MLB Player News

Yankees manager Aaron Boone clarified that Bellinger (hamstring) will start his minor-league rehab assignment Thursday or Friday, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Boone had previously said that Bellinger was on track to kick off a rehab assignment Tuesday, but the skipper issued a correction following Sunday's 4-3 win over the Blue Jays, noting that the outfielder will instead report to a minor-league affiliate later in the week. Bellinger will go through another couple days of pregame work before returning to game action Thursday or Friday. Bellinger, who has been shelved since July 26 while working his way back from a left hamstring strain, will likely need at least a couple of rehab games to get his timing back at the plate before he makes his return from the injured list.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Garcia (hand) will go through a workout Sunday and could be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Monday's series opener versus the Athletics if he responds well, Jack Janes of MLB.com reports.

Quatraro left the door open for the Royals to get two key pieces in the lineup back Monday, as Vinnie Pasquantino (wrist) also worked out in Kansas City on Sunday in preparation for a return from the IL. Garcia, who has been on the shelf since June 23 due to left hand muscle strain, resumed a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday and went 3-for-16 with a double and a walk while playing on four consecutive days. He played full nine-inning games at third base in two of those contests and should be ready to unseat Nick Loftin as the primary option at that position once he comes off the IL.

Vazquez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners.

Though he'll hit the bench for the series finale, Vazquez may have temporarily pushed his way into a timeshare at catcher with the slumping Yainer Diaz. Since closing July with a pair of four-hit games, Diaz has produced a lowly .179/.233/.179 slash line through 12 contests in August. Vazquez drew starts over Diaz in each of the previous three games, going 2-for-6 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional run scored.

Trammell is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners.

Trammell will retreat to the bench Sunday after he started in each of the last three games while going 1-for-11 with a 1:7 BB:K and a run scored during that span. Yordan Alvarez will take Trammell's spot in left field.

Arenado (trunk) said after Sunday's 5-3 loss to Atlanta that he will undergo an MRI on Monday, Jody Jackson of DBacks.tv reports.

Arenado went 0-for-2 before exiting in the fourth inning with an injury that the Diamondbacks termed as left trunk discomfort. The 35-year-old is concerned that he might be dealing with an injury to an intercostal muscle, but the MRI should provide some clarity on that front. Idlemaro Vargas and Tim Tawa would be the top candidates to fill in at third base if Arenado's injury ends up costing him some time.

Jung (calf) did some running on the field Sunday and could be cleared to begin a defensive progression within the next few days, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Jung had already been hitting and throwing, but taking part in mobility work represents an even more meaningful step in the right direction as he works his way back from a left calf strain. If Jung's calf responds well to Sunday's workout, he'll likely start fielding grounders and incorporating more change-of-direction running into his rehab program. The 28-year-old could then head out on a rehab assignment soon thereafter and potentially make his return to the Texas lineup before the end of the month.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said that deGrom (triceps) responded "really well" to playing catch Sunday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

DeGrom is working through right triceps fatigue, which forced him out of his most recent start in Thursday's 7-0 loss to the Angels after just two innings. With an MRI earlier in the week revealing no major red flags, deGrom looks like he could avoid a stint on the injured list, but the Rangers have yet to lock him in for his next start. The fact that he played catch without issue is a promising sign, but deGrom may need to make it through a bullpen session Monday before the Rangers confirm him for his next turn through the rotation, which comes up Wednesday against the Nationals.

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners.

LaMonte Wade will step in as the Astros' right fielder after Smith occupied the position in each of the previous five games. Smith turned in multi-hit efforts in four of his first seven starts of August, but he's cooled down over his last four contests, going 2-for-15 with no walks and three strikeouts.

Feduccia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

Feduccia will head to the bench for the series finale after he started behind the plate in both of the previous two contests. Ben Rortvedt will check in at catcher Sunday and form a battery with starting pitcher Tarik Skubal.

Swanson was removed from Sunday's game against the Cardinals due to left side discomfort reports.

Swanson left the game without making an official plate appearance, as he was lifted during his first trip to the dish of the afternoon in the bottom of the third inning after he was in pain following a swing. The Cubs will likely send Swanson in for further testing and potentially an MRI before determining his availability for the start of their three-game series with the White Sox on Monday. If Swanson needs to miss time, Nico Hoerner would likely slide over from second base and take over as the Cubs' primary shortstop.