MLB Player News

Walls is not in the Rays' starting lineup against the Astros on Saturday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Walls will begin Saturday's contest on the bench while Jose Caballero starts at shortstop and bats in the leadoff spot. Walls has slashed .228/.313/.263 with three steals and four RBI in 67 plate appearances since the beginning of May.

Aranda is not in the Rays' starting lineup against the Astros on Saturday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

The lefty-hitting Aranda was in the Rays' lineup against Houston southpaw Framber Valdez on Friday, going 1-for-3 with a strikeout. Aranda will begin Saturday's contest on the bench while Yandy Diaz starts at first base and Danny Jansen starts behind home plate against left-hander Colton Gordon. Aranda is in the midst of a six-game hitting streak and has gone 10-for-21 with one home run and seven RBI over that span.

Alvarez (hand) had imaging done following Friday's batting practice session that revealed a fracture that is 60 percent healed, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports. He will be shut down from hitting until the fracture is fully healed.

Even though the batting practice session appeared to go well, Alvarez felt some discomfort that led to the examination. Morales reported that previously they didn't see the fracture due to the inflammation in Alvarez's hand. He appeared close to making his return from the injured list, but the veteran slugger now seems likely to be sidelined for at least a couple more weeks.

Perez was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday after clearing waivers, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Perez was DFA'd by the Orioles last Saturday after logging an 8.31 ERA, 2.12 WHIP and 21:18 K:BB across 21.2 innings. He'll remain in the Orioles organization and report to Triple-A, where he'll look to regain his control and perform well enough to warrant a return to the majors.

The Blue Jays designated Urena for assignment Saturday.

Urena has surrendered five earned runs in 12.1 innings since joining the Blue Jays on May 3. Despite his improved performance after a rough start with the Mets, he'll now be pushed off the 26-man and 40-man rosters to make room for Easton Lucas, who was recalled to Toronto in a corresponding move. Urena owns a 4.78 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across his MLB career, but his recent run with the Jays may capture the attention of other teams in need of pitching help.

The Blue Jays recalled Lucas from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

Lucas was demoted to Buffalo in late April after posting a 7.41 ERA in 17 innings through his first four starts. His performance in Triple-A since then hasn't been much better (5.88 ERA in 26 innings), but he'll get the call back to Toronto anyway to replace Jose Urena, who was DFA'd by the Jays in a corresponding move. Lucas will presumably work as a long reliever while in the big leagues.

Fermin (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with the Angels' Arizona Complex League affiliate Saturday.

Fermin landed on the 15-day injured list May 15 due to a right elbow impingement. He was able to begin a throwing program last week and has progressed enough in his recovery to embark on a rehab assignment, making an early-June activation off the IL a possibility. Fermin posted a 5.87 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 12:5 K:BB across 7.2 innings prior to his injury.

The Twins optioned Keirsey to Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

The move makes room on the Twins' 26-man roster for Matt Wallner (hamstring), who was reinstated off the 10-day injured list. Keirsey cracked the Twins' Opening Day roster but saw inconsistent playing time in the majors due to his .109/.136/.156 slash line and 31.8 percent strikeout rate over 66 plate appearances. He'll look to regain his form in Triple-A, where he posted an .850 OPS with 37 steals, 14 home runs and 81 RBI in 505 plate appearances in 2024.

The Guardians reinstated Fry (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Fry has spent the first portion of the season working his way back from an elbow procedure he underwent in November. He began playing in minor-league games May 13 and went 3-for-29 with a homer, five RBI and two runs scored during his nine-game rehab assignment. Despite his underwhelming performance, the Guardians feel he's ready to rejoin the active roster. Cody Bolton was designated for assignment to create room for Fry on the 40-man roster.

The Twins reinstated Wallner (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Saturday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Wallner is set to return to major-league action for the first time since mid-April after landing on the 10-day IL due to a hamstring strain. The 27-year-old outfielder was slashing .263/.373/.474 with five doubles, one home run and three RBI in 67 plate appearances prior to his injury and will start in right field and bat fifth against the Mariners on Saturday. DaShawn Keirsey was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move.