MLB Player News

Pena was removed from Friday's game against the Cubs due to left rib soreness, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pena was hit by a pitch to his left rib area during the second inning, and he initially stayed in the game until the fifth inning, when Mauricio Dubon came in to pinch hit. Pena will undergo further tests, and an update on his injury should be made available during or shortly after the conclusion of Friday's contest.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Stroman (knee) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's series finale versus the Athletics at Yankee Stadium, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Stroman has been on the shelf since April 12 due to left knee inflammation, and while he has struggled during his rehab assignment, the Yankees will have a spot available for him in the rotation after Ryan Yarbrough (oblique) was placed on the 15-day IL last week. Over his three minor-league rehab outings, Stroman was roughed up to the tune of a 6.97 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 9:5 K:BB over 10.1 innings. He maxed out at 3.2 innings and 65 pitches over those three starts, so Stroman will likely be under a light workload restriction Sunday. Given his struggles during his rehab assignment and his underwhelming numbers with the Yankees overall since signing with the team in free agency in January 2024, Stroman won't make for a reliable streaming option against the Athletics.

Williams earned the save in Friday's 3-0 win over the Athletics, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth inning.

Williams had another strong outing out of the bullpen, using 15 pitches (11 strikes) to retire the side. The 30-year-old closer has registered six saves in June and has not yielded a run over his last eight outings. Williams now sports a 4.75 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 38:12 K:BB across 30.1 innings this season, and for the time being, he appears to be the Yankees' preferred closer over Luke Weaver.

Westburg (finger) was removed in the second inning of Friday's game against the Rays due to left hand discomfort, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Westburg appeared to suffer the injury while sliding head-first into second base on a double. He initially stayed in to run the bases but was replaced by Ramon Urias in the second frame. Westburg will undergo further testing, and the Orioles should have an update during or shortly after Friday's game.

The Rangers placed Langford on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to June 25, due to a left oblique strain.

Langford underwent testing on his left side earlier this week, which revealed a mild strain in his oblique. He's eligible to return from the IL on July 5, but oblique strains tend to take longer to heal, and Langford may need to get some reps on a rehab assignment before being cleared to return to the majors. Alejandro Osuna is starting in left field in Friday's game against the Mariners and should see more playing time for as long as Langford is sidelined. Michael Helman was recalled by the Rangers from Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move.

The Rangers recalled Helman from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Helman will make his Rangers debut after being claimed by Texas on May 19. Since then, he's slashed .246/.306/.451 at Triple-A with five home runs and six stolen bases. He'll take Wyatt Langford's (oblique) spot on the active roster. Helman is likely to mix in at center field and left field, though he'll have to compete with the likes of Evan Carter, Alejandro Osuna and Sam Haggerty for playing time.

The Rangers optioned Dunning to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Dunning's demotion makes room on the 26-man roster for Nathan Eovaldi (triceps), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start against the Mariners on Friday. Dunning worked out of the Rangers' bullpen against the Orioles on Monday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out two batters across two innings.

The Rangers reinstated Eovaldi (triceps) from the 15-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Mariners.

Eovaldi returns from the injured list without going on a rehab assignment. The 35-year-old threw 50 pitches in three simulated innings last week. While he may not reach his typical pitch count, Eovaldi doesn't appear to be facing any major restrictions. Prior to sustaining the injury, Eovaldi logged a 1.56 ERA across 69.1 innings. His activation will boot Dane Dunning from the 26-man roster.

Roden is not in the Blue Jays' starting lineup against the Red Sox on Friday.

Roden was initially slated to start in right field and bat ninth, but he's been booted from the starting lineup in place of Vladimir Guerrero (forearm). Guerrero will start at first base, which will shift Ernie Clement to third and Addison Barger to right field.

Guerrero (forearm) is now playing first and batting third Friday against Boston, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Guerrero wasn't initially in Friday's lineup due to a bruised right forearm, but after he hit in the cage, the Blue Jays opted to insert the first baseman into their starting nine, according to Hazel Mae of Sportsnet. Alan Roden was bumped from the lineup to make way for Guerrero.