MLB Player News

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.

Bieber (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at the rookie-level Florida Complex League on Monday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The veteran right-hander is aiming to pitch two innings Monday. Bieber will then build up to three innings in his next outing, according to Zwelling. The Blue Jays will build him up slowly, but Bieber is on track to make his 2026 debut some time in June.

Interim manager Chad Tracy said Friday that Crochet (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session this weekend and live batting practice early next week, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Crochet has been sidelined since April 25 due to left shoulder inflammation, but he continues to check boxes in his rehab process and appears to be nearing a return to Boston's rotation. It's unclear if Crochet will go out on a rehab assignment or if the Red Sox will simply use live BP and simulated games to get his arm built back up for starts. It's been a rough start to the 2026 campaign for Crochet, who owns a 6.30 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 37:11 K:BB across his first 30 innings.

Interim manager Chad Tracy said Friday that Mayer will start at shortstop Sunday against the Twins and will see extended playing time at the position while Trevor Story (abdomen) recovers from sports hernia surgery, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Story is expected to be sidelined 6-to-10 weeks following surgery Thursday, and the Red Sox have been using multiple players at shortstop this week. Nick Sogard is starting there Friday, and Andruw Monasterio and Isiah Kiner-Falefa have both seen action at the position. With Mayer kicking over from second base, those same players will likely fight for playing time at second. Mayer hasn't played shortstop at the major-league level since his first two career games last May.

Mitchell (back) is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Mitchell exited the Brewers' last game Wednesday versus the Cubs due to back tightness. With southpaw Justin Wrobleski toeing the rubber for the Dodgers, the left-handed-hitting Mitchell probably wasn't going to start Friday regardless, but it's unclear whether he'll be available off the bench. Jake Bauers, Jackson Chourio and Sal Frelick will form Milwaukee's outfield trio in Friday's series opener.

Crawford (triceps) is hitting leadoff and playing shortstop Friday against the Royals.

Crawford was scratched from the lineup Wednesday against the White Sox with a sore triceps, but he's back in there following Thursday's off day. With Crawford at shortstop, rookie Colt Emerson is playing third base and hitting ninth. Crawford is hitting just .210 this season but has a .358 on-base percentage.

Diaz (hand) is back in the lineup at designated hitter and hitting fourth Friday against the Yankees, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Diaz was hit on the hand by a pitch Tuesday against the Orioles and was out of the lineup Wednesday ahead of Thursday's off day. He's now good to go against Gerrit Cole on Friday. Diaz has a current six-game hitting streak. He's gone 11-for-24 (.458) with three doubles, three homers, 10 RBI, seven runs scored and three walks during that span.

Snelling underwent internal brace surgery Friday to repair a torn UCL in his left elbow.

The Marlins had indicated previously that Snelling would require Tommy John surgery, so it's a pleasant surprise that he needed an internal brace procedure instead, which typically carries a slightly shorter recovery timeline. The operation Snelling had comes with a timetable of 10-to-12 months, so he has a good chance to be a contributor for Miami at some point next season.

Grisham (knee) is batting leadoff and starting in center field Friday against the Rays, Randy Miller of NJ.com reports.

Grisham was forced from Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays in the second inning and didn't play Thursday. All of his scans came back clean, and Grisham has been cleared to return to the lineup Friday. The 29-year-old is having a difficult time at the plate in 2026, slashing just .174/.305/.348 with six homers, 27 RBI, 27 runs scored, three stolen bases and a 30:35 BB:K across 187 trips to the dish.

Pena (illness) will begin a rehab assignment with the Brewers' Arizona Complex League affiliate Friday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Pena hasn't played since April 22, when he collapsed in the dugout at High-A Wisconsin after becoming overheated. It shouldn't be long before Pena rejoins the active roster at Wisconsin, where he's slashed .372/.462/.512 in 12 games this season.