MLB Player News

Bazzana batted leadoff and went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a triple and a stolen base in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Rangers.

Bazzana, who returned to leadoff after a one-game sojourn to cleanup, belted his first career leadoff homer to give Cleveland an early lead. It was his fourth home run in 34 games. He later hit his first triple and stole his ninth base. It didn't take long for Bazzana to adapt to MLB pitching; after going 0-for-12 to begin his career in the majors, he's slashed .319/.381/.522 across his next 113 plate appearances.

The Astros activated Altuve (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Altuve last played May 16 and didn't require a minor-league rehab assignment after suffering a Grade 2 left oblique strain last month. In 42 games this season, Altuve is slashing .245/.326/.380 with four home runs, 12 RBI, 27 runs scored, one stolen base and a 19:35 BB:K across 185 trips to the plate. His .706 OPS is the lowest it's been since the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

Mayer is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Yankees, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

With lefty Ryan Weathers on the mound for New York, Mayer is getting the night off from the starting nine, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa is making the start at shortstop and batting sixth. Mayer is slashing an underwhelming .222/.283/.296 with two homers, 14 RBI, 16 runs scored, three stolen bases and a 12:32 BB:K across 181 plate appearances this season.

McKinstry is starting in center field and batting eighth Friday against the Mariners.

It will be McKinstry's first action in center field since the 2023 season. The utility man has played second base, third base, shortstop and right field this season, and his positional versatility keeps him on the lineup card more often that not. McKinstry is in the midst of a 1-for-26 skid at the plate, however, and is slashing just .158/.246/.211 with one homer, nine RBI, two runs scored, one stolen base and a 14:23 BB:K across 132 plate appearances this season.

Massey went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 8-6 win over the Twins.

Massey got in on the offensive action with a single in the second inning before going yard to open the fourth frame. It marked his third homer over the past five games, during which the second baseman has hit safely and driven in at least one run in each contest. Across 47 contests in 2026, Massey is slashing .266/.287/.477 with six homers, nine doubles, 20 RBI, 16 runs and a stolen base.

The Rangers optioned Freeman to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Freeman had been promoted earlier this week but will head back to the minors after picking up one hit in two plate appearances. He's clearing out to make space on the roster for the return of Corey Seager (back).

Clement went 3-for-5 with a run scored in Thursday's win over Atlanta.

The 30-year-old infielder extended his current hitting streak to seven games with his fifth performance of the season of three hits or more. Clement has hit safely in 16 of his last 17 contests, slashing .381/.400/.619 over that blistering stretch with six doubles, three homers, one steal, 10 runs and 10 RBI.

Bazzana was dropped from leadoff to cleanup Thursday and went 0-for-4 in a 2-1 loss to the Yankees.

Bazzana has thrived since being moved to leadoff, so it was strange to see him batting fourth. Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reported that the unique lineup configuration was an attempt to maximize the Guardians' offense against left-hander Carlos Rodon. Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt trotted out three right-handed batters to open the game, followed by the lefty-hitting Bazzana.

The Rangers are expected to option Freeman to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Freeman was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Monday and went 1-for-2 with a strikeout Wednesday in his first major-league action of the season. However, the Rangers are expected to create roster space for Corey Seager (back) and another player by sending Freeman and Alejandro Osuna down Friday.

The Royals transferred India (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Josh Rojas. India is out for the season after undergoing surgery in late April to repair the labrum in his left shoulder, so his move to the 60-day IL was inevitable.