MLB Player News

Estevez (foot) was removed from his rehab appearance at Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday due to shoulder discomfort, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Estevez's velocity was down during his appearance Wednesday, and he managed to record just two outs before leaving the game alongside a trainer. The right-hander has been on the injured list since the beginning of April due to a left foot injury and was trending toward returning to Kansas City's bullpen around mid-May. However, his latest setback could extend his time on the IL and Lucas Erceg's run as the Royals' primary closer.

The Astros optioned Alexander to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.

Alexander was recalled from Triple-A on Tuesday, but he'll head back down after giving up five earned runs over 4.1 innings during Wednesday's loss to the Dodgers. The 33-year-old righty owns a 4.97 ERA and 1.52 WHIP through 29 innings (six starts) in the minors this season and could be called upon to make more appearances in the majors this year, especially considering the number of injuries that have already hit Houston's pitching staff.

The Cubs selected Thornton's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

The move corresponds with Charlie Barnes being designated for assignment and the Cubs placing Matthew Boyd (knee) on the 15-day injured list. Thornton was activated from Iowa's 7-day injured list in late April after fully recovering from surgery in August to repair a torn left Achilles tendon. The 32-year-old right-hander has appeared in four Triple-A games, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five across 5.2 innings.

Alexander is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

Following a stretch of six consecutive starts at four different positions, Alexander will head to the bench. Despite going 7-for-19 at the dish to begin May, Alexander is still slashing just .222/.276/.247 on the season. Alexander's defensive versatility could allow him to continue seeing semi-regular playing time, but he's not doing much yet to warrant fantasy attention outside of AL-only leagues.

The Cubs placed Boyd (knee) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, retroactive to Monday.

The move comes after Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced that Boyd will undergo surgery to repair a meniscus injury in his left knee. The veteran southpaw's recovery timeline will come into better focus once he undergoes the procedure, and there remains a possibility that he will be available to pitch again this season, though that may not happen until after the All-Star break. Jordan Wicks (elbow) is on a rehab assignment and is inching closer to being activated from the 15-day IL, but the Cubs may have to turn to an arm from Triple-A or a bullpen option like Ben Brown or Javier Assad to fill in for Boyd in the short term.

Valdez's six-game suspension was reduced to five games Wednesday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Valdez initially received a six-game suspension for intentionally throwing at Trevor Story during Detroit's 10-3 loss to the Red Sox on Tuesday. Major League Baseball has now shaved a game off Valdez's suspension, which he will begin serving Wednesday. He will be eligible to make his next start May 13 against the Mets in Queens.

Perez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.

Perez will ride the pine for the final game of the Tigers' homestand after he started in each of the previous five contests and went 4-for-18 with a walk, three stolen bases, three RBI and a run. With Perez taking a seat, Detroit will make room in the starting nine at designated hitter for the newly recalled Jace Jung, while Riley Greene, Matt Vierling and Kerry Carpenter fill out the outfield from left to right.

Bennett is slated to start Thursday's game against the Rays at Fenway Park, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

The Red Sox welcomed Sonny Gray (hamstring) back from the injured list Wednesday, but Bennett will wind up sticking around in the big-league rotation for another turn while the status of Ranger Suarez (hamstring) remains in flux. Boston is still leaving the door open for Suarez to start either of the final two games of the series versus the Rays, and if that comes to pass, Bennett could be headed back to Triple-A Worcester following Thursday's outing. The 25-year-old lefty turned in a strong performance in his MLB debut last Friday, striking out three while limiting the Astros to one run on five hits and two walks over five innings en route to picking up a win.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters Wednesday that Boyd will undergo surgery to repair a meniscus injury in his left knee, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Boyd sustained the injury while at home rather than during his last start against the Diamondbacks on Sunday, per Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. A timeline for Boyd's recovery won't be known until after he undergoes surgery, but he'll likely be out until after the All-Star break and may not be ready to return until the 2027 season. With Boyd slated to go on the IL, the Cubs may move Ben Brown or Javier Assad from the bullpen to the rotation or call up an arm from Triple-A Iowa like Charlie Barnes, at least until Jordan Wicks (elbow) is cleared to return from the 15-day IL.

Seymour struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his first save of the season in a 3-0 win over the Blue Jays.

Bryan Baker got the call in the eighth inning to face the 9-1-2 hitters, including Toronto's hottest bat in Kazuma Okamoto, but that still left the heart of the order for Seymour in the ninth. The southpaw didn't blink, firing nine of 11 pitches for strikes to collect his first career save and striking out Vladimir Guerrero along the way. Seymour has eight holds and a win in his 16 appearances in addition to Wednesday's save, but his 5.09 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB over 17.2 innings don't immediately mark him as a reliable high-leverage option.