MLB Player News

Massey is absent from the lineup for Friday's game in Detroit.

Ace left-hander Tarik Skubal is toeing the rubber for the Tigers, so it makes sense for Massey to be sitting this one out. Vinnie Pasquantino is getting a start at designated hitter while Salvador Perez occupies first base.

The Rays placed Palacios on the 10-day injured list Friday with a right knee sprain, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Palacios suffered the injury in Wednesday's loss to the Marlins. The severity of the sprain hasn't been revealed, so it's not clear at this point how long the super utility player might be sidelined. Kameron Misner is absorbing Palacios' spot on the Rays' roster.

Dingler is not in the lineup for Friday's contest against the Royals, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Since his promotion, Dingler has now started two of six games, with Jake Rogers getting the call behind the plate for the other four. The rookie catcher is 1-for-6 with a 3:1 K:BB in his first seven major-league plate appearances.

The White Sox claimed Varland off waivers and optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.

The right-hander was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Tuesday, and the White Sox utilized their No. 1 spot in the waiver order to bolster their relief depth. Varland allowed two earned runs over six innings for Los Angeles but has struggled to a 7.99 ERA in 28 outings at Triple-A this year.

The Astros claimed Junk off waivers from the Brewers on Friday and optioned him to Triple-A Sugar Land, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Junk has allowed six runs in eight innings in the majors this season but holds a 2.55 ERA and 35:15 K:BB across 35.1 frames at the Triple-A level. He's been pitching in relief exclusively since May, but Junk does have extensive starting pitcher experience and it's not clear what role the Astros have planned for him.

Bradford could make a spot start Saturday against the Red Sox, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The Rangers will likely turn to Bradford or Dane Dunning for the start, or they could deploy the two in a piggyback arrangement if neither is needed in relief during Friday's game. Bradford returned from a long stint on the injured list earlier this week and was roughed up for five earned runs in two innings in a relief outing Tuesday.

Santander went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 10-3 loss to the Guardians.

Little went right for the Orioles in this game, but Santander kept his power surge going with his fifth homer over the last nine contests. The outfielder is batting .306 (11-for-36) in that span. He's up to 32 homers -- one off his career high from 2022 -- while adding 74 RBI, 64 runs scored, one stolen base and a .248/.314/.538 slash line over 105 games this season. He's hit 23 of his 32 homers since the start of June.

Dunning is an option to make a spot start Saturday versus the Red Sox, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

McFarland lists Dunning and Cody Bradford as the most logical options to make the start and the decision could hinge on whether either of them are needed in relief Friday. Whoever makes the start is likely to return to the bullpen after, as Tyler Mahle (elbow) is due to return next week. Dunning has made two relief appearances since returning from a shoulder injury last week, allowing four runs over 4.1 innings.

Rodriguez aggravated his right thumb strain during his rehab assignment and has not played since July 8.

He played in two rehab games July 6 and July 8 for the Florida Complex League Twins but has been on the shelf for four weeks since aggravating the injury. There hasn't been any word from the Twins about Rodriguez's timetable to resume his rehab assignment.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Verlander (neck) will throw a bullpen session in the next few days before heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

Espada said Verlander faced hitters for "between 27 and 30 pitches" Tuesday in Houston, with the right-hander's fastball velocity peaking around 94 miles per hour. Verlander looks poised to throw again Friday or Saturday, and if all goes well, he'll likely report to an affiliate shortly thereafter. The 41-year-old has been on the injured list since June 18 with neck stiffness, but he may need just one start in the minors before Houston is comfortable reinserting him into its rotation.