MLB Player News

Scherzer's (back) rehab assignment has been paused after he received three cortisone injections in his right thumb Monday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Scherzer was originally placed on the injured list last month due to back spasms, so he must have re-injured his thumb in his rehab start last Wednesday. The veteran right-hander has dealt with a laundry list of injuries this season, limiting him to six starts. Scherzer has posted a 10.23 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 14:11 K:BB across 22 innings when healthy enough to pitch.

Durbin went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored in a 10-0 win over the Rays in the first game of Friday's doubleheader.

He also got hit by a pitch. Durbin continues to wield a hot stick, posting a third multi-hit game over his last six contests. He entered Friday's matinee on a roll with a .325 batting average (26-for-80), five doubles, six home runs, 13 RBI, five steals and 17 runs scored over his previous 23 games.

The Athletics transferred Rooker (knee) to the 60-day injured list Friday.

Rooker has already been ruled out for the remainder of the 2026 season, and he recently underwent surgery to repair torn cartilage. He's expected to be ready for the start of spring training in February. When healthy this season, Rooker slashed a disappointing .200/.281/.389 with 10 homers, 29 RBI, 20 runs scored, two stolen bases and a 19:65 BB:K across 203 trips to the plate.

Martinez (foot) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus on Friday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Martinez hasn't played since June 13 due to a broken left foot but will see five innings of action Friday. Martinez had been filling an everyday role in the outfield for the Guardians prior to his injury and has slashed .239/.276/.442 with 11 homers, 33 RBI, 28 runs scored, nine stolen bases and a 7:53 BB:K across 243 plate appearances this season.

Houck (elbow) has started throwing two bullpen sessions per week, MLB.com reports.

Houck has begun ramping up and hopes to pitch before the end of the regular season. It's unlikely the Red Sox will use him as a starter, so any rehab assignment would resemble that of a relief pitcher. The right-hander has been sidelined since last August, when he underwent hybrid reconstruction surgery on his right UCL.

Kayfus underwent surgery Friday to repair a broken right ankle along with ligament damage, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Kayfus suffered the injury last Sunday with Triple-A Columbus and will likely be sidelined for multiple months and possibly the remainder of the 2026 season. Kayfus appeared in nine games with Cleveland this season but went 4-for-22 with one homer, two RBI, four runs scored and a 2:8 BB:K. He has a .705 OPS with Columbus.

The Astros activated Teng (knee) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Teng had originally been optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land in late June, but the transaction was changed to a placement on the 15-day IL with a right knee sprain. Teng will rejoin Houston's bullpen after making 10 starts for the team. He has a 4.36 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 63:28 K:BB across 64 innings spanning 23 appearances this season.

The Astros placed Matthews on the 10-day injured list Friday with a left knee sprain.

In a corresponding move, the Astros selected Lucas Spence's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land, and Spencer will man center field in his major-league debut Friday against Baltimore. Matthews was injured in the Astros' final game before the All-Star break. He's hitting .197 with seven homers, 22 RBI, 23 runs scored, four stolen bases and a 15:71 BB:K across 226 plate appearances this season.

Schmidt (elbow) will throw live batting practice Saturday, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Schmidt is nearing a return from the internal brace procedure he underwent last July, and this will be his first time facing live hitters. As long as he gets through a couple BP sessions, Schmidt should then head out on a rehab assignment, giving him a chance to return to the big-league pitching staff sometime next month.

Seager (back) is doing some light running on the field ahead of Friday's game against Atlanta, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Seager has played just four games since June 11 due to concussion and back issues, and he's still recovering from lower-back inflammation. It's been an extremely disappointing season for the 32-year-old, who is slashing just .182/.292/.374 with 10 homers, 25 RBI, 28 runs scored, one stolen base and a 28:59 BB:K across 219 trips to the plate.