MLB Player News

Friedl is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

Friedl will hit the bench for the second day in a row, this time sitting against a righty (Aaron Nola) after being held out of the lineup against lefty Jesus Luzardo on Tuesday. Blake Dunn will pick up a start in center field in place of Friedl, who has gone 2-for-28 with a 2:11 BB:K over his last nine games to bring his season-long batting line down to .178/.258/.260.

Lee is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros.

Lee will receive a routine day off after starting in each of the previous 19 contests. Ryan Kreidler will get a turn at shortstop for the Twins in Wednesday's rubber match.

The Twins released Bowman on Wednesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Bowman exercised an opt-out clause in his minor-league contract after posting a 1.69 ERA and 25:6 K:BB in 21.1 innings at Triple-A St. Paul. The 34-year-old sinkerballer should latch on with a new organization in short order.

Melton (elbow) struck out six and allowed one earned run on two hits and no walks over five innings Tuesday in his rehab start with Single-A Lakeland.

Melton remained in dominant form as he continues to work his way back from the right elbow strain that has kept him on the shelf all season. While building up to 63 pitches in Tuesday's outing, Melton generated 12 whiffs on 37 strikes and sported a fastball that sat around 96.5 miles per hour. He's now posted a 1.54 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 16:2 K:BB in 11.2 innings across four rehab starts, three of which have come with Lakeland. The right-hander will be eligible to return from the 60-day injured list Sunday, but the Tigers may want to see him extend his pitch count to the 70-to-80 range over one more start in the minors before reinstating him. Melton looks like a good bet to claim a spot in the Detroit rotation upon activation.

Schwarber (illness) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Unless the Phillies turn to him off the bench for a pinch-hitting appearance Wednesday, Schwarber will wind up missing the entire three-game series against Cincinnati after coming down with a stomach ailment Monday. With a team off day on tap Thursday, Schwarber should have a good chance at returning to the lineup in the Phillies' series opener versus the Guardians on Friday. Before falling ill, Schwarber had been in the midst of an impressive power binge, slugging nine home runs over his last 10 starts.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

Stephenson will get a breather for Wednesday's matinee game after he started behind the plate in each of the Reds' previous three contests. P.J. Higgins will get the nod at catcher in the series finale, forming a battery with starting pitcher Andrew Abbott.

Baez (ankle) has been conducting his rehab at the Tigers' spring training facility in Florida and is taking part in full baseball activities, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The Tigers haven't issued a definitive target date for Baez's return from the 10-day injured list, but he could soon be ready to head out on a rehab assignment or take part in simulated games as part of his ramp-up process. Before hitting the shelf April 29 due to a right ankle sprain, Baez had been splitting time between shortstop and center field this season and slashed .256/.280/.397 over 82 plate appearances. While Baez's offensive production wasn't anything special, the Tigers still have multiple weak spots in their lineup, so the 33-year-old may have a path to a near-everyday role once he returns.

Diaz (hand) is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Orioles.

Diaz departed Tuesday's game after being hit on both hands by a pitch. An X-ray and CT scan came back negative, per Ryan Bass of Rays.tv, but it's no surprise that Diaz is on the bench for Wednesday's afternoon game, particularly with a team off day looming Thursday. Jonathan Aranda will occupy the designated-hitter spot and Ryan Vilade will start at first base in the series finale.

Sanmartin (hip) tossed a scoreless inning in Triple-A Sacramento's 11-6 win over Sugar Land on Tuesday.

Sanmartin threw eight of his 13 pitches for strikes and induced three straight outs after entering in the fifth inning. The 30-year-old recently began his rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League but quickly advanced to Triple-A. The left-hander was placed on the 60-day injured list March 25 due to a right hip flexor strain, and he had been competing for a bullpen spot in San Francisco, so he isn't guaranteed to join the big-league roster once healthy.

Madden (forearm) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Though the Tigers deactivated Madden on Sunday due to a forearm injury, he's merely dealing with a bruise rather than a muscle strain or ligament damage and should be in line for a relatively short stint on the 15-day injured list. Assuming he makes it through Wednesday's throwing session no worse for the wear, Madden could be cleared to resume facing hitters this weekend or early next week.