MLB Player News

Sanchez (groin) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, Conor Foley of the Scranton Times-Tribune reports.

The plan calls for Sanchez to play seven innings Sunday and then remain with the affiliate as it travels to Toledo on a road trip. Sanchez has been gradually ramping up his activity in recent weeks and he cleared his final hurdle Thursday by successfully running the bases. It looks like he has a chance to be ready right away July 20.

Mejia will serve as the designated hitter and bat sixth Saturday against the Yankees.

With lefty CC Sabathia pitching for New York, Yonder Alonso will head to the bench as Edwin Encarnacion moves to first base and Mejia -- just recalled from Triple-A Columbus -- slots in at DH. Mejia hit .324/.346/.527 against left-handed pitching with Columbus this season. It's uncertain how long the Indians plan to keep him at the major-league level.

Mejia was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Mejia has put together a .279/.329/.428 slash line with seven homers and 43 RBI over 77 games for the Clippers in 2018. He'll bat sixth and serve as the designated hitter for Saturday's matchup against the Yankees.

Stassi is out of Saturday's starting lineup against the Tigers.

Stassi will get the day off after going 2-for-6 with two strikeouts over his last two starts. Tim Federowicz is slated to bat ninth and take over the catching duties in his place.

Wynns will be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Wynns was sent down to the minors June 27 after an uninspiring .192 batting average over 26 at-bats. He figures to get a fair amount of playing time in the big leagues after Chance Sisco was demoted to Triple-A.

Maldonado is out of Friday's starting lineup against the Dodgers, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Maldonado will get the day off after starting five straight games. Jose Briceno will bat eighth and handle the catching duties in his stead.

Manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Sanchez (groin) may embark on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Sanchez was able to run the bases prior to the Thursday's game, which was a key step in his recovery from a groin strain. Look for him to appear in a smattering of minor-league games over the All-Star break. If all goes as planned, there's a real chance he will return to the Yankees for the start of the second half against the Mets on July 20.

Mejia (forearm) went 2-for-5 with an RBI for Triple-A Columbus in its 6-4 win over Louisville on Thursday.

Mejia missed several days after being hit in the forearm by a pitch Sunday, but he showed no ill effects in his return to action, turning in his 27th multi-hit game of the season. Overall, the 22-year-old has a healthy .281/.331/.431 slash line, but his recent audition in the outfield didn't go well and the Indians seem content with their options behind the plate at the major-league level, at least for the time being. With that, we may not see Mejia back in the majors until September.

Garver is out of Thursday's lineup against the Rays, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Garver is set for a second straight day off, as left-hander Blake Snell toes the rubber for Tampa Bay. Bobby Wilson will bat ninth and handle the catching duties during the series opener.

Sanchez (groin) ran the bases prior to Thursday's matchup with Cleveland, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Sanchez took a big step forward, as it's the first time he's managed to navigate the bases since suffering the injury. He's certainly on track to begin a rehab stint over the weekend, with a return from the disabled list likely after the All-Star break.