MLB Player News

Alvarez (hand) hit off a tee Sunday and is scheduled to do so again Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

It's the first time he's swung a bat since an MRI on his right hand in late May revealed a previously undiagnosed fracture. Alvarez has been shelved since early May and will need to go through a hitting progression and likely a rehab assignment before returning to the Astros' active roster.

Varsho reported tightness in his hamstring while running the bases Monday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Varsho has been on the injured list since the start of June with a left hamstring strain. The Blue Jays will now ease up on his running progression following his latest setback, which will likely delay the start of his rehab assignment by a few days. A timeline for his return to Toronto will likely become clearer once he begins playing minor-league games.

The Astros transferred Leon (knee) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Jordan Weems. It does not alter the timeline for Leon, who has been out all season with a sprained knee and who suffered a setback on his rehab assignment earlier this month.

The Astros selected Weems' contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Weems was just signed to a minor-league deal earlier this month and receives a promotion after allowing five runs with a 10:6 K:BB over 11.1 innings with Sugar Land. He'll likely operate in low-leverage situations.

The Astros placed Dubin on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right forearm strain, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Dubin last pitched Friday against the Angels and evidently got hurt during that outing. He'll be eligible to return July 6, but given the nature of the injury, it could take him longer than that.

Dominguez is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game in Cincinnati.

Dominguez is one of a handful of Yankees players to see their playing time cut since Giancarlo Stanton was activated, as Dominguez has now started five of nine contests since Stanton returned. Cody Bellinger is in left field Tuesday.

Barger is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game at Cleveland.

Barger sat out Saturday's game due to hip discomfort before returning to the lineup Sunday, but he finds himself back on the bench for Tuesday's series opener versus the Guardians. It has yet to be reported that the 25-year-old has aggravated the injury, so it may simply be a rest day. Jonatan Clase is starting in right field and batting seventh Tuesday for Toronto.

Stanton is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game in Cincinnati.

Stanton has been on a two-on, one-off plan since returning from the injured list, and it's his turn to sit out Tuesday after starting the previous two days. Ben Rice is at designated hitter and batting second for the Yankees.

Caratini is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Phillies.

Caratini has played more often than not since Yordan Alvarez (hand) was injured, rotating between designated hitter, catcher and occasionally first base. He'll take a seat Tuesday, though, as Jose Altuve serves as the Astros' DH and Yainer Diaz does the catching.

Tauchman (groin) will start at designated hitter and bat leadoff in Tuesday's game versus the Diamondbacks.

Tauchman missed each of the previous four contests with a groin injury but is feeling well enough to serve as a DH on Tuesday. It's not clear when he will be available to play the outfield. Michael Taylor will patrol right field and bat ninth Tuesday.