MLB Player News

King is likely to move into a setup role with the Astros in the wake of the expected activation of closer Josh Hader (biceps) from the injured list Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Bryan Abreu was expected to step into the closer role with Hader sidelined to begin the season, but his early struggles opened the door for King, who leads the team with six saves. With Hader coming back to reclaim the ninth inning, King should now slide into a setup role. He's been effective with a 2.84 ERA across 25.1 innings this year, though his 1.30 WHIP and 19:10 K:BB are a bit underwhelming.

The Yankees activated Rosario from the paternity leave list Tuesday.

Rosario was away for the final two games of the weekend series versus the Athletics but is back for the start of the series against the Guardians. With lefty Joey Cantillo slated to start for Cleveland on Tuesday, Rosario will likely be in the Yankees' lineup.

Astros manager Joe Espada said on SportsTalk720 in Houston that Hader (biceps) will be activated from the 60-day injured list prior to Tuesday's game against the Pirates, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Hader has been sidelined all season due to left biceps tendinitis, but he's been cleared for activation after posting a 4.15 ERA and 11:3 K:BB over 8.2 innings on a rehab assignment. The lefty averaged only 92.9 mph with his four-seamer during his final rehab appearance, which is down significantly from the 95.5 mph he averaged last season for Houston. It's possible Hader is able to get his velocity back up to par once he pitches in major-league games, but it's something to keep a close eye on as he returns to the Astros' closer role. Houston might give Hader a few low-leverage outings before throwing him back into the ninth inning.

Ragans (elbow) resumed playing catch Monday, MLB.com reports.

Ragans was shut down after not feeling well in the aftermath of his rehab start with Triple-A Omaha on May 23, but he has since resumed throwing. The southpaw landed on the injured list May 8 due to a left elbow impingement and had made good progress in his recovery before the setback. Resuming throwing is a positive first step, though the next stages of his rehab remain unclear, and he's without a timeline for a return from the IL.

Fermin was charged with a blown save against Colorado on Monday after he gave up five runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two batters over two-thirds of an inning.

Fermin entered Monday having tossed nine straight scoreless outings spanning 7.2 innings, though he had been playing with fire given his 8:8 K:BB during that span. The right-hander was summoned in the eighth frame Monday and again struggled with his control, throwing only 23 of 39 pitches for strikes and issuing two free passes while also uncorking a wild pitch. However, he wasn't able to maneuver his way around that wildness this time, as the Rockies rocked him for four hits, including two doubles and a three-run homer off the bat of Hunter Goodman. Fermin has worked his way up to a high-leverage role and had notched a hold in three of his previous four appearances coming into Monday, but he'll likely be a shaky option for the team if he's unable to get his walks down.

Brown (shoulder) will make his next rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brown made the second start of his rehab assignment with Sugar Land this past Friday, allowing one run on one hit and no walks while striking out five over three innings. The right-hander continues working his way back from a shoulder strain and will likely require at least one more minor-league start after Thursday before being ready to rejoin the big-league rotation.

Javier (shoulder) will report to Double-A Corpus Christi on Wednesday to begin a rehab assignment, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The right-hander landed on the injured list in mid-April due to a Grade 2 shoulder strain, but he's ramped up his throwing program over the past few weeks and is now ready for game action. Javier will likely require a few starts in the minors before being cleared to rejoin the Astros.

The Rangers sent Seager (back) to Double-A Frisco on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment.

Seager's recovery from lower-back inflammation has come along more slowly than anticipated, but he's finally been cleared to test himself in a game setting. As long as he's able to avoid setbacks, Seager should be ready to rejoin the Rangers' active roster later this week. He's been on the shelf since mid-May due to the injury.

Jax (1-4) took the loss Monday against the Tigers, allowing six runs on seven hits and one walk in four innings. He struck out five.

Jax was trending up since joining Tampa Bay's starting rotation, but Monday's performance was a big step backward. After giving up two runs or fewer in each of his last six starts, the 31-year-old right-hander surrendered a season-worst seven hits (three home runs) and six runs. Jax will take a shaky 4.76 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 32:16 K:BB over 34 innings into his next scheduled outing over the weekend on the road against the Marlins.

Massey went 3-for-5 with a solo home run in Monday's 9-2 win over the Reds.

Massey added on to the Royals' sizable lead, launching a solo homer in the seventh inning as part of a three-hit effort. It marked the second baseman's first three-hit game of the season and second homer in as many days, the first time he has gone deep in consecutive games this year. On the year, Massey is now hitting .250 with a .731 OPS, five homers, 16 RBI, 14 runs and a stolen base across 125 plate appearances.