MLB Player News

Ragans said after being removed from Wednesday's start against the Guardians with a left thumb contusion that he "should be good" to make his next start, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Ragans' thumb was struck by a comebacker in the first inning. He initially remained in the game but was unable to continue after the thumb stiffened up on him and affected his command. Ragans will need to show during his between-starts bullpen session that his thumb is no longer an issue, but for now he's tentatively on track to take the ball next week in Detroit.

Soler was suspended seven games by Major League Baseball on Wednesday for his involvement in a brawl during Tuesday's game with Atlanta, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. Soler is appealing the suspension.

Soler charged the mound and traded punches with Atlanta pitcher Reynaldo Lopez after high inside pitch from Lopez in the fifth inning. Earlier in the game, Soler homered in his first plate appearance and was hit by a pitch by Lopez his second time up. The 34-year-old Soler will continue to be available to play for the Angels as the appeals process plays out.

Javier was lifted from Wednesday's start in Colorado after just one inning due to right shoulder tightness, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

AJ Blubaugh was warming in the Astros' bullpen before Javier even took the field before the second inning, so it seems the club knew something was off. Javier then threw a warm-up pitch, motioned to the dugout and eventually exited, with Blubaugh entering the game. If Javier needs to go on the injured list, Blubaugh is a candidate to absorb his rotation spot.

Meyers was removed from Wednesday's game versus the Rockies in the second inning due to lower-back tightness, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Meyers checked his swing on a Michael Lorenzen pitch but tweaked something in the process. He will likely be sent for an MRI to gain more clarity on the injury. Should Meyers have to miss time, Joey Loperfido and Brice Matthews are candidates for more playing time in center field.

Wells is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Athletics.

Wells will receive a routine day of rest after he had started at catcher in each of the previous five tilts. J.C. Escarra will handle catching duties Wednesday in Wells' stead.

Rosario will start at third base and bat eighth in Wednesday's contest versus the Athletics.

Rosario earned another start by slugging two home runs in Tuesday's victory over the Athletics. Ryan McMahon will slide over to shortstop in place of Jose Caballero, who is getting a day off Wednesday.

Caballero is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Athletics.

Caballero started each of the first 10 games this season at shortstop, but he'll get some rest Wednesday. Ryan McMahon is making his first-ever professional start at shortstop, while Amed Rosario will handle third base for the Yankees.

The Guardians returned Allen to Triple-A Columbus on Monday.

Cleveland called Allen up from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday and designated him as its 27th man for a doubleheader with the Cubs, but he went unused out of the bullpen for either game of the twin bill. He'll slot back into the rotation upon returning to Columbus.

The Royals announced that Ragans was removed from his start in Wednesday's game against the Guardians in the first inning due to a left thumb contusion. He recorded two outs via strikeout and was charged with three earned runs on two hits and one walk.

Ragans sustained the injury when he was struck on the hand by a Jose Ramirez comebacker. The southpaw initially stayed in the game, but after struggling with his control against the next two hitters he faced, the Royals opted to pull the plug on his start. Though preliminary X-rays have ruled out any structural damage to Ragans' pitching hand, he'll still need to show that the thumb contusion presents no issues with his ability to grip and command the baseball before the Royals clear him to make his next turn through the rotation. Ragans tentatively lines up to make his fourth start of the season during next week's series in Detroit.

The Angels announced that Stephenson underwent ligament and flexor repair surgery on his right elbow Wednesday and is likely to miss the remainder of the season, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Stephenson was placed on the 60-day injured list prior to Opening Day due to right elbow inflammation, an issue that cropped up during spring training. He had initially been eased into workouts during camp after he had experienced symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome over the winter. While Stephenson was able to avoid another UCL reconstruction surgery after previously requiring the procedure in May 2024, the 33-year-old right-hander is nonetheless on track to miss his second full season since signing a three-year, $33 million deal with the Angels following the 2023 campaign. The contract includes a $2.5 million club option for 2027, so the Angels could still look to bring him back next season if they're satisfied with where he stands in the rehab process.