MLB Player News

Meckler is starting in left field and batting sixth for the Angels in Friday's game against the Rangers, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Official moves have yet to be announced, but Meckler's presence in the starting lineup -- along with Donovan Walton -- indicates that the Angels will make some moves to open up spots on the 26-man roster prior to Friday's game. Meckler has spent the majority of the 2026 season with Double-A Rocket City, where he is slashing .343/.449/.525 with six steals, four home runs and 12 RBI across 119 plate appearances. He last saw major-league action in 2023 with the Giants, when he went 13-for-56 (.232) with four RBI and six runs scored.

Lowe is not in the Angels' starting lineup against the Rangers on Friday, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Lowe will be on the bench for Friday's series opener while Wade Meckler, Mike Trout and Jo Adell start in the outfield from left to right. Lowe has gone 9-for-28 (.321) with one home run and four RBI over his last 11 games.

Manager Walt Weiss said Friday that Smith-Shawver (elbow) has been throwing bullpen sessions, and the next step in his rehab is to face live hitters, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reports.

There hasn't been much info on Smith-Shawver's progress from Tommy John surgery, but Weiss said the right-hander has been throwing high-intensity bullpens, and it sounds like he's close to facing hitters. Once Smith-Shawver gets in some live batting practice, he'll likely then head out on an extended rehab assignment before having a chance to rejoin Atlanta's rotation later this summer.

Fermin is not in the Padres' starting lineup against the Athletics on Friday.

Fermin will get a breather Friday while Rodolfo Duran starts behind home plate and bats ninth. Fermin has struggled at the plate this season, and since May 1 he's gone 5-for-40 (.125) with a 2:9 BB:K.

Merrill (ribs) is not in the Padres' starting lineup against the Athletics on Friday.

As expected, Merrill will not be in Friday's lineup after sustaining a rib injury while colliding with the outfield wall during Wednesday's game against the Dodgers. Ramon Laureano, Bryce Johnson and Nick Castellanos will man the outfield from left to right for San Diego in Merrill's absence.

Manager John Schneider said Garcia (elbow) threw a bullpen session Friday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Garcia hasn't pitched in the big leagues yet this season after undergoing a cleanup procedure on his elbow last September. He was sent out on a rehab assignment earlier this month but experienced a setback after just one outing. Garcia threw 30 pitches in Friday's bullpen and will look to avoid further issues, and he could make his return to Toronto's staff as soon as next week.

Lukes (hamstring) will travel to Toronto on Monday to determine whether he will be activated off the 10-day injured list, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Lukes will be in the lineup for Single-A Dunedin over the weekend, and if he's progressed enough in his recovery from a left hamstring strain, then he could be reinstated from the IL for the start of Monday's home series against the Marlins. Yohendrick Pinango or Davis Schneider could be optioned to Triple-A Buffalo to make room on the Blue Jays' 26-man roster once Lukes is cleared to return.

Naylor is not in the Mariners' starting lineup against the Royals on Friday.

The Royals are sending southpaw Noah Cameron to the mound Friday, so the lefty-hitting Naylor will be on the bench while Patrick Wisdom starts at first base and bats fifth. Naylor is slashing .212/.263/.231 with six RBI in 57 plate appearances against left-handers this season.

Smith has been diagnosed with right shoulder soreness and received a cortisone injection Friday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

It's unclear if Smith will require a trip to the injured list, but Brenan Hanifee will be the next man up if Smith heads to the IL. Smith allowed one run on two hits and one walk with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning Thursday against the Guardians and figures to be unavailable for Friday's series opener against the Orioles.

Merrill (ribs) is expected to return to the Padres' lineup within the next few days, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Merrill's ribs remain sore after he banged into the outfield wall Wednesday against the Dodgers while trying to rob a home run. He has managed to avoid a serious injury, and while it sounds like Merrill will not play Friday versus the Athletics, he could be back in action sometime over the weekend.