MLB Player News

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.

Fortes is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Cubs.

Fortes started at catcher in the first two games of the series, so he'll get some rest in Wednesday's finale. Hunter Feduccia will be behind the dish and bat seventh for Tampa Bay.

Mullins is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

Right-hander Colin Rea will toe the rubber for the Cubs, but the left-handed-hitting Mullins will nonetheless begin the contest on the bench. Jonny DeLuca will patrol center field and bat eighth in Wednesday's rubber match.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

After starting in each of Houston's last five games, Diaz will get a much-needed breather as the Astros wrap up their series in Colorado with a day game after a night game. Christian Vazquez will handle catching duties Wednesday.

Lukes will start in right field and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

Lukes will be making his second straight start in right and could end up seeing most of his playing time at that position for the foreseeable future following Addison Barger's (ankle) recent placement on the injured list. The Blue Jays are likely to use Lukes in a platoon, with Myles Straw or Davis Schneider potentially spelling him when the team faces left-handed pitching.

Heineman will start at catcher and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

Heineman won the Blue Jays' backup catching role coming out of spring training, but he doesn't look like he'll see the overwhelming majority of the starts behind the plate after top backstop Alejandro Kirk fractured his left thumb Friday and later underwent surgery. Since Kirk went down with injury, Heineman has logged three starts at catcher, while the newly recalled Brandon Valenzuela has started twice. Heineman has been productive in a limited sample with a .795 OPS over 16 plate appearances this season, but until he takes on a larger volume of playing time, he likely won't warrant much intrigue outside of AL-only leagues.

Jung (undisclosed) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners.

Jung will hit the bench for the third time in four games, with manager Skip Schumaker noting Tuesday that the 28-year-old is "a little banged up." Ezequiel Duran will pick up another start at third base in his stead, but Jung is expected to be available to play, if needed.

Correa is absent from the lineup for a second straight day Wednesday in Colorado due to an illness, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Correa wasn't at the ballpark at all Tuesday, but he was present Wednesday and went through a light workout. He could be available off the bench for the series finale, but Correa will aim to return to the Astros' starting lineup Friday in Seattle after his team is idle Thursday. Isaac Paredes will handle third base duties again Wednesday.

Ragans was removed from his start Wednesday against the Guardians in the first inning due to an apparent left hand injury, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports. He recorded two outs and was charged with three earned runs on two hits and a walk prior to departing.

After striking out the first two batters he faced, Ragans was struck in his pitching hand by a 96-mile-per-hour comebacker off the bat of Jose Ramirez, who reached on an infield single. Ragans was evaluated by the Royals' training staff and cleared to remain in the game, but after issuing a four-pitch walk and then yielding a two-run double to Chase DeLauter, he was pulled from the contest. The Royals will likely send him in for X-rays to determine whether or not he suffered a fracture, but even if tests come back negative, Ragans could still be at risk of missing his next turn through the rotation.