MLB Player News

Merryweather (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with the Twins' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Tuesday, Theodore Tollefson of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Merryweather has been shelved since spring training with a left hamstring strain, but he's finally ready for game action. The veteran reliever is signed to a minor-league contract with the Twins and will eventually move up to Triple-A St. Paul.

Povich is slated to start Thursday's game against the Marlins in Miami, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

With Trevor Rogers (illness) hitting the injured list, the Orioles summoned Povich from Triple-A Norfolk last Friday to fill the opening in the rotation. Povich stumbled in a tough matchup with the Yankees on the road, striking out four batters over four innings but yielding five earned runs on seven hits and two walks en route to taking a loss. The lefty will get a more favorable draw for his upcoming turn through the rotation, but given that he maintains a 5.14 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 208.1 career innings in the majors, he won't be a comfortable lineup option for fantasy managers looking to protect their ratios.

Scott is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Rockies at Coors Field.

The 26-year-old righty was sent back to the minors after walking five batters and recording just four outs in a spot start April 23 versus the Twins, but Scott was called up just a few days later after the Mets needed a replacement in the rotation for the injured Kodai Senga (back). Scott fared much better in his start Friday against the Angels, striking out eight batters while yielding three runs (two earned) on three hits and no walks over five innings. With Senga facing an uncertain timeline for his return from the injured list, Scott could be in line for an extended stay in the big-league rotation, provided he's able to avoid the control problems that plagued him in his 2026 MLB debut.

Manager A.J. Hinch said that McKinstry (hip) will be reinstated from the 10-day injured list and be in the lineup Tuesday against the Red Sox, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

The 31-year-old has been sidelined nearly three weeks due to left hip inflammation but is ready to rejoin the Tigers after a three-game rehab assignment. McKinstry has yet to get his bat going this season with a .209/.261/.326 slash line in 46 plate appearances.

Smith went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a run and an RBI in an 8-3 win against Houston on Monday.

Smith got a rest day Sunday and responded to his return to the lineup with his third three-hit performance of the season. The All-Star backstop's knocks included a pair of doubles, which were his first extra-base hits since April 24. Smith's power has been somewhat lacking this season -- he has a modest three home runs and three doubles through 30 games -- but he's slashing a nice .280/.348/.400 with 12 runs, 16 RBI and an 11:19 BB:K.

Rodriguez is slated to start Tuesday's game against the Rangers at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees will have the 22-year-old right-hander make another turn through the rotation after he took a loss to the Rangers in his MLB debut last Wednesday, when he recorded three strikeouts while allowing two runs on four hits and four walks over four innings. While he remains one of the more promising young arms in the Yankees' system, Rodriguez may not be in line for any additional starts even if he delivers a gem in his rematch with Texas. Carlos Rodon (elbow) is making what could be his final minor-league rehab start Tuesday and may return from the 15-day injured list to take over Rodriguez's spot in the rotation when it comes up again Sunday in Milwaukee.

Pena met with a neurologist Monday after not having played since collapsing in the dugout April 22 during his last game for High-A Wisconsin, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Pena was transported to a hospital after the incident and showed improvement after receiving IV fluids. All of Pena's subsequent tests have returned normal, but the Brewers will take feedback from the neurologist into account before deciding the young infielder's next steps. Even though he's been out of action for nearly two weeks, Wisconsin has yet to place Pena on its 7-day injured list.

Vientos went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Monday's win over the Rockies.

While he didn't have much to show for it, Vientos was scorching the ball all afternoon, and two of his outs left his bat with exit velocities over 100 mph. The 26-year-old is slashing .273/.333/.523 over his last 13 games with two doubles, three homers, five runs and nine RBI as he turns things around after a slow start to the campaign.

Kikuchi (shoulder) could be sidelined for "several months, if not the whole season," Mike DiGiovanna of the "Halo Territory" podcast reports.

Kikuchi was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with left shoulder inflammation, but his MRI is still being evaluated, and DiGiovanna is hearing the southpaw may be tending to a long-term injury. The Angels should offer more clarity on Kikuchi's timetable later this week. Sam Aldegheri was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake and will start Tuesday against the White Sox in Kikuchi's place.

Mack went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Monday's loss to the Phillies.

Making his big-league debut and batting seventh, Mack was fanned by Aaron Nola in the fifth inning, between a groundout and a pop-up in foul territory. On the bright side, the rookie catcher guided Janson Junk to a strong outing in a 1-0 loss, and it's his defensive work rather than his bat that the Marlins are counting on to be an upgrade over Agustin Ramirez. While he'll split time behind the plate with Liam Hicks, Mack will get a long runway to establish himself at the top level after slashing .251/.336/.447 over 122 career games in Triple-A with 21 homers.