MLB Player News

Strzelecki signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Strzelecki elected free agency Wednesday after being DFA'd by the Brewers, and he'll now receive an opportunity to carve out a role for himself in the Yankees organization. He will report to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, though his career 3.44 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in the majors make him a strong candidate for promotion at some point this season.

The Rangers transferred Baumler (ribs) to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Baumler landed on the injured list in early April with a right intercostal strain. He was cleared to begin a rehab assignment later in the month but has been shut down since April 28 due to a setback in his recovery. His move to the 60-day IL will keep him sidelined through June 4, though it's unclear how far away he is from returning. Blaine Crim was claimed off waivers from the Rockies in a corresponding move.

The Rangers claimed Crim off waivers from the Rockies on Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Round Rock.

Crim was DFA'd by the Rockies on Wednesday, but he'll reclaim a 40-man roster spot while returning to the organization that drafted him back in 2019. The 28-year-old has spent the entire season in Triple-A, slashing .265/.339/.449 across 165 plate appearances. Carter Baumler (ribs) was transferred to the 60-day IL in a corresponding move.

Crochet (shoulder) will face hitters Tuesday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

This will be Crochet's first live batting practice session since landing on the injured list. He threw another side session Saturday. If Tuesday's session goes well, the Red Sox could send Crochet on a rehab assignment.

Bazzana is leading off Saturday against Zack Wheeler and the Phillies.

Bazzana had been batting fifth recently, but he earned the bump to the leadoff spot by slashing .273/.391/.364 with two home runs, seven steals and a 14.1 percent walk rate in 22 games. The rookie second baseman leads the Guardians in on-base percentage, with Brayan Rocchio's .376 mark ranking second to Bazzana's .391.

Garver isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Royals.

Garver will catch a breather after going 2-for-4 with a two-run homer during Friday's series opener. Jhonny Pereda will pick up a start behind the dish as a result and bat eighth.

Rocchio is not in Saturday's lineup against the Phillies.

This is his first day off since May 5, as Rocchio is in the midst of a breakout season. He is slashing .291/.376/.418 with four home runs, nine steals and an 11 percent strikeout rate in 51 games. Daniel Schneeman is starting at shortstop and batting sixth against Zack Wheeler.

Scherzer (forearm) threw around 30 pitches in a bullpen session Friday at Rogers Centre, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The Blue Jays are still working through his next steps -- he could throw another bullpen session or throw live batting practice in Toronto. Once he throws to live hitters, he'll go on a rehab assignment, per Zwelling.

Loperfido (quad) will begin a rehab assignment Sunday with Double-A Corpus Christi, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Loperfido started light baseball activity May 5 and has been sidelined since April 17 with a right quadriceps strain. Fellow big leaguers Hunter Brown (shoulder), Josh Hader (biceps) and Taylor Trammell (groin) will also be playing in Sunday's game for the Hooks. Loperfido could return sometime next week.

Okamoto isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates.

Okamoto will get a chance to regroup Saturday after going 0-for-16 with 10 strikeouts in his last four games. Ernie Clement will slide to third base as a result, opening up second base for Lenyn Sosa.