MLB Player News

Merrill is not in the Padres' starting lineup against the White Sox on Friday.

Merrill has struggled at the plate as of late, having gone 4-for-42 (.095) with one steal, two RBI and a 37.5 percent strikeout rate over his last 11 games. He'll take a seat for Friday's series opener while Bryce Johnson gets the start in center field and bats ninth.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Friday that Martin (biceps) "took the next step" in his recovery and will throw a bullpen soon, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Martin landed on the 15-day injured list April 15 due to a right biceps injury. He appears to be ready to take the next step in his recovery program, though he'll likely need a few rehab outings in the minors before being cleared to return to the Rangers. In his eight outings prior to his injury, Martin allowed six runs (five earned) on 11 hits while striking out seven batters across 6.1 innings.

Harris (quad) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies, Lindsay Crosby of BravesToday.com reports.

The 25-year-old outfielder is sitting for a second straight game Friday after also missing one contest last week due quadriceps tightness. A trip to the injured list could be in store for Harris if the injury doesn't show improvement soon. Mauricio Dubon is picking up a start in center field Friday, opening up shortstop for Jorge Mateo.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Rodon's (elbow) next rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre could be his last, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Rodon has looked sharp in his first two rehab outings, allowing just one run with a 12:1 K:BB over 9.2 innings. The left-hander got his pitch count built up to 75 his last time out and will get stretched out a bit more Tuesday. If all goes well, Rodon will make his season debut as soon as May 10 on the road in Milwaukee. Rodon is coming back from offseason surgery to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur in his left elbow.

The Mets optioned Wagaman to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday.

The 28-year-old was called up from Syracuse on Thursday and will return there a day later with Andy Ibanez joining the active roster. Wagaman didn't see the field during his day in the majors and is now back at Triple-A, where he has a .538 OPS in 74 plate appearances this year.

Stanton (calf) has not been cleared to resume running, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Stanton hopes to resume hitting this weekend, but there's no word on when he will be cleared to run, and a timeline for his return to the active roster won't come into focus until that happens. The designated hitter suffered a low-grade right calf strain one week ago.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Friday that Vest is "not at 100 percent" physically, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Hinch declined to divulge any additional details, but Vest hasn't pitched since Sunday, and it's unclear if he's available out of the bullpen for Friday's game against the Rangers. Vest has made 13 appearances for Detroit in 2026, collecting a 6.17 ERA and 13:6 K:BB over 11.2 innings.

The Tigers announced Friday that Verlander (hip) isn't yet asymptomatic and remains without an official timeline to begin a rehab assignment, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Verlander will throw another bullpen session soon and seems to be trending in the right direction as he works his way back from left hip inflammation. However, the 43-year-old is still feeling some soreness, and until that goes away, he won't be cleared to pitch in games. Verlander missed all of April with the injury.

Crochet underwent an MRI on his left shoulder that came back clean Friday, and he'll be shut down from throwing for a few days while he focuses on rebuilding strength, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

The left-hander landed on the injured Wednesday with left shoulder inflammation, and the MRI indicates that is indeed the full extent of the injury. After being placed on the shelf, Crochet indicated Wednesday he should be able to be activated after the 15-day minimum. A quick return like that should remain plausible as long as he's not shut down from throwing for more than a few days.

Melton (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Lakeland this weekend, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Melton has finally been cleared to pitch in games after going down with a right elbow strain back in February. The righty didn't pitch in spring training and is already on the 60-day injured list, so it will be a gradual buildup. The role Melton ultimately fills with the Tigers will depend on how he looks and feels on his rehab assignment and also what the team's need is once the hurler is deemed physically ready.