MLB Player News

Mateo (concussion) took grounders Friday and could participate in batting practice, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Mateo was able to play catch Thursday and took another step forward in his rehab from the concussion he sustained June 2. The infielder appears to be on track to return next week.

Valdez is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the White Sox, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Valdez will dodge a matchup with southpaw Garrett Crochet, giving way to Jamie Westbrook at second base Friday. Since Vaughn Grissom (hamstring) got hurt June 1, Valdez is 7-for-20 with three homers, eight RBI and one strikeout.

Loftin is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Mariners.

Loftin will be out of the starting lineup for a second straight day, giving way to Adam Frazier at second base. Loftin had started six of the Royals' previous seven games, but they'll opt for the lefty-hitting Frazier on Friday.

Lowe isn't part of the starting nine for Friday's game against Baltimore, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lowe has generated a hit in four straight games but will take a seat with lefty Cole Irvin on the mound for the Orioles. Jose Caballero will play second base and Taylor Walls will play shortstop.

The Tigers outrighted Kennedy to Triple-A Toledo on Thursday after he cleared waivers.

Kennedy could elect free agency if he wants, but it's not clear at this point whether he will do so. If he doesn't, he'll join Toledo, where he will represent infield depth for the Tigers.

Valdez went 1-for-6 with a three-run home run and a walk in Thursday's 14-2 win over the White Sox.

Valdez turned the game into a romp with his fourth-inning blast. He's hit safely in his last five contests, going 7-for-20 (.350) with three homers and eight RBI in that span. The 25-year-old is slashing just .189/.218/.378 through 120 plate appearances, but he's added five homers, 19 RBI and 13 runs scored across 35 contests. Valdez remains in a starting role at second base while Vaughn Grissom (hamstring) is on the injured list.

Remillard cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Charlotte, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Remillard has been DFA'd three times since the beginning of the calendar year, and he has passed through waivers unclaimed all three times. The 30-year-old infielder has slashed .242/.342/.333 through 15 games with the White Sox but has not had the same success in Triple-A, logging a .349 OPS in 79 plate appearances.

Mateo (concussion) played catch on the field at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Thursday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Mateo was placed on the 7-day concussion injured list Monday after his teammate, Cedric Mullins, inadvertently hit him with the bat in the back of the helmet while in the on-deck circle. It's not clear yet whether Mateo will have a chance to return when first eligible June 10, but him being able to travel with the team and take part in some baseball activities is a encouraging sign.

Loftin is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Guardians.

Loftin had been excluded from the lineup the Royals released Wednesday before the game was ultimately postponed due to inclement weather, but he'll get a proper rest day Thursday. Garrett Hampson will step in at second base in place of Loftin, who had picked up starts in six of the Royals' previous seven games.

Gelof went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a stolen base in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Mariners.

Gelof's bat is coming around -- he's 7-for-23 (.304) with two homers and three doubles during his six-game hitting streak. Prior to the streak, he went just 7-for-51 (.137) across his first 14 games back from an oblique injury. Gelof is slashing just .193/.254/.331 on the year, adding five homers, six steals, 13 RBI and 18 runs scored over 44 contests, but he'll get every chance to continue starting at second base for a team that has struggled to be competitive.