MLB Player News

DeLuca was removed from Friday's game against the Yankees with an apparent lower-body injury, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

DeLuca appeared to tweak something while running from first to third on Cedric Mullins' double in the seventh inning. It's unclear what exactly he's dealing with, but the Rays could have an update on his status after the game. If the 27-year-old has to miss any time, Ryan Vilade would likely be the next man up to replace DeLuca as Tampa Bay's right fielder.

Kelenic was scratched from the lineup for Friday's game against the Giants with a lower-back contusion, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Kelenic has logged a base hit in each of his last two games, but he'll take a seat Friday to allow his back to heal. Derek Hill will fill in as Chicago's right fielder and bat ninth.

The Tigers placed Smith on the 15-day injured list Friday with right shoulder inflammation.

Smith gave up one run in two-thirds of an inning during his appearance Thursday and came away from his outing with soreness in his shoulder. He received a cortisone injection Friday to help treat the issue, but he won't be able to avoid spending a couple of weeks on the injured list. Brenan Hanifee was recalled from Triple-A Toledo to fill the open spot in Detroit's bullpen.

The Tigers recalled Hanifee from Triple-A Toledo on Friday.

The move corresponds with the Tigers placing Burch Smith on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation. It's the second call-up this season for Haniffee, who has allowed two runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out five across 9.1 major-league innings. In 11 appearances in Triple-A, the right-hander has posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB across 12 innings.

Nimmo (hamstring) will start in right field and bat third Friday against the Angels.

Nimmo made an early exit from Wednesday's game against the Rockies due to hamstring tightness, but after resting during Texas' day off Thursday, he will return to the starting nine without missing a start. The 33-year-old has been relatively cold at the plate recently, slashing .237/.328/.339 with one homer, four RBI and seven runs scored across 67 plate appearances since the beginning of May.

Romo is not in the White Sox's starting lineup against the Giants on Friday.

Romo will be on the bench for the beginning of Friday's contest while Edgar Quero starts behind home plate and bats ninth. Romo has gone 8-for-45 (.178) with one steal, four home runs and seven RBI since being called up by the White Sox in late April.

The Angels transferred Kikuchi (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Friday.

Kikuchi is expected to miss multiple months after initially landing on the injured list May 3 with shoulder inflammation, so moving to the 60-day IL doesn't affect his return timeline. It does, however, free up a spot on the 40-man roster, helping to make room for Donovan Walton and Wade Meckler.

Vargas (hand) is starting at third base and batting third against the Giants on Friday.

Vargas was not in Wednesday's lineup against the Mariners due to a hand injury, though he ended up entering the game in the eighth inning to pinch hit and drew a walk. He is slashing .237/.367/.485 with seven steals, 11 home runs and 29 RBI across 207 plate appearances this season.

The Angels selected Meckler's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

With struggling Josh Lowe being sent down to Salt Lake, Meckler is getting a chance with the big club after slashing .312/.444/.477 with four home runs, 14 RBI, 20 runs scored, six stolen bases and a 26:22 BB:K across 136 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A this season. Meckler last appeared in the big leagues in 2023 with the Giants, when he hit .232 with a .578 OPS in 64 trips to the plate. Meckler is starting in left field and batting sixth for the Angels on Friday against the Rangers.

The Angels optioned Lowe to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

Lowe has underperformed during his first season in Anaheim, slashing .184/.226/.320 with five homers, 14 RBI and eight runs scored across 134 plate appearances. The Angels will now send him down to the minors to get back on track, and Wade Meckler will come up from Salt Lake to fill the active roster spot and possibly take over as the big club's primary left fielder.