MLB Player News

Seager (back) is beginning a rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco on Tuesday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

The veteran shortstop progressed to "higher-volume" live batting practice the past few days, clearing the way for him to see his first game action in nearly a month due to back inflammation. Seager may not need much action in the minors before rejoining the Rangers, so he could be back from the injured list before the end of the week.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that Cruz (hand) has had "good days of late" and could be ready to start up a rehab assignment in early August, Dominic Campbell of SI.com reports.

Cruz has been on the shelf since sustaining a fractured left hand June 8 and will be eligible to return from the 60-day injured list Aug. 7. He would appear to have decent odds of being ready to rejoin the Pirates on or around that date, as he's been swinging a bat for a few weeks and seems to have moved past the lingering soreness in his hand that he had experienced early on during the recovery process. Cruz will continue to ramping up over the next few days before the Pirates potentially map out a rehab assignment for him.

Lagrange (shoulder) has resumed a throwing program, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Lagrange was shut down for four weeks after being diagnosed earlier this month with a capsular sprain in his right shoulder, but he was cleared to play catch Tuesday. The hard-throwing righty will continue with a slow build-up process before eventually returning to games. Lagrange had been viewed as a likely contributor in the bullpen for the Yankees in the second half before getting hurt. It could still happen, but it's unlikely to occur before September, if at all.

Severino (shoulder) began a throwing progression Saturday, per MLB.com.

Severino has been on the shelf since May 30 due to a right shoulder strain and was shifted to the 60-day injured list June 21. Beginning to throw is a positive step, though he likely has several more boxes to check before embarking on a rehab assignment and ultimately rejoining the big-league rotation. The veteran right-hander posted a 2-6 record with a 4.16 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 65:31 K:BB across 62.2 innings (12 starts) before this lengthy absence.

Sisk (elbow) began a throwing progression July 18, MLB.com reports.

The Pirates haven't provided word on when Sisk will be ready to begin a rehab assignment, but that could happen soon if he's experienced no setbacks while ramping up his throwing. Before hitting the shelf July 4 due to left elbow inflammation, Sisk turned in a 2.23 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 43:13 K:BB in 36.1 innings out of the Pittsburgh bullpen.

Gelof (knee) is continuing a running progression and participating in baseball activities, per MLB.com.

Gelof landed on the injured list July 10 due to a right knee laceration and has been progressing in his recovery since having his stitches removed. It remains to be seen whether the 26-year-old will require a rehab assignment, but he's on track to return to action in early August. Before hitting the shelf, Gelof slashed .273/.327/.476 with 11 home runs, 29 RBI, 41 runs and eight stolen bases across 67 contests.

The Nationals recalled Varland from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan reports.

Varland has collected six saves while posting a 6.25 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 30:15 K:BB over 31.2 innings during his time with the Nationals this season. He's absorbing the roster spot vacated by Andrew Alvarez, who was optioned following Monday's contest versus the Blue Jays.

Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said that Wheeler "felt physically fine" after covering just three innings during his start in Monday's 8-7 loss to the Marlins, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The NL Cy Young Award candidate struck out six but surrendered a season-high five runs on six hits and one walk in the start, which was his shortest outing in more than four years. Though Wheeler and Mattingly both indicated that no injury was behind the poor outing, the veteran right-hander's velocity on all six of his offerings was down at least one tick from his season-long averages, per Statcast. Wheeler wrote the performance off as "just one of those days," and despite not having his best stuff, he was still able to generate 13 whiffs on his 68 pitches. Assuming Wheeler reports no issues coming out of his next bullpen session, fantasy managers can include him in lineups with a fair amount of confidence heading into his next start, which is expected to come Sunday versus the Orioles at Camden Yards.

Abrams went 0-for-2 with two walks and two stolen bases in Monday's loss to the Blue Jays.

The star shortstop has swiped four bags in the last five games, leaving Abrams one steal away from becoming the second player this season to reach the 20-20 plateau after the Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong (23 HR, 26 SB). Trade rumors have been swirling around Abrams, but it hasn't been a distraction -- over 19 games in July, he's delivered a .387/.424/.813 slash line with nine homers, six stolen bases, 14 runs and 22 RBI.

Manager A.J. Hinch said that he expects Baez (ankle) to be reinstated from the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

The 33-year-old has been sidelined due to an ankle sprain since late April, but he's ready to rejoin the Tigers after a four-game rehab assignment, during which he went 6-for-12 with three doubles. Baez had a .256/.280/.397 slash line through 24 games prior to the injury. He made starts at center field and shortstop during the rehab stint, which provides an indication of where he'll be spending most of his time on the big-league club.