MLB Player News

Pena (hamstring) could begin a rehab assignment this weekend, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Pena has been shelved since mid-April with a Grade 1 right hamstring strain but appears nearly ready to test himself in a game setting. Since his absence has been relatively brief, Pena shouldn't require an extended rehab assignment before returning to the Astros' active roster.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Barger (ankles) being activated from the 10-day injured list on Friday would be a "worst-case scenario,"Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Barger slugged a home run in his first rehab game with Single-A Dunedin on Sunday and will suit up for the affiliate once again Tuesday. He could rejoin the Blue Jays after that and be activated as soon as Wednesday, but a return Friday for the start of a homestand seems likelier. Barger has been sidelined since early April after spraining both of his ankles.

The Astros activated Dezenzo (elbow) from the 10-day injured list Monday and optioned him to Triple-A Sugar Land.

Dezenzo got a late start to the season after suffering a right elbow sprain during the World Baseball Classic while playing for Team Italy. He's gone 8-for-27 with one home run and a 7:7: BB:K in eight rehab games, and the Astros have elected to keep him in the minors rather than put him back on the major-league roster.

Alexander will start at third base and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Yankees.

Alexander will stick in the lineup for the fourth straight game at his fourth different position, after previously making starts at second base, center field and shortstop. The Orioles will likely continue to make room for Alexander in the lineup versus left-handed pitching, but his opportunities to start against righties may be more sporadic while he maintains a weak .472 OPS over 80 plate appearances on the season.

McGonigle is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox.

The Tigers typically include the left-handed-hitting McGonigle in the lineup against southpaws, but he'll be given a day off for just the third time all season while lefty Payton Tolle toes the rubber for Boston. With McGonigle on the bench, the Tigers will go with Zack Short and Colt Keith as their starters on the left side of the infield.

Barger (ankles) went 1-for-2 with a walk and a two-run home run while serving as the designated hitter in his first rehab game with Single-A Dunedin on Sunday.

The Blue Jays have not revealed their plans for Barger's rehab assignment, but Keegan Matheson of MLB.com suggests the likely plan is for Barger to fly north with the major-league club from Tampa on Wednesday night after he plays in a couple more games with Dunedin. Further, Matheson says Barger should be expected to slide right back into five starts per week for Toronto upon his return from the IL, despite the 26-year-old's 1-for-19 start before the injury.

The Yankees reinstated Volpe (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Volpe is healthy again after being shelved to begin the season while completing his recovery from the left shoulder surgery that he underwent Oct. 14, but the Yankees aren't yet willing to commit to using him in an everyday role at the big-league level. With his 20-day rehab window coming to a close Sunday, the 25-year-old will end up sticking around in the minors while the Yankees proceed with Jose Caballero as their primary shortstop. Volpe had split time between Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Double-A Somerset over his rehab assignment and wasn't overly impressive, slashing .250/.306/.318 with one extra-base hit and two stolen bases over 13 games. Volpe will continue to play on a regular basis at Triple-A, and if he's able to show improvement at the plate and/or if Jose Caballero's performance regresses, the Yankees could turn shortstop duties back over to Volpe at some point later this season.

The Guardians promoted Genao from Double-A Akron to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday.

After posting a .682 OPS over 77 games with Akron in 2025, Genao improved that mark by more than 100 points this season to earn the bump up to Triple-A. The 21-year-old shortstop hasn't displayed much growth in the power department, but he's made stark improvement with his plate discipline. He walked in 21.6 percent of his 105 plate appearances in 2026, well above the 8.6 percent walk rate he posted a season ago.

The Blue Jays promoted Nimmala from High-A Vancouver to Double-A New Hampshire on Sunday.

Nimmala will make the jump to Double-A after submitting a .241/.362/.483 slash line with four home runs and two stolen bases over 105 plate appearances for Vancouver to begin the season. Not set to turn 21 years old until October, Nimmala will be one of the youngest players in the Eastern League, so if he can produce at even a league-average level for New Hampshire, it would bode well for his chances of emerging as the everyday shortstop for Toronto at some point in 2027.

Martinez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.

He'll head to the bench for the second time in the series while the Guardians go with Steven Kwan, Petey Halpin and Chase DeLauter as their starting outfield from left to right. During his lone start in Sacramento, Martinez went 3-for-6 with a run scored in Saturday's 14-6 win, lifting his season average up to .275.