MLB Player News

Blanco (elbow) tossed 40 pitches in a simulated game Saturday and will soon start a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Florida Complex League, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Blanco has been sidelined all season while continuing his recovery from last June's Tommy John surgery with an internal brace. The right-hander has been throwing bullpen sessions for a few months and progressed to facing live hitters in late May. Blanco now appears ready to return to game action in the FCL, though he isn't expected to be ready to pitch for the Astros until after the All-Star break.

Diaz (oblique) could be reinstated from the 10-day injured list during the Astros' upcoming series versus Detroit, which begins Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Diaz has been shelved since early May due to a left oblique strain. He began a minor-league rehab assignment Tuesday and has gone 2-for-11 with a walk through three games with Triple-A Sugar Land. Diaz should reclaim his job as Houston's No. 1 catcher upon his return, though his .602 OPS through 26 games this season may leave the door open for the defensively superior Christian Vazquez to force a timeshare.

Martinez had X-rays come back negative and was diagnosed with a bruised left foot Saturday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Martinez was pulled from Saturday's matchup against Detroit due to the injury, which occurred when he fouled a ball off his foot in the first inning. The fact that he initially stayed in the game bodes well for his likelihood of avoiding of a long-term absence, as does the negative X-rays. Still, it's too early to tell whether Martinez will need to miss additional time.

DeLauter exited Saturday's game against Detroit due to a right rib cage contusion, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

DeLauter suffered the injury when he crashed into the outfield wall while pursuing a batted ball in the top of the first inning. He initially remained in the contest but was pulled after grabbing at his side while running to first base on a single in the bottom of the frame. At this point, it's unclear how much additional time (if any) DeLauter will need to miss, or if an IL stint is on the table.

Martinez was removed from Saturday's contest against the Tigers due to an apparent foot injury, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Martinez fouled a ball off his left foot during his at-bat in the first inning. He initially stayed in the game but was replaced in left field by Steven Kwan to begin the third frame. Martinez became the second Cleveland outfielder to be removed from Saturday's contest -- Chase DeLauter had to exit for a pinch runner due to an apparent side injury in the first inning. Updates on both players should come after they are evaluated by the Guardians' training staff.

Mountcastle (foot) did some running Saturday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Mountcastle has been out of action since April 11 due to a fractured left foot. He is currently on the 60-day IL, and though he's already eligible to be reinstated, the 29-year-old isn't expected to be activated until late June or early July. Given that he's now back to running, it sounds like Mountcastle is progressing well toward that timeline.

DeLauter was pulled from Saturday's contest in the first inning against Detroit due to an apparent injury to his right side, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

DeLauter crashed into the outfield wall while trying to corral a ball hit by Gleyber Torres in the top of the first inning. It's not clear if that was related to what happened during DeLauter's at-bat in the bottom of the frame, when he hit a single off Tarik Skubal but appeared to be grabbing at his right side as he approached first base. DeLauter was subsequently replaced by pinch runner Daniel Schneemann. The Guardians could have an update on DeLauter's status during or shortly after Saturday's game.

Collins is out of the starting lineup Saturday versus Houston.

Collins will get his first day off since June 2 after batting .222 with only one extra-base hit and a 6:6 BB:K over his past nine contests. Lane Thomas is starting in left field in Collins' place Saturday.

Leiter (3-6) took the loss against the Red Sox on Friday, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out three batters across five innings.

Leiter had a 1-0 lead to work with when he first took the mound Friday, but he watched it quickly disappear as Wilyer Abreu drove in a run on a sacrifice fly and Willson Contreras homered in the next at-bat to make it a 2-1 game after the first inning. Leiter then gave up four consecutive hits to lead off the fifth inning, sparking a four-run outburst from the Red Sox that would put the game well out of reach. The 26-year-old righty has now given up exactly five earned runs in back-to-back starts and has amassed just five combined strikeouts during those outings. He'll aim to right the ship next week against the Twins at home.

Anthony continues to experience pain in his injured right hand when swinging, though he still believes he is progressing in his recovery, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Anthony has been out of action since early May due to a sprained ligament at the base of his right ring finger. He's resumed swinging a bat and then been shut down on multiple occasions, as he hasn't yet been able to shed the discomfort caused by the injury. Anthony explained Saturday, "[it's] progressing a lot slower than I had imagined in the beginning of this but definitely progressing, which is the biggest thing. It's just pain in my hand. That's what it was until it's not that, I'll be here. But as soon as it feels like it starts to get a whole lot better, I'm sure we'll have a better idea of where we're at and how it's going to go from there." The star slugger isn't expected to be ready to return to action until at least early July, and he'll likely need to be able to swing at full capacity without pain before the Red Sox feel comfortable activating him.