MLB Player News

Manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that Stanton (calf) is scheduled to face live pitching Wednesday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

The veteran slugger has been on the shelf since late April due a right calf strain, and going up against live pitching is a significant step in his recovery program. Stanton also returned to running outside over the weekend, as he appears to be in the final stages of his rehab work. It remains to be seen if he'll require a rehab assignment before being activated, but a quick trip to the minors wouldn't be surprising given how long Stanton has been out.

Civale (shoulder) began a throwing progression Monday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Civale is throwing again just under a week after landing on the injured list due to right shoulder tendinitis. The Athletics aren't yet putting a timeline on his return, so Civale would appear to be unlikely to be activated when first eligible June 10. A clearer target for Civale's return should become available once he reaches the point in his throwing program that he's facing hitters.

The Athletics announced Tuesday that Severino has been diagnosed with a strain of his right shoulder capsule and subscapularis muscle and will be re-evaluated in 4-to-6 weeks, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Severino sustained the injury during his most recent start Friday against the Yankees and was placed on the 15-day injured list a day later. The right-hander underwent an MRI on Monday that confirmed the severity of the shoulder strain, which he'll treat with a platelet-rich plasma injection Thursday. Severino will wait for the shot to take effect before he begins the rehab process, and since he's not expected to start ramping up his throwing until he gets re-evaluated at the beginning of July, the 32-year-old would appear unlikely to return from the IL before the All-Star break.

Manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Altuve (oblique) is expected to take live batting practice before the end of the week, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The veteran second baseman has been sidelined nearly three weeks due to an oblique strain but is progressing quickly through his rehab program. Espada previously indicated that Altuve may not require a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining the Astros, so facing live pitching could be the final hurdle before he's cleared to come off the injured list.

Clemens is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

Most of Clemens' absences from the lineup this season have come against left-handed pitching, but he'll get a breather Wednesday while the White Sox send righty Erick Fedde to the hill for a day game after a night game. Clemens had started in every game for the Twins dating back to May 15, slashing .239/.280/.437 with two home runs, eight RBI and seven runs over that 18-game stretch. The 30-year-old had seen playing time at all three outfield spots as well as first base and second base during that period, but he's likely to receive most of his starts at first base moving forward now that Byron Buxton is back to playing center field on a more regular basis.

The Red Sox recalled Seigler from Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Chris Henrique of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

He's sliding into the roster spot vacated by the injured Nick Sogard (side). Seigler has had a great season with Worcester, slashing .298/.425/.471 with three home runs, three stolen bases and a 22:19 BB:K over 30 contests. The 26-year-old has split playing time between second and third base with Worcester and could get some reps at those positions with the big club.

Gonzalez will start at first base and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Twins.

Gonzalez was left out of the starting nine for the White Sox's first game following his call-up from Triple-A Charlotte last Saturday, but manager Will Venable has since included the 24-year-old in the lineup in each of the ensuing four games. Through his first three starts, Gonzalez has gone 2-for-10 with a 1:6 BB:K. He looks like he'll be given an extended trial as the White Sox's everyday first baseman while star rookie Munetaka Murakami (hamstring) is on the shelf for at least the next four weeks.

The Red Sox placed Sogard on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a right oblique strain, Chris Henrique of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

It's unclear how long the injury has been bothering Sogard, but he hasn't played since Saturday. Anthony Seigler is grabbing Sogard's spot on Boston's active roster, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa could see steadier playing time while Sogard is out.

McKinstry is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

McKinstry had started in each of Detroit's last three games, but he could be at risk of falling into more of a part-time role after the Tigers reinstated Gleyber Torres from the 10-day injured list Tuesday. Since the beginning of May, the Tigers rank 29th in the majors with a .287 wOBA, and McKinstry has played a major part in the team's offensive struggles. During that stretch, McKinstry is slashing just .127/.238/.141 over 86 plate appearances.

Kirk (thumb) could be activated from the injured list early next week, with Blue Jays manager John Schneider indicating the catcher would need about 20 at-bats on his rehab assignment before being ready to rejoin the lineup, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Kirk will begin his rehab stint at Single-A Dunedin on Wednesday, and depending on whether he's allowed to play on consecutive days right away, he could have time to get in 20 at-bats by the weekend. The organization might elect to be a little more cautious with the 27-year-old given that he last saw big-league action April 3, but with the Jays sliding in the standings and looking for a spark, they'll want their starting backstop back in the lineup as soon as possible. Tyler Heineman and Brandon Valenzuela will continue holding down the fort behind the plate until Kirk is cleared to return.