MLB Player News

Meckler (head) is starting in left field and batting third Monday against the Diamondbacks, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Meckler was lifted from Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay after he ran into the wall in center field during the fourth inning. However, he managed to avoid a significant injury and will be right back in the lineup for Monday's series opener. Meckler is 2-for-14 with one double, two RBI and three runs scored over his last five appearances.

Verlander (hip) threw 66 pitches during a four-inning simulated game Monday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Verlander went up against the likes of Hao-Yu Lee, Jake Rogers and Wenceel Perez during Monday's sim game, per Petzold. Petzold also notes that it seems as though the Tigers aren't confident the veteran right-hander is ready to face major-league competition, despite being given a clean bill of health. It's not yet clear as to when Verlander will be activated from the 60-day injured list, though Saturday against the White Sox appears to be the next possibility.

Simpson isn't in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Dodgers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Simpson will head to the bench for the series opener with southpaw Eric Lauer expected to toe the rubber for Los Angeles Monday evening. Ryan Vilade gets the nod in left field and is batting cleanup in Simpson's place.

Feduccia isn't in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Dodgers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Feduccia will head to the bench for the series opener with the Rays slated to face lefty Eric Lauer. Nick Fortes will draw the start behind the dish and bat eighth.

The Astros announced Monday that Shewmake (adductor) has taken part in baseball activity and is working his way through a running progression at the team's facility in Florida, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Shewmake is making progress in his recovery from the right adductor strain that sent him to the injured list June 2, but the fact that he's conducting his rehab in Florida rather than with Houston suggests that his return isn't imminent. Once Shewmake eventually recovers from the adductor injury, he'll likely have to settle for a utility infield role now that Jose Altuve has beaten him back from the IL.

Diaz (oblique) is expected to be reinstated from the 10-day injured list prior to Tuesday's game against the Tigers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Diaz wasn't able to play a full nine-inning rehab game behind the plate Sunday as planned after Triple-A Sugar Land had its series finale rained out, but after returning to Houston, he was able to get in some live at-bats Monday at Daikin Park. Assuming his oblique isn't presenting any issues for him coming out of that workout, Diaz should step back in behind the plate Tuesday to catch for starting pitcher Hunter Brown (shoulder), who is also on track to be reinstated from the IL. Before the left oblique strain sent him to the shelf May 5, Diaz had gotten off to a slow start to the season, slashing just .235/.255/.347 with two home runs, 14 RBI and seven runs across 106 plate appearances.

The Athletics recalled Morales from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Morales began the season in the Athletics' rotation, but he was demoted after two poor starts and lately has been pitching in a relief role with Las Vegas. He will provide the bullpen with some length after the A's relievers were overworked this past weekend.

The Athletics optioned Basso to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Basso was tagged for four runs while recording just five outs in Sunday's loss to the Rockies. He's being sent out in favor of Luis Morales.

The Angels recalled Fermin from Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday.

In 16 outings out of the Angels' bullpen this season, Fermin has logged a 5.40 ERA and 18:13 K:BB over 15 innings. He will be utilized in a middle relief role.

Perez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros.

Perez finds himself on the bench for a fifth straight matchup with a right-handed starting pitcher and looks to have faded into a short-side platoon role. The 26-year-old switch hitter is slashing just .159/.237/.290 in 118 plate appearances against right-handers this season.