MLB Player News

Lugo (back) received a cortisone injection Thursday and will resume throwing Sunday or Monday, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

The Royals placed Lugo on the injured list Thursday with a lower back strain and also gave him a cortisone shot to address the injury. He'll be back to throwing after a brief shutdown. The shutdown should have minimal impact on his return timeline.

Diaz is not in the Astros' starting lineup against the Rangers on Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Diaz will get a rest day while Victor Caratini starts behind home plate and bats seventh. Diaz has gone 8-for-38 (.211) with three doubles, one home run and three RBI over his last 10 games.

Ragans (shoulder) is expected to begin his rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Sunday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Ragans has spent the majority of the season on the IL and has been on the shelf since mid-June due to a left rotator cuff strain. He ramped up his throwing program with bullpen sessions in mid-August, and the 28-year-old southpaw has progressed enough in his recovery to embark on a rehab assignment. Royals manager Matt Quatraro relayed Friday that Ragans is scheduled to pitch two innings Sunday and could ramp up his workload barring any setbacks.

Simpson is not in the Rays' starting lineup against the Guardians on Friday.

After going 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Thursday's series opener, Simpson will be on the bench for the beginning of Friday's contest while Richie Palacios starts in left field and bats in the leadoff spot. In the 26 games since returning from the 10-day IL in early August, Simpson has slashed .277/.308/.339 with seven steals, two triples, 14 runs and seven RBI in 117 plate appearances.

Olson (shoulder) has begun a throwing program, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Olson has already been ruled out for the regular season, but it's an encouraging sign that he's started throwing. He's been sidelined since late July due to a shoulder strain. If his recovery continues without interruption, Olson could be healthy at some point during the playoffs.

Brennan (elbow) recently underwent sports hernia surgery, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Brennan is still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery but felt some nagging discomfort in his groin while doing sprinting and agility drills. He remains on track to be ready for the start of spring training next year.

Dezenzo (hand) has been pulled off his minor-league rehab asssignment due to an elbow sprain, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Dezenzo had been rehabbing from a left hand capsule strain at Triple-A Sugar Land, but he's been pulled off the assignment after picking up a sprained elbow. The 25-year-old's last minor-league appearance came Sept. 2. At this point, it's unclear when Dezenzo will be activated.

Sanchez (knee) is with the team in Baltimore on Friday and will head out on a rehab assignment in five days, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Sanchez has been sidelined since early July due to a sprained right knee, but he's getting close to heading out on a rehab assignment. His current timeline would put him on track to return before the end of the regular season, but he may not have much playing time to come back to if Adley Rutschman (oblique) and Samuel Basallo are healthy.

The Astros recalled Gordon from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Gordon will start Friday's contest in Texas versus the Rangers, giving the Astros' regular rotation members some extra rest. The southpaw holds a 5.64 ERA in 68.2 innings covering 13 starts and two relief outings this season.

The Astros placed Ort on the 15-day injured list Friday due to right elbow inflammation, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Ort was roughed up in Thursday's loss to the Yankees, surrendering four runs on three hits and two walks while recording just two outs. He'll now miss at least the next couple weeks. On the season, Ort has a 4.89 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 49:27 K:BB across 46 innings. Houston's bullpen continues to be hit hard by injuries.