MLB Player News

Martinez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Orioles.

He'll head to the bench for the first time since his July 4 call-up from Triple-A Columbus, ending a stretch of 23 straight starts in which he's slashed .230/.306/.368 with two home runs and two stolen bases. Martinez has largely served as the Guardians' primary center fielder and No. 2 hitter during that stretch, but he was dropped to fifth in the lineup in Tuesday's 5-0 win over the Tigers. With Martinez having now gone 4-for-25 with seven strikeouts over his last six starts, it's possible that he could slip further down the batting order if he's unable to right the ship soon.

Bibee's next scheduled start will be pushed back a few days due to right shoulder tightness, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

The righty pitched well in picking up a win Monday versus the Tigers but felt some shoulder discomfort after the outing. Bibee had been slated to take the ball Saturday against the Orioles, but that responsibility will now fall to Joey Cantillo. The Guardians have not revealed a target date for Bibee's next start, but they have an opening Monday versus the Diamondbacks that he could fill if he's feeling up to it.

Cobb (hip/shoulder/blister) will make a rehab start with Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Various injuries have prevented Cobb from pitching in the majors this season, though he could be added to the Guardians' rotation next week if everything goes well during this rehab outing. Assuming Saturday is his final start in the minors, the 36-year-old righty would be lined up to make his season debut Aug. 9 during a doubleheader with the Twins.

The Tigers activated Baez (personal) from the bereavement list Thursday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Baez has been away this week while tending to other matters but will be active for the beginning of the team's four-game series against the Royals. He's not in Thursday's lineup, as the Tigers are giving Ryan Kreidler a start at shortstop.

Melendez isn't in the Royals' lineup for Thursday's game versus Detroit.

Melendez has gone 2-for-18 with two RBI in four games since returning from the injured list, and he'll get a chance to regroup Thursday while Garrett Hampson starts in left field.

DeJong isn't in the Royals' lineup for Thursday's game against the Tigers.

DeJong went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run score during his Royals debut Wednesday, and he'll now take a seat for Thursday's series opener. Maikel Garcia will slide to third base while Michael Massey starts at second, opening up the DH spot for Freddy Fermin.

Carpenter (back) ran the bases at Comerica Park on Thursday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Running the bases is often the final box a player needs to check before they go out on a rehab assignment, so it's certainly a good sign for Carpenter. The outfielder has been sidelined since late May with a lumbar spine stress fracture, and because he's missed so much time he'll probably require more than just a couple rehab games.

Meadows (hamstring) is likely to be activated from the 10-day injured list at some point this weekend, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The Tigers open a four-game series against the Royals at home on Thursday. Meadows has been out since early July with a strained right hamstring but has played three rehab games with Triple-A Toledo, including back-to-back contests Tuesday and Wednesday. He's played the field in just one of those games, so perhaps the Tigers would like him to get a little more work in defensively before activating him, but his return does appear to be imminent. When he is activated, Meadows will resume his role as Detroit's regular center fielder.

The Orioles designated Pache for assignment Thursday.

Just six days after being traded from Philadelphia to Baltimore, Pache will now lose his roster spot with the Orioles in order to help make room for new additions Eloy Jimenez and Austin Slater. The 25-year-old Pache appeared in three games for the Orioles and tallied a hit during his lone at-bat with the team, though he still holds a middling .570 OPS through 119 plate appearances on the season.

The Orioles placed Westburg on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a right hand fracture.

Westburg suffered the unfortunate injury when he was hit by a pitch in Wednesday's win over the Blue Jays. The Orioles haven't provided a timetable for Westburg's return to action, but he could be sidelined well into September. Baltimore is set to use Jackson Holliday at second base and Ramon Urias at third base most days, but prospect Coby Mayo could eventually get called up from Triple-A Norfolk and receive a look at the hot corner.