleveland win. There are no immediate plans to change the catching depth chart, but Hedges has .311/.360/.467 slash line over 16 games, which compares very favorably to starter Bo Naylor's .127/.188/.190 line through 27 contests.

Alonso went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's win over the Marlins.

Alonso made an immediate impact, launching his three-run shot in the first inning. The veteran first baseman now has seven homers on the year, and he also extended his hitting streak to seven games. He owns a .360 average and 1.328 OPS with three homers, eight RBI and 10 runs scored over that stretch.

Ober (3-2) was tagged wth the loss Wednesday against the Nationals after allowing five runs on six hits and two walks across five innings. He struck out three.

Ober tossed 52 of his 82 pitches for strikes, and overall, this was a step in the wrong direction for the right-hander -- he was coming off three straight outings in which he'd given up two or fewer earned runs while pitching at least six innings each time. Ober, who has a 4.19 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across eight starts and 43 innings this season, is scheduled to make his next start against the Marlins at home next week.

Garcia recorded his second save of the season Wednesday after tossing a scoreless ninth inning against the Marlins, walking one and striking out one.

Garcia needed just 15 pitches (nine strikes) to get the job done in the bottom of the ninth while holding a three-run lead. After issuing a leadoff walk to Owen Caissie, Garcia induced a double-play groundout from Otto Lopez before retiring Javier Sanoja on a game-ending strikeout. Garcia seems to be the top option to operate as the Orioles' closer as long as Ryan Helsley (elbow) is on the shelf and has been pitching very well of late. This was his sixth straight scoreless outing, a span where he's yet to allow a hit while posting a 6:2 K:BB through five frames.