MLB Player News

Kikuchi was lifted from his start Wednesday against the White Sox prior to the bottom of the third inning due to left shoulder tightness. He struck out a batter and allowed two hits and one walk over two scoreless frames before departing.

After noticing a minor velocity dip in the second inning, Kikuchi came back out for the third but didn't throw a pitch. He appeared to experience some discomfort while warming up, and then checked out of the game after a brief visit with a trainer. Mitch Farris entered the game in place of Kikuchi and will likely be tasked with covering multiple frames out of the bullpen. The Angels will likely send Kikuchi in for further testing to glean more information regarding the extent of the injury.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that Pasquantino is considered day-to-day after exiting Tuesday's game versus the Athletics with low-back tightness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Pasquantino revealed that his back has bothered him for "a while," as he's been receiving regular treatment and using a heating/massage back pad in the dugout. He was "just having a hard time getting it loose" Tuesday, forcing his removal in the sixth inning. The Royals will see how Pasquantino is feeling Wednesday before determining his availability for the second game of the series. If Pasquantino is unable to play, the Royals could use Salvador Perez or Nick Loftin at first base.

Schneider is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.

Schneider had been included in the lineup in each of the last four games, going 0-for-9 with four walks during that stretch. Three of those starts came against left-handed pitching, and Schneider appears likely to be mostly limited to a short-side platoon role moving forward with the Blue Jays getting George Springer (toe) back from the injured list for Wednesday's series finale.

Heineman is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.

Heineman will get a breather Wednesday after he started behind the dish in the first two contests of the series. Brandon Valenzuela will fill in for Heineman at catcher, forming a battery with starting pitcher Eric Lauer.

The Blue Jays designated Jimenez for assignment Wednesday.

Jimenez will cede his spot on the roster to George Springer (toe), who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list. Jimenez got a bit of run at designated hitter while Springer was out, going 9-for-31 -- all singles -- in 12 games. He'll now go through the waivers process.

The Blue Jays activated Springer (toe) from the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Springer -- who skipped a rehab assignment -- is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Red Sox but will be available off the bench, per Hazel Mae of Sportsnet. The 36-year-old had been shelved for the past two-and-a-half weeks due to a fractured left big toe. Eloy Jimenez was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Narvaez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.

After seeing his six-game hitting streak come to an end during Tuesday's 3-0 loss, Narvaez will receive a breather for the series finale in Toronto. Connor Wong will step in behind the plate for the Red Sox and will bat seventh.

Boston recalled Eaton from Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday

In a corresponding move to Garrett Crochet's (shoulder) placement on the 15-day injured list, Eaton was called up to the major leagues for the first time this season. Opening the season with Worcester, the 29-year-old has batted .292 with three home runs in 96 plate appearances. Eaton appeared in 41 regular-season games for the Red Sox last year and hit .296 with one homer and nine steals. He should fill a super-utility role while up with the big club.

Mayer is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.

With a left-hander (Eric Lauer) on the hill for Toronto, the left-handed-hitting Mayer will bow out of the lineup for the series finale. He'll be replaced in the starting nine by Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who will man second base and bat eighth.

Crochet (shoulder) said Wednesday that he's "pretty confident" he'll be able to return from the injured list in the minimum 15 days, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Coming off his best outing since Opening Day in Saturday's win over Baltimore -- a seven-strikeout gem over six scoreless innings -- Crochet was surprisingly placed on the IL on Wednesday due to left shoulder inflammation. Though any shoulder injury for a pitcher carries some level of a concern, Crochet indicated that the Red Sox deactivated him mostly as a matter of caution, after the southpaw relayed to the coaching staff that he felt some fatigue during Saturday's outing. While Crochet will continue to receive daily treatment for his shoulder, he hasn't stopped throwing since his last start, which bodes well for his odds of returning from the IL when first eligible May 12. In the meantime, the Red Sox are likely to recall left-hander Jake Bennett from Triple-A Worcester to replace Crochet for two turns through the rotation.