MLB Player News

Warren didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Tigers, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.

Warren handled a bit of reduced workload Wednesday, tossing his second-fewest pitches (79) of the year, with the sweltering heat at Yankee Stadium potentially factoring into the quick hook. It was still an encouraging bounce-back display by the right-hander, who coughed up five runs and recorded no strikeouts his last time out in Boston. Warren will carry a quality 3.73 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 91:29 K:BB over 89.1 innings into his next scheduled outing at pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay.

The Yankees optioned Cruz to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday.

Cruz struck out three batters over two scoreless innings Tuesday, giving him six punchouts through 4.1 shutout frames to begin his MLB career. He'll lose his place in New York's bullpen in preparation for David Bednar's return from the paternity list, but Cruz's strong showings with the big club will likely buy him more opportunities in the Bronx later this summer.

Yelich is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Cincinnati.

As left-hander Andrew Abbott takes the mound for the Reds, Milwaukee will give Yelich his second rest of the series. William Contreras will take over as the designated hitter and bat third in the third game of a four-game set.

The Dodgers recalled Barnes from Triple-A Oklahoma City ahead of Wednesday's matchup against the Athletics.

In the series finale against the Athletics on Wednesday, Barnes is expected to be a part of a bullpen game for the Dodgers. The 30-year-old will make his first major-league appearance since May 16, when he pitched a scoreless frame and picked up a strikeout against the crosstown Angels. To make room for Barnes on the roster, the Dodgers optioned Wyatt Mills to Oklahoma City.

Astros manager Joe Espada said that Javier (shoulder) will be activated from the 60-day injured list Friday and work out of the bullpen, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Before landing on the IL on April 10 due to a Grade 2 shoulder strain, Javier struggled over his three starts with Houston, coughing up 13 earned runs while striking out four batters and walking nine in 9.1 innings. Javier had been building up a starter during his rehab assignment and most recently tossed six shutout innings for Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, but the Astros won't open up a spot for him in their crowded rotation. Espada noted that Javier's move to the bullpen isn't necessarily permanent, though it may take an injury to or poor performance by another starter before the 29-year-old righty receives another look in the rotation.

The Rockies recalled Hughes from Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Hughes is receiving his first promotion to the major leagues. The 24-year-old has posted a 5.31 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 48:11 K:BB in 40.2 innings with Albuquerque this year. The right-hander is expected to initially work out of the bullpen despite starting in seven of his nine appearances in Triple-A. The Rockies designated John Brebbia for assignment to make room on the roster for Hughes.

Bleday is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

The left-handed-hitting Bleday was included in the lineup against a lefty starter (Robert Gasser) in the series opener, but he'll head to the bench Wednesday while Milwaukee sends another southpaw (Shane Drohan) to the bump. Ivan Johnson will replace Bleday in left field in what will be his first MLB start.

Holmes could remain in Atlanta's bullpen moving forward, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Holmes made 15 starts for Atlanta before tossing four scoreless relief innings during his last appearance against the Giants on Saturday. While Holmes could make another start Thursday versus the Cardinals if Hurston Waldrep is needed in relief Wednesday, the club's preference is to keep Holmes in the bullpen. The right-hander has collected a 3.96 ERA and 69:37 K:BB over 77.1 frames this season.

Waldrep could start Thursday's game against the Cardinals if he isn't needed out of the bullpen Wednesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Reynaldo Lopez is starting Wednesday's game, and if he's able to go at least 4-to-5 innings, Atlanta will likely go with Waldrep as its starter for Thursday's series finale. If the right-hander has to pitch in relief Wednesday, however, Grant Holmes could draw Thursday's start. Waldrep had surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow back in February, but he threw 55 pitches over two scoreless relief innings during his season debut for Atlanta last week. His highest pitch count over five minor-league starts was 71, so the righty isn't fully stretched out yet.

The Athletics announced Wednesday that Lasko underwent spinal decompression and stabilization surgery resulting from a C6-C7 vertebra fracture, which he sustained in a collision in the outfield with a teammate during a game Tuesday with Double-A Midland, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Lasko needed to be stretchered off the field after the frightening collision, which delayed the game for several minutes. The 24-year-old outfielder is in stable condition following surgery but is without a timeline to return to game action. Lasko has produced a .210/.275/.362 slash line with six home runs and five stolen bases in 74 games with Midland this season.