MLB Player News

Kittredge's (shoulder) minor-league rehab assignment has been halted due to paternity leave, per Jake Rill of MLB.com.

Through three outings for Triple-A Norfolk, Kittredge has given up one run on three hits and one walk while fanning five over 2.2 innings. The right-hander is likely to continue his assignment once he's ready to get back on the mound, so his season debut with the Orioles may not come until late April at this point.

Vest (1-2) struck out all three batters he faced in an inning of relief to earn the win in Tuesday's 2-1 victory over the Royals.

Vest was making his first relief appearance in five days, and he got hit hard his last time out, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk while retiring only two batters. The veteran looked much better Tuesday and lowered his ERA from 7.94 to 6.75. Vest has allowed five earned runs across two of his eight outings so far, but he's been spotless in his other six appearances, and better days should be ahead for the typically reliable righty after enduring a few hiccups in the early going.

Jansen worked around a hit to toss a scoreless inning of relief and earn the save in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Royals.

After securing just one save through the first 13 games of the season, Jansen now has two in Detroit's last four contests. The lack of opportunities overall has limited the veteran to only 3.2 innings so far out of the bullpen, though he's looked sharp in the small sample with a 2.45 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and six strikeouts. The Tigers figure to pick up the pace, and Jansen would stand to benefit as the team's unquestioned closer.

Contreras was removed from Tuesday's game against the Twins due to lower-back tightness, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Contreras was hit by a 92.7-mph sinker in the fourth inning and was eventually replaced on defense by Andruw Monasterio in the fifth. Details regarding Contreras' short-term availability should emerge after the Red Sox take a closer look at him, and if he has to miss any amount of time, Monasterio would be the favorite to receive starts at first base.

Collins was removed from Tuesday's game against the Tigers with a right knee contusion.

Collins ran into the fence and fell into the stands while attempting to catch a foul ball in the first inning and came down awkwardly on his shoulder/head. He seems to have escaped the incident with nothing other than a bruised knee, so an extended absence shouldn't be necessary. Tyler Tolbert entered the game as Collins' replacement, though Michael Massey and Lane Thomas would also be in the mix for extra playing time if Collins has to miss any starts.

Langford (quadriceps) will serve as Texas' designated hitter and bat second against the Athletics on Tuesday.

Langford managed to avoid a trip to the injured list after suffering a right quad strain Friday, and he'll now return to the starting nine following a three-game absence. The 24-year-old has started slowly this season, slashing just .170/.185/.340 with a homer, three RBI and four runs scored through his first 54 plate appearances. He'll have an opportunity to turn things around Tuesday, however, as lefty Jeffrey Springs will be on the mound for the A's, and Langford boasts an .828 OPS against southpaws in his MLB career.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rockies, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Diaz started the previous three games and will receive a day off after going 2-for-11 with a solo homer and an additional RBI during that stretch. Christian Vazquez will work behind the plate and bat ninth versus Colorado righty Michael Lorenzen.

Casas (knee) was diagnosed with an abdominal strain Tuesday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Casas began the regular season on the injured list to finish up his recovery from patellar tendon surgery but began to have problems with his left side after he resumed a swinging progression. Now that he's been confirmed to be dealing with an abdominal strain, the 26-year-old will be shut down from all activity until he begins to feel better. The Red Sox will then begin to build him up in a similar fashion to spring training, at which point a clearer timeline for his return to play could emerge.

Hoskins is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Cardinals.

Hoskins started the previous eight games and will head to the bench after going 5-for-29 (.172 average) with three doubles, a homer, four RBI and five runs during that span. Chase DeLauter is serving as the designated hitter Tuesday while George Valera picks up a start in the outfield.

Gelof is starting in right field and batting seventh Tuesday versus the Rangers.

Tuesday's game will mark Geldof's first career regular-season appearance in the outfield at the major-league level. The second baseman got work in the outfield during spring training as well as a few games of work in Triple-A Las Vegas after failing to make the Opening Day roster.