MLB Player News

Manager Joe Espada said Friday that Pena (hamstring) will "hopefully" run the bases this weekend, which would be the final step in his rehab program before starting a rehab assignment, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The shortstop has been on the shelf nearly four weeks due to a strained hamstring, but he's close to being cleared for game action. Pena shouldn't require a lengthy rehab assignment before rejoining Houston's active roster, so a return in mid-May remains on the table.

Garcia (wrist) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Marlins, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

It's a fourth straight absence for Garcia due to a minor right wrist/hand sprain. A trip to the injured list hasn't been viewed as necessary to this point, but that may change soon if the 25-year-old misses more time. Curtis Mead is picking up another start at first base for the Nationals.

The Tigers optioned Jung to Triple-A Toledo on Friday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Jung was recalled from Triple-A on Wednesday but will head back to the minors after going 0-for-2 during his lone appearance against the Red Sox. Zack Short re-signed with Detroit on an MLB contract Friday and will take Jung's place on the active roster.

Short signed a major-league contract with the Tigers on Friday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Short elected free agency after being outrighted to Triple-A on Thursday, but he'll now return to the Tigers and reclaim a spot on the active roster. The 30-year-old has gone 0-for-3 with a strikeout while appearing in just two games with Detroit this season, and he'll presumably continue to serve as bench depth while in the majors. Jace Jung was optioned to Toledo in a corresponding move.

Jones is batting sixth as the designated hitter in his major-league debut Friday against the Brewers.

The 24-year-old was called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre earlier Friday and is expected to see opportunities against right-handed pitching due to Giancarlo Stanton (calf) and Jasson Dominguez (shoulder) being on the shelf. Jones has continued to showcase his power and speed at Triple-A early this year with 11 homers and seven steals in 33 games, but his 32.4 percent strikeout rate remains a red flag in his profile.

Gray (forearm) will play catch Friday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Gray was removed from Thursday's game versus the Yankees after being struck in the forearm by a comebacker. His exit was deemed precautionary, however, and it's not expected to be an issue moving forward. Gray has yielded just one run but has a 6:6 K:BB over seven frames with Texas.

Rice (hand) will start at first base and bat second in Friday's game versus the Brewers.

Rice missed each of the last four contests while recovering from a left hand contusion, but he's ready to go Friday as the Yankees begin a road trip. The 27-year-old leads all of baseball with a 1.214 OPS this season.

Teel (hamstring) will run the bases this weekend before beginning a rehab assignment next week if all goes well, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Teel's recovery from a right hamstring strain has come along slowly, but he's poised for a big step forward this weekend. Given how much time the young catcher has missed, Teel figures to require at least a handful of rehab contests before rejoining the active roster for the White Sox. When he does make it back, he'll be in line for the lion's share of the playing time behind the dish.

Bieber (elbow) will face live hitters Tuesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It will be the first time he's faced hitters since the World Series last year, as Bieber has been working his way back from right elbow inflammation that's nagged at him since last fall. Bieber will likely face hitters multiple times before being cleared to embark upon a rehab assignment. He still has lots of boxes to check, but Bieber could be ready to rejoin the Blue Jays' rotation in June if he continues progressing.

Lukes (hamstring) has begun a running progression, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It's a big step as he works his way back from a left hamstring strain. Lukes has missed the last two weeks of action and might require a short rehab assignment before returning.