MLB Player News

Sousa (oblique) will throw a live batting practice session next week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

It will be his first time facing hitters since he suffered a Grade 1 left oblique strain in his final spring training appearance. He's eligible to be activated from the 15-day injured list next week and the Astros have been optimistic that Sousa won't need more than a minimum stay on the IL, so it's possible he skips a rehab assignment.

Cease won't start Thursday against the White Sox after the game was postponed to Friday due to a forecast of inclement weather in Chicago.

The Blue Jays are likely to push Cease and the rest of their rotation back a day as a result of the postponement, so the right-hander should still be lined up to start the series opener Friday.

Burke won't start Thursday against the Blue Jays after the game was postponed to Friday due to a forecast of inclement weather in Chicago.

The White Sox are likely to push Burke and the rest of their rotation back a day as a result of the postponement, so the right-hander should still be lined up to start the team's home opener Friday.

Pearson (elbow) has progressed to throwing a live batting practice session, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Pearson developed soreness in his surgically repaired right elbow a month ago and has been brought along slowly since then. That he's now facing hitters suggests a rehab assignment could be right around the corner. Pearson signed with the Astros over the offseason with the intent to be a starting pitcher, but his best path to a role right now is as a reliever.

Peters will start in center field and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

Austin Hays will rest for the series finale, opening up room in the outfield for Peters. The 26-year-old will be making his fifth consecutive start, after opening the season by going 4-for-12 with a double, a stolen base, a run and a 2:6 BB:K. Though Peters isn't necessarily locked into an everyday role, the White Sox could continue to open up starts for him by building in occasional rest days for veterans such as Hays and Andrew Benintendi.

Torkelson is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Arizona.

Torkelson will receive his first day off of the season after going 3-for-20 with eight strikeouts through five games. Colt Keith will get a start at first base for the Tigers in Wednesday's series finale.

Varsho is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

With a lefty (Kyle Freeland) on the hill for Colorado and the Blue Jays wrapping up their season-opening homestand with a day game after a night game, the left-handed-hitting Varsho will receive a breather Wednesday. Myles Straw will step in for Varsho in center field and will bat eighth.

Lukes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

The left-handed-hitting Lukes has started in just two of the Blue Jays' first six games, with two of his absences coming against lefties and two coming against righties. Toronto will go with a starting outfield of Davis Schneider, Myles Straw and Jesus Sanchez from left to right in the series finale versus Colorado.

Pena (finger) could be ready to play in back-to-back games this weekend, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Pena managed to avoid an injured list stint but has started every other game so far this season as the Astros ease him back into action following a fractured right ring finger. The 28-year-old is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox and the Astros are idle Thursday, so he could be ready to play back-to-back contests as soon as Friday and Saturday against the Athletics.

Barger is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

After sitting against right-handed starter Ryan Feltner on Tuesday, the left-handed-hitting Barger will remain on the bench for the series finale while southpaw Kyle Freeland takes the hill for Colorado. Jesus Sanchez will spell Barger in right field and will bat seventh.