MLB Player News

Houck (elbow) tossed a live bullpen session to batters Tuesday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

It's a significant step in the right direction for Houck, as Tuesday was the first time he faced hitters since undergoing Tommy John Surgery in August 2025. Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy told reporters that Houck is "in the picture" for a major-league role toward the tail end of the regular season, if the right-hander is cleared to return from the 60-day IL.

Alexander (hand) is expected to begin a rehab assignment within the next week, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Alexander is nearing the final stages of his rehab from a left hand fracture. Depending when exactly the 27-year-old is cleared to begin a rehab assignment, he could be back from the injured list before the end of August.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that Fried (elbow) could return from the injured list immediately after he completes the required 15-day stay, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Fried landed on the 15-day IL on Monday with a left elbow bone bruise, which is the same issue that caused him to miss more than two months earlier this season. It seems the injury is less serious this time around, with Boone indicating the IL move was precautionary. Fried played catch Tuesday and will ramp up his throwing as tolerated. It's unclear at this point whether the left-hander will make a rehab start before rejoining the Yankees' rotation.

Wilson (shoulder) is not in the Athletics' starting lineup against the Royals on Tuesday.

Wilson was scrapped from Monday's lineup due to shoulder soreness, and the 24-year-old shortstop will be out of the A's starting nine for a second consecutive day. Darell Hernaiz will get the nod at shortstop Tuesday and bat ninth.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that Judge (ribs) will begin a hitting progression this week, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Judge has been playing catch and running, as well as "doing swing-related stuff in the pool" the last couple days, per Boone. The three-time MVP will begin a hitting progression this week as he continues to work his way back from a stress fracture in his rib. A timeline for Judge's return hasn't been established yet, but he appears to be making incremental steps in the right direction.

The Rangers designated Wynns for assignment Tuesday.

Danny Jansen (forearm) is back from the injured list, and the Rangers have elected to keep Elias Diaz around as his backup rather than Wynns. Wynns has slashed only .146/.195/.183 in 34 games for three different big-league clubs in 2026.

The Rangers activated Jansen (forearm) from the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

Jansen is finally ready to rejoin the Rangers after missing more than two months with a right forearm strain. The veteran catcher slashed .188/.291/.312 with three homers in 46 games before getting hurt and went 5-for-15 in five rehab contests. Though Jansen will likely receive the bulk of the reps at catcher for the Rangers down the stretch, he could be eased back into a full workload after missing so much time.

Bautista (shoulder) could begin a rehab assignment within the next week, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Coming back from surgery to repair his right labrum and rotator cuff, Bautista has reportedly looked impressive as he ramps up a a throwing program, and he's nearly ready to try things out in games. The reliever's rehab assignment will be a lengthy one, but he could be ready to rejoin the Orioles' bullpen by early September.

Robles (shoulder) will start in right field and bat eighth in Tuesday's game against the Brewers.

Robles was unavailable to play in the Mariners' last contest Sunday versus the Astros due to right shoulder soreness, but he's good to go after Monday's team off day. He'll handle right field for Seattle while Taylor Ward (quadriceps) is on the mend.

Ward (quadriceps) remains out of the lineup for Tuesday's game in Milwaukee.

Ward has not played since last Wednesday as be battles nagging tightness in his quad. The Mariners have been listing him as day-to-day, but he's available off the bench for Tuesday's series opener and could be back in the lineup Wednesday, per Tim Booth of The Seattle Times. Victor Robles will cover right field in Ward's stead.