MLB Player News

McCusker is expected to be called up from Triple-A St. Paul before Sunday's game against the Brewers, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

McCusker will take the place of Byron Buxton, who was placed on the 7-day concussion IL on Saturday. McCusker signed with the Twins as a UDFA in 2023 and isn't viewed as a top prospect as a 27-year old playing in Triple-A. However, he's hitting .350 with 10 home runs and a 1.062 OPS in 38 games this year with St. Paul, so he may get a chance to prove he's for real with the Twins having several openings in the lineup due to injury.

The Twins placed Buxton on the 7-day concussion injured list Saturday.

It had previously been reported that Buxton cleared concussion protocol after bumping heads with Carlos Correa (concussion) on Thursday, but that has turned out not to be the case. Buxton's move is retroactive to Friday, so he'll be required to miss only six more days before being eligible for activation, and the Twins will make a corresponding move to fill his roster spot Sunday.

Carter has been removed from the starting lineup for Saturday's game against Houston due to a quadriceps injury.

Carter was originally slated to start in center field, but he's since been replaced by Sam Haggerty. According to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com, Carter is dealing with right quad tightness, though manager Bruce Bochy called the outfielder's late scratch cautionary. Landry also reports that Carter was already slated to begin on the bench Sunday, and with the Rangers off Monday, that means Carter will get three total days of rest before potentially returning to action Tuesday versus the Yankees.

Heim isn't in the starting lineup for Saturday's contest against Houston.

Heim will begin on the bench after starting behind the plate in each of the Rangers' previous two games. He'll give way to Kyle Higashioka, who returned from a stint on the injured list Tuesday.

The Guardians optioned Kent to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday.

Kent has bounced back and forth between Triple-A and the majors this season. His most recent stint with the big club was a short one -- he was recalled Tuesday and got into one game, allowing two runs in one inning against Milwaukee on Wednesday, before being sent back down. Kent's movement to the minors corresponds with Cleveland activating starter Slade Cecconi (oblique) from the injured list.

The Guardians activated Cecconi (oblique) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.

Cecconi suffered a left oblique strain in mid-March and began the regular season on the IL. He's getting the start against Cincinnati in his return to the big-league roster Saturday after topping out at 5.2 innings in three rehab outings. Cecconi will take the spot in Cleveland's rotation that had previously been occupied by Ben Lively, who landed on the injured list Tuesday due to a right flexor strain.

Wagner (foot) was placed on Triple-A Buffalo's 7-day injured list Saturday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Wagner hasn't played since May 10 due to foot soreness, though recent reports suggested he could return soon. Instead, the 26-year-old will sit for at least another week in order to give the ailing foot additional rest. Wagner began the season with the big-league club but was sent down to Triple-A in late April after posting a meager .504 OPS over 68 plate appearances.

Castro (knee) isn't in the starting lineup for Saturday's game versus Milwaukee.

Castro was pulled early from Friday's game against the Brewers after fouling a ball off his knee in the first inning. Though he was able to finish his at-bat, the utility man was replaced in the field for the following frame and will now be held out of the lineup for at least one game. Castro had started in left field Friday with Harrison Bader out of action while battling a groin injury, but Bader is back starting in left Saturday.

Bader (groin) is starting in left field and batting seventh Saturday versus the Brewers.

A groin issue caused Bader to sit both Thursday and Friday after he was pulled early during the second game of a twin bill Wednesday. However, the injury doesn't appear to be severe, as Bader is back starting Saturday. Willi Castro -- who started in left field in Bader's stead Friday -- is out of the lineup Saturday while he deals with a knee injury.

Buxton (head) is not in the lineup for Saturday's game versus Milwaukee.

Buxton will begin on the bench for a second straight game following Thursday's collision with Carlos Correa. While Correa was diagnosed with a concussion, Buxton has cleared concussion protocol, though it's not clear if he could be used off the bench. With Buxton out of the lineup Saturday, DaShawn Keirsey is getting a second consecutive start in center field.