MLB Player News

Palacios is not in the Rays' starting lineup against the Astros on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Ben Williamson will start at second base and bat seventh against Astros right-hander Spencer Arrighetti in Friday's series opener. Palacios has gone 1-for-14 with an RBI over his last five games and has a .186 batting average since June 1.

Mesa is not in the Rays' starting lineup against the Astros on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Even with right-hander Spencer Arrighetti on the mound for the Astros, the lefty-hitting Mesa will be on the bench for Friday's series opener while Jonny DeLuca, Cedric Mullins and Chandler Simpson start in the outfield from left to right. Mesa is slashing .188/.282/.333 with one steal, three home runs and eight RBI across 79 plate appearances this season.

Rodon said his UCL is intact, but he's dealing with "heavy inflammation" in his left elbow, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Rodon hopes he's not facing a lengthy recovery and mentioned a possible no-throw period of only one week, though nothing is set in stone, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Rodon was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier Friday, and it sounds like he could miss more than the minimum two weeks.

The Orioles designated Tromp for assignment Friday.

With Adley Rutschman (concussion) back healthy, Tromp is no longer needed as the third catcher. He's appeared in one game for Baltimore this season, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

The Orioles recalled Nunez from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

With Ryan Helsley (elbow) back on the 15-day injured list, Nunez will rejoin the Baltimore bullpen after posting a 4.98 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 38:14 K:BB across 34.1 innings spanning 32 appearances this season prior to being sent down 17 days ago.

The Orioles recalled Jackson from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

Jackson is back in the big leagues after spending five days at Triple-A. He has slashed .251/.267/.397 with seven homers, 32 RBI, 23 runs scored, two stolen bases and a 4:40 BB:K across 206 plate appearances with the Orioles this season. Jackson will fill a depth role in the infield for Baltimore now that Jackson Holliday is healthy.

The Orioles placed Helsley on the 15-day injured list Friday with right elbow discomfort.

Helsey felt discomfort in his elbow while warming up in the bullpen Wednesday, and he'll now miss at least the next couple weeks. The right-hander missed seven weeks with elbow inflammation earlier this season and just returned from the injured list two weeks ago. Rico Garcia figures to be next in line for saves for Baltimore.

Walker (back) is batting fourth and playing first base Friday against the Rays.

Walker was removed from Wednesday's game against the Twins with lower-back stiffness, but Thursday's off day provided enough rest for the slugger. Walker is slashing .239/.310/.469 with 19 homers, 56 RBI, 45 runs scored and a 30:81 BB:K across 361 plate appearances this season. However, after a hot start to the campaign, Walker is batting .210 with a .702 OPS and 93 wRC+ since the beginning of May.

The Guardians optioned Espino to Triple-A Columbus on Friday.

He'll swap places with Franco Aleman, who was summoned from Columbus in a corresponding move. The 25-year-old Espino made his major-league debut last month and allowed three runs on five hits and three walks with nine strikeouts across his first five big-league innings out of Cleveland's bullpen.

The Astros transferred Sousa (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The move was made in order to activate Cristian Javier (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list. Sousa hasn't pitched since May 4 and this doesn't alter his timeline, as he's still expected to rejoin the Houston bullpen following the All-Star break in a couple weeks. He's working his way back from elbow inflammation.