MLB Player News

Triple-A St. Paul reinstated Culpepper (hand) from the 7-day injured list Friday.

Culpepper has appeared in just two games for St. Paul since June 28 due to a glute strain and a hand injury. He's progressed enough in his recovery from the latter issue to return to action at Triple-A, where he's slashing .272/.376/.492 with 15 steals and 14 home runs across 295 plate appearances.

Glasnow (back) is scheduled to face live hitters Friday, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Glasnow was cleared to resume throwing off a mound roughly two weeks ago, and Friday will mark his first time facing a live hitter since he landed on the injured list in May with lower-back spasms. The 32-year-old's progress within the past month has been encouraging, but he'll almost certainly require an extended rehab assignment once he's cleared to begin playing in games.

Baez (ankle) will move his rehab assignment to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Baez made two appearances for Single-A Lakehead earlier this week and is ready to take the next step in his recovery from a right ankle sprain that landed him on the injured list in late April. He'll need multiple reps in center field and shortstop before being cleared to return from the 60-day IL.

Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Diaz (elbow) will not be activated during the Dodgers' weekend series against the Mets, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Roberts hinted earlier in the week that Diaz was more likely to return next week, and the team has now officially decided to keep its star closer on the shelf for a few extra days and get him one final rehab outing at Triple-A Oklahoma City. The 32-year-old began pitching in rehab games July 11 and has since given up one run on two hits and a walk while fanning nine batters across five innings.

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said that Suarez (groin/illness) is an option to return from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's series finale versus the Blue Jays at Fenway Park, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Suarez was initially lined up to start during Red Sox's series against the Orioles earlier in the week, but his activation was delayed after he succumbed to an illness. Tracy relayed that he wants to ensure that Suarez is back to full health before taking the mound, so the Red Sox will presumably check back in with the veteran southpaw on Saturday before deciding on his availability for the series finale. If Suarez can't go Sunday, Payton Tolle would be lined up to start.

Barger will undergo season-ending surgery to repair the UCL in his right elbow, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Whether Barger needs a full Tommy John repair or an internal brace procedure will not be known until the surgery is performed. If it's the former, he could get a late start to next season following a nine-month rehab. An internal brace operation carries a timetable of six months, which would give Barger a chance to be ready around the start of spring training. Barger will conclude the 2026 season having played only nine games due to injury, as he battled a stress reaction in his back in addition to the elbow injury.

Mangum (foot) is in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

Mangum was scratched from Wednesday's series finale against the Yankees due to right foot discomfort, but he is good to go for the series opener Friday against the Cubs. Mangum will lead off and play center field for Pittsburgh.

Crawford (wrist) is not in the lineup for Seattle's matchup against the Rangers on Friday.

After missing all three games of Seattle's previous series against the Reds and having Thursday's rest day, Crawford will sit out Friday's series opener. Weston Wilson will get the start at third base while Colt Emerson will take over at shortstop for the Mariners.

The Pirates placed Flores on the 7-day concussion injured list Friday.

It's unclear when Flores suffered the concussion, but he will be sidelined for at least the next week. With Endy Rodriguez (glute) starting a rehab assignment Friday, Flores is likely to be optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis once healthy.

Leiter (ankle) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session with more intensity Saturday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Leiter underwent surgery one month ago to remove a loose body from his right ankle region. He resumed mound work over the All-Star break and will try throwing with more effort this weekend. If that goes well, Leiter can get the go-ahead to continue a throwing progression. The Rangers have not revealed a timeline for the righty, but he is several weeks away from a return.