MLB Player News

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Wednesday that he will play the matchups in the ninth inning for the short term, but he still views Erceg as a long-term closer option, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Quatraro made the statement prior to Alex Lange notching his first save of the season in Wednesday's win over the Reds. Erceg blew his sixth save of the season Tuesday and holds a 6.45 ERA with a 20:15 K:BB across 22.1 innings this season. While Erceg could still see save chances for the Royals in the immediate future, he will have to contend with Lange, Daniel Lynch and Matt Strahm. Carlos Estevez (shoulder) should also throw his hat back in the ring if he can get healthy.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that Stanton (calf) will not be activated from the 10-day injured list during the team's June 8-14 road trip, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Stanton took live batting practice Wednesday and will do so again Saturday as he ramps things up, but he's still more than a week away from rejoining the active roster. It's unclear whether the Yankees will ask him to play rehab games before returning, but Stanton is tracking toward activation around mid-June.

Diaz (oblique) has been hitting, throwing and catching bullpen sessions during workouts this week and is close to heading out on a rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

The Astros haven't offered up an official timeline for Diaz's return from the left oblique strain that sent him to the injured list May 5, but if he's cleared to join a minor-league affiliate within the next few days, he could have a realistic shot at rejoining the big club by the middle of June. Since Diaz was deactivated, Christian Vazquez has taken over as the Astros' No. 1 catcher, with Cesar Salazar serving as Vazquez's backup.

The Astros announced Friday that Walter (elbow) is in the midst of a throwing progression at the team's complex in West Palm Beach, Fla., Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Walter is one of three Astros starters in Florida rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, though Hayden Wesneski (elbow) and Ronel Blanco (elbow) are further along in their programs after undergoing procedures in May and June of last year, respectively. Both Wesneski and Blanco will have chances at returning from the 60-day injured list late in the season, but since he had his surgery Sept. 23, 2025, Walter isn't a realistic candidate to pitch until 2027. Walter's main focus will be building up toward facing live hitters by the end of the season with the aim of entering spring training with few restrictions, if any.

DeLauter is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Yankees.

After going hitless in the first two games of the series, the left-handed-hitting DeLauter will get a break Thursday against southpaw Carlos Rodon. David Fry will serve as the Guardians' designated hitter and Angel Martinez will patrol right field.

Manzardo is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Yankees.

The left-handed-hitting Manzardo was in the lineup the last time the Guardians faced a lefty, but he'll take a seat in this one as the Yankees send southpaw Carlos Rodon to the bump. Rhys Hoskins is handling first base for Cleveland.

The Astros announced Friday that Sousa (elbow) has begun a throwing progression, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Sousa was placed on the 15-day injured list May 9 due to left elbow inflammation and was shut down from activity for nearly three weeks before receiving clearance to start playing catch. The left-handed reliever isn't expected to require a lengthy buildup period, but he'll presumably need to complete a rehab assignment prior to being activated from the IL.

Wells is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Guardians.

After starting each of the last four games at catcher, Wells will get a well-earned break during Thursday's matinee. J.C. Escarra will be behind the plate and bat eighth for the Yankees.

Bailey is not in the lineup for Thursday's tilt versus the Yankees.

Bailey started at catcher in the first two games of the series, so it will be Austin Hedges behind the dish for the Guardians on Thursday afternoon. Since arriving in Cleveland via trade, Bailey has made 12 starts at catcher, while Hedges has started 11 games and David Fry has started one.

Loperfido (quadriceps) has gone 7-for-23 (.304 average) with a double, a stolen base and a 4:7 BB:K in six games since moving his rehab assignment from Double-A Corpus Christi to Triple-A Sugar Land.

Loperfido made his first and only appearance for Corpus Christi on May 24, striking out in his first two at-bats before leaving the game when he was hit on the foot by a pitch during his final plate appearance. He was held out of action the next two days but was cleared to play upon reporting to Sugar Land, where he's continued to stockpile at-bats. He played full nine-inning games in the corner outfield Tuesday and Wednesday, so Loperfido could be ready to return from the 10-day injured list during the Astros' home series versus the Athletics this weekend.