MLB Player News

Jansen (forearm) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco on Tuesday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Jansen has been sidelined since early June while recovering from a right forearm injury, but he's all set to return to game action this week. The catcher was eligible to be activated from the 60-day injured list Wednesday, so whenever the team feels like he has shaken off the rust and gotten back up to speed, he'll be able to return to the major-league roster. Considering how long he's been out, it wouldn't be a surprise if he requires a lengthy rehab assignment, but a return to the Rangers before the end of August appears likely.

LaViolette was promoted to Double-A Akron on Sunday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

LaViolette will make the jump to the Double-A level after posting a .238 average with 19 home runs, 69 RBI, 67 runs scored and 11 stolen bases over 332 at-bats in 83 contests with High-A Lake County this season. The 22-year-old was selected 27th overall by Cleveland in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, and he'll now have the chance to prove himself against tougher competition.

Smith is out of the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Smith will head to the bench after he went 3-for-7 with two solo home runs, a walk and three runs scored over the first two games of the series. Taylor Trammell will slot in as Houston's right fielder while LaMonte Wade will enter the lineup in left field in the series finale in San Diego.

Alexander (undisclosed) has struck out eight and allowed four earned runs on eight hits and three walks over eight innings between two appearances for Triple-A Sugar Land since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list July 30.

The 33-year-old righty was stuck on Sugar Land's IL for about six weeks due to an unspecified injury. Alexander possesses a spot on the Astros' 40-man roster, but he's unlikely to get a look in the big leagues in the near future unless Houston loses multiple starters or long relievers to injury.

Kimbrel agreed to a one-year contract with the Royals on Sunday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Kimbrel elected to become a free agent Thursday after being designated for assignment by the Rays earlier in the week, and he has now found a new home in Kansas City. The veteran right-handed reliever has appeared in 33 major-league contests with the Mets and Tampa Bay this season, posting a 4.81 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with 32 punchouts over 33.2 innings. He'll likely begin his time with the Royals in a low-leverage role.

Rutschman (wrist) will travel with the Red Sox to Toronto and will go through a series of workouts to gauge the progress of his rehab assignment, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Rutschman reported to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday and went 1-for-5 with two walks, a double, two RBI and two runs in his two rehab games with the Woo Sox. He caught just five frames Saturday and served as the designated hitter Sunday, and it remains to be seen if the Red Sox will reinstate him without Rutschman having caught a full game. He won't be activated from the injured list Monday but could make his debut for Boston later in the week if his workouts go well.

The Athletics claimed Rashi off waivers from the Twins on Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Las Vegas.

The right-hander was designated for assignment by the Twins on Friday and will now take on a 40-man roster spot with a new organization. Rashi started the season with Arizona, surrendering four earned runs in three big-league appearances. He's seen the bulk of his action at the Triple-A level, registering a 2.49 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 49:21 K:BB over 43.1 innings.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that Garcia (hand) could resume his rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha as soon as Wednesday, Pete Grathoff of The Kansas City Star reports.

Garcia was scheduled to take part in fielding drills Sunday, and if the workout goes well, he'll get the green light to return to action at Triple-A after he was previously pulled off his assignment when he experienced renewed discomfort in his strained left hand following a July 28 appearance. Nick Loftin has been serving as the Royals' primary third baseman in recent weeks, but he'll likely be ticketed for a utility role once Garcia completes his rehab assignment and is ready for activation.

The Rays recalled Grove from Triple-A Durham on Sunday, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

The right-hander was sent to Durham on Tuesday but will quickly return to the majors since Griffin Jax (elbow) was placed on the injured list. Grove has made two appearances for Tampa Bay this season and has given up two earned runs with a 4:0 K:BB over five innings.

The Tigers announced Friday that Carpenter (foot) has begun a full progression of hitting, running and playing defense, MLB.com reports.

Carpenter received a cortisone injection July 28 to address right foot plantar fasciitis, and the shot appears to have yielded the desired effect. The 29-year-old has been fitted for orthotic shoes with the hope that it will combat future foot problems as he begins ramping back up for a return from the injured list. Carpenter could be ready to rejoin the Tigers by next weekend if all goes well during his upcoming workouts, though the club may prefer to send him out on a brief minor-league rehab assignment prior to activating him.