MLB Player News

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Javier (shoulder) isn't expected to return from the 15-day injured list until late May or early June, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. "Hopefully it could be a little sooner."

Hunter Brown is facing a similar timeline for a return after he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 right shoulder strain April 5 before Javier went down with the exact same injury in his start three days later. Javier remains in the midst of a no-throw program and is expected to be re-evaluated later on during the upcoming week before the Astros decide on his next steps. Even if Javier gets the green light to start playing catch following his re-evaluation, he looks like he'll require at least a month to get fully stretched back out. A more definitive target date for Javier's return won't become clear until he's ready to head out on what will likely be a multi-start minor-league rehab assignment.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Brown (shoulder) isn't expected to return from the 15-day injured list until late May or early June, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. "Hopefully it could be a little sooner."

Cristian Javier is facing a similar timeline for a return after both he and Brown sustained Grade 2 right shoulder strains within less than a week of one another. Shortly after Brown was diagnosed with the injury April 5, the Astros indicated that the right-hander would be shut down from throwing for two weeks before being re-evaluated, so he could be cleared to start playing light catch at some point in the coming days. Even so, Brown will be in line for a lengthy buildup, and a more definitive target date for his return won't become clear until he's ready to head out on what will likely be a multi-start minor-league rehab assignment.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Sunday that Rookier (oblique) has resumed taking part in light baseball activities, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The veteran slugger landed on the shelf April 10 due to an oblique strain, and he was shut down from baseball activities for a little more than a week. Rooker will travel with the Athletics on their road trip this week as he continues to ramp up his activity level.

Wong is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Though he'll give way to Carlos Narvaez behind the dish Sunday, Wong may have supplanted the former atop the Red Sox's catching depth chart. Wong started each of the previous three games and owns an .885 OPS for the season, more than doubling up Narvaez's mark (.409). At least while he's dramatically outperforming Narvaez at the dish, Wong could be in line for the lion's share of the starts.

Mayer is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Mayer will hit the bench for the second game in a row while the Tigers send another lefty (Framber Valdez) to the mound for the series finale, after two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal took the hill for Detroit on Saturday. Isiah Kiner-Falefa will cover second base Sunday in Mayer's absence.

Keith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Keith will hit the bench for the third time in four games, with each of his absences coming while the Tigers have faced a left-handed starting pitcher. Jahmai Jones will take Keith's spot in the starting nine at designated hitter while Boston sends southpaw Garrett Crochet to the hill.

Heineman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

After a recent bout with back spasms, Heineman returned to the lineup Thursday and started three straight games, going 1-for-9 with an RBI and a run scored. Though Brandon Valenzuela will get the nod behind the plate Sunday, Heineman could be the Blue Jays' preferred option at catcher until Alejandro Kirk (thumb) is ready to return from the injured list.

Canzone is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Canzone will take a seat along with fellow left-handed hitters Luke Raley, Brendan Donovan (hip) and Josh Naylor while the Rangers send southpaw MacKenzie Gore to the hill. With Canzone on the bench, Cal Raleigh will get a day off from catching but will remain in the lineup at designated hitter.

Raley is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

After a stretch of nine consecutive starts, the left-handed-hitting Raley will hit the bench Sunday while southpaw MacKenzie Gore toes the rubber for Texas. With Raley sitting, Rob Refsnyder will enter the starting nine in right field and will bat leadoff.

Donovan (hip) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

He'll take a seat for the second day in a row while he manages a sore left hip, but the Mariners haven't yet indicated that Donovan is at major risk of landing on the 10-day injured list. Leo Rivas will spell Donovan at third base in the series finale.