MLB Player News

The Red Sox optioned Shugart to Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Shugart made one relief appearance during his first stint in the majors, allowing one run over 2.2 innings. He's making room on the roster for the return of Cooper Criswell, who was activated from the COVID-19 injured list.

The Red Sox activated Criswell from the COVID-19 injured list Friday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Criswell was unavailable for the past week due to the virus but is expected to serve as a bulk reliever in Friday's game against the Orioles, following opener Brennan Bernardino. James Paxton's likely season-ending calf injury opens up the fifth spot in the Red Sox' rotation and Criswell is the current favorite to fill it, although Rich Hill could eventually be in the mix after he was inked to a minor-league deal Friday.

The Red Sox activated Casas (ribs) from the 60-day injured list Friday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Casas will make his long-awaited return to the major-league roster after missing nearly four months of action with a cartilage tear in his left ribcage. He is starting at first base and batting third in Friday's game in Baltimore.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Friday that Suarez is likely to start Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Suarez was initially on track to take the hill Saturday, but the Orioles will bring up Cade Povich from Triple-A Norfolk to make a spot start that day, giving Suarez and the rest of the members of the Orioles rotation some extra rest. Hyde said that he does not plan at this time to move to a six-man rotation, so Povich may be sent back to Triple-A or shift to the bullpen after Saturday's outing. Suarez could eventually shift to the bullpen as well, but a move to a relief role doesn't seem to be imminent.

The Astros selected Whitcomb's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Whitcomb has slashed .293/.378/.530 slash line in 108 games with Sugar Land this season, popping 25 home runs and stealing 26 bases along the way, and he led the entire minors leagues with 35 homers in 2023. He can play all over the infield and has also been used some in the outfield this year. Whitcomb could initially see his reps at third base with Alex Bregman (elbow) banged up, but first base is another option since it's been a weak spot for the Astros. The 25-year-old is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the White Sox.

Bregman is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the White Sox due to swelling in the back of his right elbow, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Bregman has been on a tear at the plate recently, logging multiple hits in six of his last eight games, but the hot streak will be put on pause as he tends to swelling in the elbow of his throwing arm. At this point, it's unclear how severe the injury is, but expect the Astros to err on the side of caution with the 30-year-old.

Rodriguez (ankle) is batting fourth and playing DH on Friday at Pittsburgh.

Rodriguez tweaked his right ankle Wednesday and was held out of the starting lineup for Thursday's contest. However, he'll return to the lineup for the series opener against Pittsburgh. The 23-year-old is slashing .263/.313/.371 across 425 plate appearances this season.

Brieske will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher in Friday's game against the Yankees, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

It's the third straight assignment as an opener for Brieske, and he went a combined 4.1 scoreless innings in the first two. The former starter is capable of going deeper into games than most openers, but the role still limits his fantasy utility. Brant Hurter is a likely candidate for bulk relief Friday.

Keith is "banged up a little bit" according to manager A.J. Hinch and is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Yankees, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

After starting seven consecutive games, Keith will get the night off to rest and recover. This late in the season, it's not abnormal for players to be dealing with minor aches and pains, as seems to be the case with Keith. Zach McKinstry will bat seventh and play second base for Friday's series opener.

Siri is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Siri is on the bench for the fourth time in eight games, with Kameron Misner taking care of center field Friday. Siri is hitless with nine strikeouts in his last 14 at-bats.