MLB Player News

The Astros placed Leon (knee) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Leon suffered a Grade 1 MCL strain in late February. He resumed a running program and other baseball activities by mid-March and might be ready for a rehab assignment before long.

Manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that Hamilton (infection) is expected to return in early April, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Hamilton was placed on the injured list Wednesday (retroactive to Monday), and Boone's comments suggest that the 29-year-old righty will be able to return to the bullpen when eligible April 8. The Yankees will presumably look to use him in a few minor-league games before then, and he's likely in line for middle-relief duty once he returns.

The Astros recalled Gusto from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Gusto had been optioned earlier this month but has ultimately been included as part of the Opening Day bullpen. He's been a starter for most of his minor-league career and should serve as a multi-inning relief option.

The Astros selected Rodgers' contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Rodgers will start in Thursday's season opener against the Mets, playing second base and batting eighth. Manager Joe Espada noted that Rodgers is not necessarily the starting second baseman, however, as Mauricio Dubon is also expected to see plenty of playing time at the position, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic.

The Tigers placed Vierling (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Vierling was cleared to resume hitting and perform shoulder strengthening exercises Friday as the latest step in his rehab from a right rotator cuff strain. He still has a few more boxes to check before he can hope to begin a rehab assignment, but the door is still open for him to return to Detroit before May.

The Astros selected Okert's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Okert earned a bullpen spot following a stellar spring in which he tossed 10.2 scoreless innings with a 16.2 K:BB. He will be utilized in middle relief.

The Tigers placed Perez (back) on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Perez spent most of spring training rehabbing his lower-back inflammation. Most recently, he received an injection in his back and has already been ruled out for at least another month by president of baseball operations Scott Harris. With Matt Vierling (shoulder) also out, Ryan Kreidler is the favorite to start in center field to begin Detroit's season.

The Astros selected Montero's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Montero was removed from the Astros' 40-man roster last season but has made his way back on after a strong spring in which he struck out 10 batters and allowed a .194 batting average against over 8.2 innings in the Grapefruit League. He will serve as a middle reliever for Houston.

The Tigers placed Madden (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Madden has been sidelined by a strained rotator cuff in his right shoulder since early March and remains without a return timeline. Once he's healthy, he'll likely be sent to Triple-A Toledo or work as a long reliever out of Detroit's bullpen.

The Tigers placed Cobb (hip) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Right hip inflammation has plagued Cobb since the early stages of spring camp, and he didn't resume throwing off a mound until last week. He remains without a clear return timeline and likely won't have one until he's cleared to face live hitters, but he shouldn't be expected back for at least another month.