MLB Player News

Brown (shoulder) will make his next start at Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Manager Joe Espada said Friday that the Astros were debating whether to have Brown make another start in the minors, and they've officially decided to keep the right-hander in Triple-A for one more tuneup outing before activating him. Starting Wednesday would line him up to return from the 60-day IL on June 15 to face the Tigers at home.

Basallo (abdomen) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Toronto.

Basallo will officially miss a start after exiting Friday's game with right abdominal discomfort. Sam Huff was selected from Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday to provide depth at catcher in case Basallo needs to spend time on the injured list, though it remains unknown whether that will be necessary. Taylor Ward will work as Baltimore's DH in place of Basallo on Saturday, opening up left field for Blaze Alexander.

Ward will serve as the designated hitter and bat leadoff Saturday against the Blue Jays.

The 32-year-old will move from his usual post in left field to designated hitter Saturday while Samuel Basallo sits with an abdominal injury. Ward has begun to heat up at the plate recently, tallying seven base hits while scoring three runs across his last three games.

Smith isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Athletics, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Smith will get a chance to regroup Saturday after going hitless in four of his last five games. While he sits, LaMonte Wade, Jake Meyers and Taylor Trammell will form the Astros' outfield trio.

Keaschall isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Royals.

Keaschall will step out of the starting nine Saturday after going 0-for-7 with a walk and two strikeouts through the first two games of the series. Royce Lewis will replace him as Minnesota's second baseman and bat seventh.

Buxton (shoulder) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Royals.

Buxton injured his right shoulder colliding with the outfield wall while making a catch Friday, and the Twins will give him a day off Saturday so that he can recover. Ryan Kreidler will patrol center field in Buxton's stead.

Bennett is the top candidate to replace Brayan Bello in Boston's starting rotation, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Bello was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, and Boston will need to fill his spot next Tuesday against Tampa Bay. Bennett is the most logical option, given that he's made a couple of starts for Boston already this season. He last pitched Tuesday for the WooSox and will be on extra rest against the Rays.

Sandoval (biceps) walked one over 1.1 innings for Triple-A Worcester on Friday.

Sandoval had been scheduled to throw one inning, but he went back out after cruising through his first inning, per Triple-A Worcester's official site. The left-hander restarted a rehab assignment that was scrapped in April. At that time, he was rehabbing from an internal brace procedure on his elbow but was set back by the biceps.

Varsho (wrist) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Baltimore.

Varsho was forced to make an early exit from Friday's contest due to left wrist inflammation, and the Blue Jays will give him a chance to rest Saturday while Myles Straw starts in center field.

Higashioka went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's 3-2 win over Cleveland.

Higashioka ignited Texas' three-run sixth inning with a leadoff homer, his fourth of the season. The blast also extended a hit streak to four games, during which he's 7-for-13 with three extra-base hits, two RBI and five runs scored. He's appeared in 32 games and is essentially sharing catching duties with Danny Jansen (41 games), but Higashioka has been the better hitter. He's has a .712 OPS compared to Jansen's .586 OPS.