MLB Player News

Lukes (hamstring) resumed hitting in the batting cages Friday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The team estimates that Lukes is still about a week away from starting up a running progression, but a return to hitting marks a significant milestone in his recovery from a left hamstring strain. It remains unknown when he'll be cleared to return from the injured list, though a timeline could emerge once he begins running.

Palencia (lat) returned to the Cubs from his rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday and is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list in the coming days, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Palencia landed on the 15-day injured list in mid-April due to a left lat strain. He made his lone rehab outing Friday in Triple-A, striking out one batter while allowing one hit and zero walks in two-thirds of an inning. Palencia has not yielded a run across five major-league innings this season and will resume closing duties for the Cubs once activated from the IL.

Taveras isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees.

Taveras is batting just .176 with a .599 OPS against southpaws this season, so the Orioles will keep him on the bench Saturday with Ryan Weathers on the mound for the Yankees. Blaze Alexander will pick up a start in center field and bat ninth.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said that Gibson will be called up from Triple-A Norfolk to start Sunday's game against the Yankees in New York, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

The 23-year-old ranks as one of the top pitching prospects in Baltimore's system and has posted a 4.01 ERA and 1.65 WHIP through 24.2 innings (six starts) with Triple-A Norfolk this season. The Orioles don't have an opening in their rotation past Sunday and could get Trevor Rogers (illness) back from the injured list in mid-May, so Gibson will likely return to Triple-A after making his MLB debut.

The Marlins optioned Gibson to Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday.

The move corresponds with the Marlins selecting Josh Ekness's contract from Jacksonville. Gibson was recalled by the Marlins on Tuesday but was roughed up in his lone outing with the big club Friday against the Phillies, allowing four runs on five hits (including a home run) and one walk while striking out one batter across 1.2 innings. Gibson will head back to Triple-A, where he sports a respectable 2.63 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB across 13.2 innings.

Hoerner (neck) is not in the Cubs' starting lineup against the Diamondbacks on Saturday.

Hoerner left Friday's game against Arizona due to neck tightness, and the injury will keep the veteran second baseman on the bench for Saturday's matinee. Matt Shaw will start at the keystone and bat eighth against right-hander Ryne Nelson.

Narvaez isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Astros.

Narvaez will get a chance to rest Saturday after going 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in Friday's win. Connor Wong will take over behind the plate and bat eighth.

Heineman isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Minnesota.

After starting the season with a .188 batting average and .423 OPS through 20 games, Heineman will take a seat on the bench for the third time in Toronto's last four games while Brandon Valenzuela starts at catcher.

Arraez went 1-for-4 with a double in Friday's 3-0 loss to the Rays.

Arraez accounted for the Giants' lone extra-base hit with a double in the fourth inning, though he was thrown out attempting to stretch it into a triple. The 29-year-old infielder has recorded at least one hit in eight of the last 10 games, batting .300 with five RBI, three doubles, two stolen bases and a run scored in 42 plate appearances during that span. He's slashing .303/.331/.369 with 11 RBI, 11 runs scored and four stolen bases across 132 plate appearances on the campaign.

Bernardino will serve as the Rockies' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against Atlanta.

The Rockies have typically used an opener in front of right-hander Chase Dollander this season, and the team will call upon Bernardino to handle those duties Saturday. The 34-year-old southpaw has been one of the most effective members of Colorado's entire pitching staff this season, turning in a 0.71 ERA and 1.03 WHIP through 12.2 innings. He'll likely work just an inning or two before giving way to Dollander.