MLB Player News

The Astros claimed infielder Ryan Jackson off waivers from the Cardinals Wednesday while also releasing pitcher John Ely and designating outfielder J.D. Martinez for assignment. Infielder Jake Elmore was also claimed off waivers by the White Sox.

Jackson went 0 for 7 in seven appearances with the Cardinals last season while also hitting .278/.352/.346 with three home runs, 34 RBI and nine stolen bases in 442 at-bats with Triple-A Memphis. Ely pitched just four Triple-A innings before undergoing Tommy John surgery. Martinez hit .250/.272/.378 with seven home runs and 36 RBI in 296 at-bats with the Astros last season.

The Red Sox are not considering signing third baseman Xander Bogaerts to a long-term deal, MLB.com reports.

Bogaerts went 11 for 44 with one home run, five RBI and one stolen base during the regular season in his Red Sox debut, as well as 8 for 27 with two RBI and six walks in the postseason. He hit .297/.388/.477 with 15 home runs, 67 RBI and seven stolen bases in 444 at-bats between Double-A and Triple-A last season.

Red Sox manager John Farrell put Xander Bogaerts in the starting lineup for Wednesday's Game 1 of the World Series, pencilling him in at third base and seventh in the batting order.

Farrell had hinted earlier in the week that he might start the rookie over Will Middlebrooks, who started 90 games at third base during the regular season.

The Boston Herald reports that Red Sox manager John Farrell has indicated he may start rookie Xander Bogaerts at third base in Game 1 of the World Series and possibly beyond. Farrell told the Herald he had spoken with third baseman Will Middlebrooks to let him know he "may be in a little different role," implying he would head to the bench to make way for Bogaerts.

Bogaerts started the final two games of the American League Championship Series against the Tigers, going 2 for 4 with three walks in those contests.

Red Sox infielder Xander Bogaerts will get the start Game 5 against the Tigers.

Bogaerts will start at third base and hit eighth against Anibal Sanchez. He will replace Will Middlebrooks. Bogaerts is hitting .250/.320/.364 in 44 at-bats during the regular season. 

Red Sox rookie infielder Xander Bogaerts could get the start Game 5 against the Tigers, according to the Boston Herald.

Manager John Farrell admitted the team was getting little production from the left side of the infield after a 7-3 loss in Game 4. Bogaerts would likely start over Will Middlebrooks. Farrell has backed shortstop Stephen Drew despite his postseason struggles, saying he's experienced some bad luck with batted balls recently. 

Bogaerts said he's felt "very confident, very relaxed" during the series. He added that he's been working on things during batting practice, and said anything could happen if given an opportunity. 

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts is in the team's starting lineup Thursday against the Orioles.

Bogaerts is replacing Will Middlebrooks, who is out with flu-like symptoms. Bogaerts is hitting .303 in 33 at-bats. 

Starting for the second straight game and the third time in four, Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts went 2 for 3 with a double, a walk and two runs scored Sunday against the Yankees, but the 20-year-old prospect has impressed his coaches with more than just his performance, according to WEEI.com.

"He's been all eyes and ears. He asks great questions," manager John Farrell said. "This has been invaluable, the time that he’s been here so far. He’s got a bright future."

Splitting his time between shortstop and third base to give Stephen Drew and Will Middlebrooks occasional days off, Bogaerts has hit .303 in 33 at-bats.

"If you make a pitch out over the plate, he's likely to put a good swing on it," Farrell said. "There's strength, there's bat speed, there's a good plane through the strike zone with the swing."

With Drew entering free agency this offseason, Bogaerts is a candidate to take over as the Red Sox's starting shortstop in 2014.

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts went deep for his first career home run during a rout of the Yankees on Saturday afternoon, the Boston Herald reports.

Bogaerts, batting ninth, recorded his second hit of the day as hit went sailing over the left-field wall for a mammoth shot. Bogaerts was 2 for 3 at the time with three RBI. The HR was a two-run shot. He's batting .348 thus far for Boston.

Bogaerts has four RBI and four in his last four games as he's continuing to do more and more for manager John Farrell.

The Kansas City Royals promoted the following six players to the roster Tuesday before a game against Seattle, the Kansas City Star reports. 

As expected, Louis Coleman and Wade Davis have rejoined the bullpen from Class A Wilmington. The Royals also promoted for Triple-A Omaha players as infielder Johnny Giavotella and reliever Donnie Joseph were recalled and Carlos Pena and Pedro Ciriaco had their contracts purchased. 

Kansas City cleared space on the 40-man roster by moving pitcher Noel Arguelles to the 60-day disabled list and designating infielder Edinson Rincon for assignment. Rincon was at Double-A Northwest Arkansas.