MLB Player News

The Athletics optioned Otanez to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Otanez started the season on the IL before being activated May 13. He's struggled since joining the active roster, yielding eight runs with a 6:5 K:BB in 5.1 innings spanning six appearances. The 27-year-old will look to get back on track in Las Vegas. The recently acquired Sean Newcomb will take Otanez's spot on the 26-man roster.

Castro is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

After making seven consecutive starts, Castro is on the bench for Wednesday's series finale. Brooks Lee will slot in at second base while Trevor Larnach, DaShawn Keirsey and Kody Clemens fill the outfield from left to right.

Bader (finger) isn't part of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

Bader is absent from the starting nine for a third consecutive game due to a sore finger. Trevor Larnach will patrol left field while DaShawn Keirsey and Kody Clemens fill center and right field, respectively. Minnesota will have an off day Thursday before starting a three-game weekend series against the Mariners.

The Guardians optioned Enright back to Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday.

Enright made his MLB debut Monday and appeared in a pair of contests during his first big-league stint, allowing three runs on four hits and a walk with four strikeouts over three innings. However, he'll head back to Columbus, yielding his spot on the active roster to Andrew Walters.

The Guardians recalled Walters from Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday.

Walters will make his 2025 MLB debut when he gets into a game. The 24-year-old has appeared in 12 games with Columbus this season, logging a 1.50 ERA and 23.9 K:BB over 12 innings. Nic Enright was optioned to Columbus in a corresponding move.

Scherzer (thumb) threw a 45-pitch bullpen session Monday and is expected to face hitters in live batting practice in Toronto on Thursday or Friday, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.

The bullpen session was Scherzer's second in three days, and with both going off without a hitch, he looks set to take the next step forward in his recovery by facing hitters. Scherzer will likely need to throw multiple live sessions before the Blue Jays map out a rehab assignment for the veteran right-hander, who has been on the injured list since March 30 due to right thumb inflammation.

Houck (elbow) has continued his throwing program this week but is not yet considered close to beginning a rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

After being placed on the 15-day injured list May 14 due to a right flexor pronator strain, Houck was cleared to resume throwing late last week and will continue to work toward a rehab assignment. He's not expected to be ready to return from the IL until late June or early July, and it's unclear what sort of role he might fill for the Boston pitching staff once he's activated. Before getting shut down with the injury, Houck's spot in the rotation appeared to be in jeopardy after he turned in an 8.04 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 32:17 K:BB in 43.2 innings through his first nine starts.

Vargas went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and three RBI in Tuesday's 6-4 loss to the Mets.

The 25-year-old gave the White Sox a quick lead with a two-run homer in the first-inning off Tylor Megill, but Jonathan Cannon squandered it in the bottom of the frame and Chicago never recovered. Vargas has banged out an extra-base hit in four straight games, and over his last 14 contests he's slashing a dazzling .310/.328/.724 with six doubles and six home runs among his 18 hits.

Murphy (elbow) reported to High-A Greenville on Tuesday and could begin a rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

Murphy underwent Tommy John surgery last April and appears to have reached the point in his rehab that he's ready to test himself in a game setting. He'll likely need most of the 30-day rehab window to knock off some rust before the Red Sox bring him back from the 60-day injured list.

Cannon (2-6) took the loss Tuesday as the White Sox fell 6-4 to the Mets, coughing up five runs on nine hits and a walk over 5.2 innings. He struck out four.

Four of the hits off Cannon went for extra bases, including first-inning homers by Pete Alonso and Jared Young. It's the first time since April 10 that Cannon has been taken deep more than once, and the first time since April 21 the right-hander has been charged with more than three earned runs. Despite Tuesday's stumble, he'll take a respectable 4.15 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 46:18 K:BB through 60.2 innings into his next outing, which is lined up to come at home early next week against the Tigers.