MLB Player News

Aranda (wrist) will face live pitching this weekend at the Rays' spring training complex in Florida, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Aranda has been ramping up his baseball activities, and if things go well, the 27-year-old could be activated from the 10-day injured list during the final week of the season. He's been sidelined since late July with a fractured left wrist.

Sandlin (elbow) threw a bullpen session over the weekend and will throw another one later this week, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Sandlin has been sidelined since before the All-Star break with right shoulder inflammation and encountered multiple setbacks, but he's not giving up hope on a late-season return. The righty has posted a 2.20 ERA and 16:8 K:BB over 16.1 frames this season out of the Blue Jays' bullpen.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Santander (shoulder) will remain on his rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo through at least Thursday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Santander has served as Buffalo's designated hitter each of the last four days, going 3-for-13 with one home run and a 4:4 BB:K. He'll be the DH again Tuesday before playing the outfield Wednesday and Thursday. Schneider noted Monday that Santander has been feeling good and recovering well, but the skipper offered no target date for the 30-year-old's return. Santander has been out since late May with a subluxation of his left shoulder.

Volpe is not starting for the Yankees against the Twins on Monday, but New York manager Aaron Boone relayed that the 24-year-old shortstop is healthy enough to be a "full player," Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

Volpe will be out of the Yankees' starting lineup for a sixth consecutive game, but the cortisone shot he received for his partially torn labrum has helped in his recovery. Boone said that Volpe is healthy enough to start Monday, but Jose Caballero will draw the start at shortstop and bat eighth for the series opener. Volpe and Caballero could be looking at split playing time in the two weeks leading up to the postseason.

Dubon is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rangers.

Dubon had started in three of the last four games and five of the past seven contests, but he'll likely be in line for a reduction in playing time over the final two weeks of the regular season now that Houston has most of its key position players available. He filled in for a banged-up Jose Altuve (foot) at the keystone in Sunday's 8-3 loss to Atlanta, but Altuve will be back in the lineup Monday.

Cole is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rangers.

After being called up from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Cole drew three straight starts in left field during the Astros' weekend series with Atlanta, going 4-for-10 with a home run, two walks, two runs, four RBI and two runs. Despite the strong start to his time in the big leagues, Cole could have difficulty carving out an everyday role while the Astros are nearing a return to full health. The Astros could Isaac Paredes (hamstring) back from the injured list as soon as this weekend, which would only further block Cole's path to regular at-bats.

Rutschman (oblique) will start his rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Rutschman has been working through a mild right oblique strain since mid-August. He participated in batting practice over the weekend, and the 27-year-old catcher has progressed enough in his recovery to embark on a rehab assignment. Per Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun, Rutschman is expected to be with Norfolk for about a week before being activated from the 10-day IL.

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

Higashioka will get a break for the series opener in Houston after he caught eight innings and went 1-for-4 at the dish in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Mets. Jonah Heim will step in for Higashioka behind the dish Monday.

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

After going 7-for-25 (.280 average) with two doubles and three RBI while starting in each of the last seven games, Freeman will get a breather for the series opener in Houston. Dylan Moore will get the nod at second base at Freeman's expense.

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

Following a stretch of six consecutive starts during which he went 7-for-19 with two home runs, two doubles, one walk, nine RBI and three runs, Helman will open a second straight game on the bench while the Rangers match up with a right-handed starter (Jason Alexander). Despite not starting in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Mets in 10 innings, Helman still made an impact off the bench, going 1-for-2 with a run scored. Like he did in Sunday's game, Helman will be a candidate to pinch hit for starting left fielder Alejandro Osuna at some point in Monday's contest.